A wry first-person narrative leisurely spins out a delightfully exaggerated tale about an Egyptian crocodile who was captured by Napoleon and put on display as a curiosity in Paris. The egotistical crocodile hates his new accomodations but, still, is flattered by all the attention he receives. When he becomes old news, however, he manages to escape to the sewers of Paris. True to character, breakfast, lunch and dinner are never far from the crocodile’s mind, no matter where he resides. Marcellino’s watercolor illustrations set the mmod both by givning a strong sense of time and place, and by adding flourish to the crocodile’s deliciously beguiling character. (Ages 4-8)

While robbing Egypt's mummies, sphinxes, and palm trees, Napoleon can't resist bringing home a souvenir crocodile as well. All Paris is enchanted with this exotic creature. But for a crocodile with an appetite as big as his ego, being the toast of the town has its downside, too. What's a crocodile who's used to a dinner of flamingo, snake, or mongoose to make of chocolate mousse? Oh, to return to his beloved Nile! But fickle Napoleon has other plans for our hero...

Inspired by an obscure nineteenth-century French satire, I, Crocodile is the first book Fred Marcellino has written as well as illustrated.

2000 ALA Notable Children's Book
1999 New York Times Best Illustrated Book

2000-2001 Georgia's Picture Storybook Award & Georgia's Children's Book Award Masterlist

2000 ALA Notable Children's Books