The 25 Best Alligator and Crocodile Books for Children's
Dive into the wild world of reptiles with our top 25 alligator and crocodile children's books – the perfect storybook for toddlers and preschoolers.
Welcome to an insightful journey through the '25 Best Alligator and Crocodile Books for Children,' written by Muhiuddin Alam on the book recommendations and reviews site, ReadingAndThinking.com.
Over the years as a leading Authority, I made countless articles many of which can be found on this site.
I have received many requests to recommend some of the best alligator and crocodile children's books. In response, I'm pleased to offer my expert recommendations in this article.
I will recommend you best children's books about alligators and crocodiles in this post, which are based on my in-depth study and testing in this field.
Some notable crocodile and alligator children's books are: Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile Storybook Treasury, A Girl and Her Gator, I, Crocodile, There’s an Alligator Under My Bed, Crocodaddy, Alligators All-Around, The Crocodile Who Didn’t Like Water, and Alligators and Crocodiles.
These aren't just the top alligators and crocodiles picture books. Below, you'll find 25 books with detailed descriptions of each of these outstanding resources, helping you make well-informed decisions in your alligators and crocodiles picture books journey."
The 25 Best Alligator and Crocodile Books for Children's
Parents in search of alligator books for preschoolers will find a few excellent choices below.
From cute animals to counting activities, While alligators may seem scary to many, we know that these alligator books will quickly become your child's favorites.
There are some great children’s books about alligators that use them as characters in fun adventures.
Looking for an alligator book for preschoolers? Try these fun books about alligators:
- May I Please Have a Cookie? by Jennifer E. Morris,
- Allie the Alligator by Tonya R. Rawlings, or
- The Wide-Mouthed Frog by Keith Faulkner.
For older children (ages 7-10), try these other awesome books about alligators:
- Spots or Stripes? by Vasanti Unka,
- Investigators by John Patrick Green, or
- The Saga by Stephen T Hicks.
So when looking for your children's book about alligators and crocodiles, consider choosing one that will entertain both you and your children.
With these suggestions in mind, here are The 25 Best Alligator and Crocodile Books for Children: Enjoy!
1. Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile Storybook Treasury
Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile Storybook Treasury by Bernard Waber
Every home should have a crocodile! This hardcover storybook featuring four completely beloved Lyle books makes a great gift.
Splish, splash. Over fifty years ago, the Primm's moved into the house on East 88th Street and found a crocodile soaking in the bathtub. Since then, Lyle has won the hearts of all he meets.
This collection features an introduction by Bernard Waber, Lyle’s creator, and four complete books:
- The House on East 88th Street
- Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile
- Lyle and the Birthday Party
- Lyle Walks the Dogs
2. A Girl and Her Gator
A Girl and Her Gator by Sean Bryan
A hilarious follow-up to the acclaimed A Boy and His Bunny, showing kids that being different can be all right and even fun!
Claire—the sister of the “boy who one day woke up with a bunny on his head”—discovers that she too has a strange new condition: When she looks in the mirror, there is a gator in her hair!
What is she to do? Panic? Run to Mother? Or, like her brother, learn to enjoy her new friend?
With endearing characters and simple, chuckle-worthy rhyme schemes, Sean Bryan and Tom Murphy, the author and illustrator of A Boy and His Bunny, have once again worked their magic.
In Claire, they have created an equally spunky and lovable character, bound to delight and entertain young children and their parents.
3. I, Crocodile
I, Crocodile by Fred Marcellino
While robbing Egypt's mummies, sphinxes, and palm trees, Napoleon can't resist bringing home a souvenir crocodile as well. All of 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 flamingos, snakes, or mongooses to make 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.
4. There’s an Alligator Under My Bed
There's an Alligator under My Bed by Mercer Mayer
The nightmare's gone, but what about that alligator? You have to be so careful getting in and out of bed!
Maybe a midnight snack to lure him into the garage will do the trick. In this funny and beloved follow-up, Mercer Mayer faces another nighttime fear head-on.
5. Crocodaddy
Celebrate the imagination and the love between fathers with a fun, rhyming, and totally original picture book. on a hot summer’s day, a young boy playfully sets out on a Crocodaddy hunt” in the lake.
Following the creature’s shadow, dark and wet, he’s soon taking a wild ride on the grinning croc’s back.
