After a While Crocodile - Alexa's Diary

written by Dr. Brady Barr and Jennifer Keats Curtis

illustrated by Susan Detwiler

Arbordale Publishing 2016

9781628558340  (hardcover)
9781628558357  (paperback)

Alexa and the other children at her escuela in Costa Rica have a special project: they are raising American Crocodiles. She names her croc Jefe, which means "boss", because he seems to be in charge of all the other babies. Alexa brings him chicken and frogs to eat, and writes about his progress in her diary. Soon, her little hatchling is as big as a loaf of bread. He has grown into a juvenile and it is time for Alexa to say goodbye and for Jefe to return to the wild.

buy "After a While Crocodile" HERE

"The book is formatted like a diary, with each spread beginning a new day and a new learning opportunity for Alexa. In addition to detailing her daily tasks (feeding Jefe pieces of chicken, measuring his growth, and tracking his development), the narrative incorporates general information on crocodiles… An introductory note explains that Alexa's story is a fictionalized portrayal of a real program in Costa Rica that allows young students to temporarily care for a baby crocodile. With a mixture of photographs and retro-style illustrations, this enlightening offering will entertain and educate readers."


~Kathia Ibacache, Simi Valley Public Library

from SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL