Rockabye Crocodile: A Folktale from the Philippines [Paperback]

Jose Aruego (Author, Illustrator), Ariane Dewey (Author, Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 4 and up | Grade Level: P and up

A captivating retelling of a Philippine fable about two elderly boars--one kind and cheerful, the other selfish and mean--who find their actions repaid in very different ways. "The text has a lilt and a gleam of humor...and the illustrations are among this well-know team's most engaging."--Kirkus Reviews.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

In His Own Words...

"Jose Aruego's books for young readers have earned the applause of critics, teachers, librarians, and parents -- as well as the affection of children everywhere. Mr. Aruego's comic animals are immediately recognizable as they cavort through clear, vibrant landscapes, carrying out the action that the simple text has set in motion. It is a style one reviewer has termed illustrative mime.

"Jose Aruego was born in the Philippines, where he studied law and became a member of the Bar. But after practicing briefly, he decided to come to the United States to study graphic arts and advertising at Parsons School of Design in New York City. After graduation, he worked in adver-tising before taking up the demanding job of cartooning for The Saturday Evening Post, The New Yorker, Look, and other magazines. Every Wednesday I would go to the cartoon editor with fifteen or sixteen drawings in hand, from which he might select one for publication. The tension was terrible, because selling cartoons was howI made my living. But I learned a lot from the rejected work, so it wasn't a waste.

"The sink-or-swim experience of drawing cartoons was how I learned to make the most of a small amount of space. Both abilities have helped him in his career as a children's book author and illustrator, which he began with the publication of The King and His Friends in 1969.

"Although he is known for his amusing characters, Jose Aruego takes writing and drawing for chil-dren very seriously. After more than three dozen books he feels he is still learning his craft and getting to know his audience. Each project teaches me something new and makes mea better artist. Each book brings me closer to children. From the popularity and appeal of Jose Aruego's books, it is obvious that he has both the artistic skill and the imagination to reach the world of children. His work has a distinctive rhythm, and his humorous animal characters have a gaiety and playfulness that children adore.

"I have found from making appearances at schools that when kids draw for themselves, most of them like to make funny pictures. SoI show them how to draw an alligator. It's a simple drawing and the teachers tell me that after my visit, Aruego alligators show up all over the school.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Paperback: 32 pages
• Publisher: Greenwillow Books (May 21, 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0688123333
• ISBN-13: 978-0688123338
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 7.9 x 0.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.5 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #328,021 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #10 in Books > Children's Books > Fairy Tales, Folk Tales & Myths > Asian

More About the Author

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars you get what you give, November 5, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Rockabye Crocodile: A Folktale from the Philippines (Paperback)

This ia an excellent book for young children. It has bright and active pictures to keep them captivated, and has a charming and meaningful story. Each pig gets what they deserve, the selfish pig learns her lesson, and all live cooperatively ever after.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent reading, August 19, 2005

By 

J. Antipolo (Florida) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Rockabye Crocodile: A Folktale from the Philippines (Paperback)

My son and I enjoyed this book today. The story was engaging and the drawings were cute. Nice lesson on how respect wins respect. I recommend this for 3 yr old children and up.

5.0 out of 5 stars Different Wild Animals, September 6, 2010

By 

Jennifer Schell "Jennifer Schell, Author of &... (Whitby) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Rockabye Crocodile: A Folktale from the Philippines (Paperback)

Anabel and Nettie are two opposite old boars. The author's use unusual animals but the story is very creative and dissuades one from being rude to others. In this book, the nice one finishes first and the bad one finishes last.