ISBN: 9780763648220
Imprint: Candlewick
Distributor: Walker Australia-HEDS

April 1, 2017

Australian RRP: $19.99
New Zealand RRP: $22.99

Newbery medallist Laura Amy Schlitz and Caldecott Medalist Brian Floca have teamed up to produce this absolutely delightful easy chapter book about a sweet little princess and a rather roguish crocodile.

Most little girls would love to be a princess but they would surely change their mind if they had to be Princess Cora. Her mother and father have very definite views on how their only child should be raised to take up her position. Her father says Princesses must be strong so Cora must skip rope for hours. Her mother says Princesses must be knowledgeable so poor Cora has to stew over the most boring books ever every afternoon. And her Nanny says Princesses must be clean so three baths a day it is for Cora. The poor thing has no time to play or do anything that is remotely fun. (Sounds like so many children who are so booked up with activities, they have no time to just be kids!)

She really wishes she had a little dog. At least that would be company and good fun.

So Cora writes a letter to her godmother – and as all good fairy godmothers would there is a swift response. But Cora’s desired pet is not a dog – it’s a crocodile!

You can well imagine the resulting chaos when the crocodile, determined to help Cora, sets about ‘fixing’ things for her.

Like all good fairy tales, this has a happy and humorous ending for all.  This is simply great fun throughout with terrific illustrations and beautiful presentation.

Highly recommended for readers from about 6 to 9, I foresee this will be a big hit in our library next term.