Akimbo and the Crocodile Man (Paperback)

by Alexander McCall Smith (Author), LeUyen Pham (Illustrator)

Editorial Reviews

Review

Praise for the Akimbo series:
 
"Akimbo is a very brave little boy who keeps his wits about him even when he’s being stalked by a rhino." —New York Times Book Review
 
"Satisfying page-turners that celebrate kids’ curiosity, love of adventure, and capacity to care for the world they inhabit." —Parenting magazine
 
"The tale’s brevity, Smith’s concise writing and Pham’s evocative full-page half-tone illustrations make this an attractive choice for reluctant readers." —Publishers Weekly
 
"A straightforward plot, spare storytelling and avuncular tone create a contemporary chapter book with an old-fashioned feel." —Kirkus Reviews

Product Description

When a visiting croc expert invites Akimbo along on a field study, Akimbo is thrilled. But when the crocodiles attack the guide, injuring him gravely, it will be up to Akimbo to cross a crocodile-infested river and jump start a truck to bring back help. A rousing new Akimbo adventure from bestselling author Alexander McCall Smith. Ages 7 to 9.

See all Editorial Reviews

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Product Details Reading level: Ages 9-12 Paperback: 80 pages Publisher: Bloomsbury USA Children's Books (July 24, 2007) Language: English ISBN-10: 1599900335 ISBN-13: 978-1599900339 Product Dimensions: 7 x 4.9 x 0.4 inches Shipping Weight: 1.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies) Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (4 customer reviews) Amazon.com Sales Rank: #100,332 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books) Popular in these categories: (What's this?) #16 in  Books > Children's Books > Animals > Alligators & Crocodiles #36 in  Books > Children's Books > Educational > Explore the World > Fiction > Africa This is item 2 in The Akimbo Series.

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	77% buy the item featured on this page: Akimbo and the Crocodile Man 4.5 out of 5 stars (4) $4.95
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Customer Reviews

4 Reviews 5 star:  (2) 4 star:  (2) 3 star:    (0) 2 star:    (0) 1 star:    (0)           Average Customer Review 4.5 out of 5 stars (4 customer reviews)		Share your thoughts with other customers:
Most Helpful Customer Reviews 10 of 10 people found the following review helpful: 5.0 out of 5 stars Akimbo The Innovator, June 19, 2006 By  Jon Linden (Warren, N.J. United States) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)       This review is from: Akimbo and the Crocodile Man (Hardcover) In this Akimbo book, Smith brings us an Akimbo wizened by age and adventure. Here Akimbo wishes to accompany the crocodile man who is tagging baby crocodiles in order to study survival rate in that part of the jungle. Most baby crocodiles become meals for other larger animals, and there was an interest to observe the number that survived to adulthood. On the journey, the Crocodile Man, John, actually does get attacked by a crocodile and his leg is hurt. Akimbo has to figure out a way to get his friend to hospital soon or he will bleed to death. This is where Akimbo applies his innovative talent. Perhaps Smith goes a bit further than can be expected, but Akimbo is an extraordinary boy. As always, Akimbo works for that which is right in human society. It is right to help a friend if they are hurt. It may even be a cause to break rules especially if it will save a life and not endanger any other life. This is the crux of Smith's message. Akimbo follows his instincts about what is right and wrong and uses his imagination and creativity and finds the needed solutions to his dilemmas. The book is recommended highly for children age 5 through 10. It can easily by read to younger children by parents as well. The book is a wonderful story of another adventure in the life of Akimbo in the African forest. 4.0 out of 5 stars We Will Get More Akimbo Books, November 26, 2008 By  SS "NoVA Mama" (Ashburn, VA) - See all my reviews Usually when I read to my 6-, 4-, and 3-year-olds, I find myself saying "be quiet" over and over again. But my threesome has been captivated as I read Akimbo to them over the past several days. It has a good mixture of fantasy (with a young boy hot-wiring a truck) and reality (John's crocodile bites) without being too graphic. I did not feel the need to censor myself as I was reading. We like the pictures, too. My son (the 6-year old) wants us to read Akimbo and the Lions next. 4.0 out of 5 stars A fairytale, November 23, 2008 By  Reisetante (Azusa, CA USA) - See all my reviews This review is from: Akimbo and the Crocodile Man (Hardcover) While this is actually a children's book I enjoyed it nevertheless because I am facinated with African folklore and anything to do with African culture and the beautiful animals.		Ad feedback   Most Recent Customer Reviews 5.0 out of 5 stars Akimbo Displays Courage, Cool, and Ingenuity Although this book is described as being for the 4-8 year-old group, it seemed to me more like a 7-9 year-old book that might well appeal more to boys than to girls (based on... Read more Published 13 months ago by Professor Donald Mitchell Search Customer Reviews Only search this product's reviews

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9-12
  
• Paperback: 80 pages
• Publisher: Bloomsbury USA Children's Books (July 24, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1599900335
• ISBN-13: 978-1599900339
• Product Dimensions: 7 x 4.9 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #100,332 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

  #16 in	Books > Children's Books > Animals > Alligators & Crocodiles
  #36 in	Books > Children's Books > Educational > Explore the World > Fiction > Africa

• This is item 2 in The Akimbo Series.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Akimbo The Innovator, June 19, 2006

By	Jon Linden (Warren, N.J. United States) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Akimbo and the Crocodile Man (Hardcover)

In this Akimbo book, Smith brings us an Akimbo wizened by age and adventure. Here Akimbo wishes to accompany the crocodile man who is tagging baby crocodiles in order to study survival rate in that part of the jungle. Most baby crocodiles become meals for other larger animals, and there was an interest to observe the number that survived to adulthood.

On the journey, the Crocodile Man, John, actually does get attacked by a crocodile and his leg is hurt. Akimbo has to figure out a way to get his friend to hospital soon or he will bleed to death. This is where Akimbo applies his innovative talent. Perhaps Smith goes a bit further than can be expected, but Akimbo is an extraordinary boy.

As always, Akimbo works for that which is right in human society. It is right to help a friend if they are hurt. It may even be a cause to break rules especially if it will save a life and not endanger any other life. This is the crux of Smith's message. Akimbo follows his instincts about what is right and wrong and uses his imagination and creativity and finds the needed solutions to his dilemmas.

The book is recommended highly for children age 5 through 10. It can easily by read to younger children by parents as well. The book is a wonderful story of another adventure in the life of Akimbo in the African forest.

4.0 out of 5 stars We Will Get More Akimbo Books, November 26, 2008

By	SS "NoVA Mama" (Ashburn, VA) - See all my reviews

Usually when I read to my 6-, 4-, and 3-year-olds, I find myself saying "be quiet" over and over again. But my threesome has been captivated as I read Akimbo to them over the past several days. It has a good mixture of fantasy (with a young boy hot-wiring a truck) and reality (John's crocodile bites) without being too graphic. I did not feel the need to censor myself as I was reading. We like the pictures, too. My son (the 6-year old) wants us to read Akimbo and the Lions next.

4.0 out of 5 stars A fairytale, November 23, 2008

By	Reisetante (Azusa, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Akimbo and the Crocodile Man (Hardcover)

While this is actually a children's book I enjoyed it nevertheless because I am facinated with African folklore and anything to do with African culture and the beautiful animals.