And when they leave the water, something wonderful happens: Crocodaddy transforms into just DADDY. Bright, energetic illustrations (complete with a wily crocodile in Dad’s swim trunks) highlight the story’s humor and warmth.
6. Alligators All-Around
Alligators All Around by Maurice Sendak
Alligators All Around, along with the other three classic Nutshell Library titles (Chicken Soup with Rice, One Was Johnny and Pierre), is the first board book edition of Maurice Sendak’s original work!
You loved Nutshell Library as a miniature collection, and these large board books will make it even easier for children to share with their grown-up readers.
From A to Zippity sound, Alligators All Around has made learning the ABCs fun for over fifty years. The combination of Maurice Sendak’s signature humor and artwork creates all-around irresistible alphabet fun.
7. The Crocodile Who Didn’t Like Water
The Crocodile Who Didn't Like Water by Gemma Merino
Everybody knows that crocodiles love water, but this little crocodile is different—he doesn't like it at all!
He tries his best to change, but when an attempt at swimming causes a shiver and then a sneeze—could it be that this little crocodile isn't a crocodile at all?
A hilarious and uplifting story about being yourself from a talented debut author-illustrator!
8. Alligators and Crocodiles
Alligators and Crocodiles by Laura Marsh
A pair of eyes lurks just above the water's surface. Is it a crocodile or an alligator? Packed with beautiful and engaging photos, kids will learn all about these two reptiles―and find out what makes them different.
This level 2 reader provides both accessible and wide-ranging text to encourage the scientists and explorers of tomorrow!
9. Who Lives in an Alligator Hole?
Who Lives in an Alligator Hole? by Anne Rockwell
Read and find out about alligators in this colorfully illustrated nonfiction picture book.
Scientists consider alligators a "keystone species"—the most important animal in their habitat. Without the alligator, many animals dependent on the gator would become extinct. Read and find out about how alligators are much more than big jaws and sharp teeth!
This clear and appealing science book for early elementary-age kids, both at home and in the classroom, gives interesting information about American alligators while highlighting how they became an endangered species and what is being done to preserve them and their habitat.
It's a Level 2 Let's-Read-and-Find-Out, which means the book explores more challenging concepts for children in the primary grades.
Books in this series support the Common Core Learning Standards, Next Generation Science Standards, and the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) standards.
Let's-Read-and-Find-Out is the winner of the American Association for the Advancement of Science/Subaru Science Books & Films Prize for Outstanding Science Series.
10. Alligators and Crocodiles
Alligators and Crocodiles by Gail Gibbons
Alligators and crocodiles are the world's largest reptiles and the closest living relatives of dinosaurs. In this extremely interesting nonfiction picture book, Gibbons compares the two reptiles by giving facts about both--their physical differences, what they eat, where they are found, how fast they swim how they raise their young, and more.
A great read-aloud for the interested child or a non-fiction resource for older children.
Drawings are labeled throughout with additional information.
11. How to Hide a Crocodile
How to Hide a Crocodile & Other Reptiles by Ruth Heller
Go on a fascinating nature hunt to find the camouflaged turtles, snakes, iguanas, and other intriguing reptiles hiding in the brilliantly painted pages of this book.
An artfully illustrated hide-and-seek book, part of the best-selling All Aboard series, shows how animals like crocodiles, and turtles, can camouflage themselves and features witty verses explaining their actions.
12. Crocodiles & Alligators
Crocodiles & Alligators by Seymour Simon
Crocodiles and alligators have always been one of humankind's most feared predators. Around since the days of the dinosaurs, they have probably been the source of myths about ferocious serpents and man-eating dragons.
All tall tales aside, these reptiles remain fascinating creatures. Did you know that crocodiles and alligators eat their food without chewing?
Or that they use the sun to regulate their body temperature? Renowned science writer Seymour Simon's accessible text, and full-color photos, provide a stellar introduction to these reptile wonders. Outstanding Science Trade Books for Children 2000--selected by National Science Tchrs Assoc. & Child. Bk Cncl.
13. The Magic School Bus Gets Cold Feet
The Magic School Bus Gets Cold Feet by Tracey West
The Magic School Bus was a series of children's books intended to teach scientific concepts to children. They were written between 1986 and 2001 by Joanna Cole and illustrated by Bruce Degan.
The books feature the exploits of Ms. Frizzle and her class of students at Walkerville Elementary School who board a magical school bus that takes them on educational adventures to space, under the Earth, into the human body, or to other such locations.
The books were written in the first person from the point of view of an unnamed student in Friz's class.
14. Counting Crocodiles
Counting Crocodiles by Judy Sierra
Poor Monkey. All she has to eat are sour lemons. One day she spies a banana tree on a faraway island, but the only way to get there is to navigate the crocodile-infested waters of the Sillabobble Sea.
That’s no problem when you’re a brave and clever monkey who can count to ten and back!
15. Gator Pie
Gator Pie by Louise Mathews
Two alligators consider dividing their pie into halves, thirds, fourths, eighths, and hundredths.
16. The Lady with the Alligator Purse
The Lady with the Alligator Purse by Mary Ann Hoberman
Children's Poet Laureate Mary Ann Hoberman's bestselling Sing-Along Stories are perfect for reading together, with over one million copies sold in all formats.
You know the song, but you've never heard it like this! A familiar melody with uproariously funny new lyrics is presented alongside bright, zany illustrations in this picture book that includes music, stories, and games.
These outrageous rhymes will appeal to reluctant readers, eager readers, silly readers, and the whole family together!
17. Hooray for Amanda & Her Alligator!
Hooray for Amanda & Her Alligator! by Mo Willems
Having a stuffed alligator for a best friend can be surprising.
Sometimes Amanda surprises her alligator with books. Sometimes Alligator surprises Amanda by eating them.
But what happens when Amanda brings home a special—and not entirely welcome—surprise? The result might be unexpected indeed.
Beloved author-illustrator Mo Willems has created a funny and tender portrait of friendship that readers of any age will love.
18. The House on East 88th Street
The House on East 88th Street by Bernard Waber
The first book is about Lyle the crocodile! Experience the beloved classic and inspiration for the major motion picture.
Lyle, Lyle, and Crocodile splash into the lives of the Primm family and straight into readers' hearts in this picture book that has delighted readers for generations.
As the Primms quickly discover, once you've fallen for a crocodile-like Lyle, you simply can't live without him!
19. If You Ever Want to Bring an Alligator to School, Don’t!
If You Ever Want to Bring an Alligator to School, Don't! by Elise Parsley
If your teacher tells you to bring something from nature for show-and-tell, she does not want you to bring an alligator! But nothing will stop Magnolia, who's determined to have the best show-and-tell of all--until her reptilian rapscallion starts getting her into some major trouble.
Now it's up to Magnolia to find a way to send this troublemaker home--but what could scare an alligator away?
Elise Parsley has written and illustrated If You Ever Want to Bring a Piano to the Beach, Don't!, and the bestselling If You Ever Want to Bring an Alligator to School, Don't! which was her debut picture book. She lives in South Dakota with her husband.
20. The Enormous Crocodile
The Enormous Crocodile by Roald Dahl
The Enormous Crocodile is incredibly hungry—and incredibly greedy. His favorite meal is a plump, juicy little child, and he intends to gobble up as many of them as he can!
He is sure that his “secret plans and clever tricks” cannot be foiled. But when the other animals in the jungle join together to put an end to his wicked schemes, the Enormous Crocodile learns a lesson he won’t soon forget.
21. The Christmas Crocodile
The Christmas Crocodile by Bonny Becker
Bonny Becker is the author of the popular Bear and Mouse series of picture books, illustrated by Kady MacDonald Denton, including the New York Times bestseller A Visitor for Bear.
She is also the author of a number of award-winning picture books and middle-grade novels. Becker lives in Seattle, where she writes full-time and teaches at the Northwest Institute of Literary Arts. Learn more about her online at www.bonnybecker.com.
David Small is the recipient of the 2001 Caldecott Medal (for So You Want to Be President?, written by Judith St. George), the 1998 Caldecott Honor and Christopher Award (for The Gardener, written by his wife, Sarah Stewart), and the 2008 E.B. White Award (for When Dinosaurs Came with Everything, written by Elise Broach), among many other accolades.
His graphic novel memoir, Stitches, was a 2009 National Book Award finalist. Small’s drawings have appeared in the New Yorker and the New York Times. He lives in Mendon, Michigan. Learn more about him online at www.davidsmallbooks.com.
Nancy Pearl is a librarian and lifelong reader. She regularly comments on books on National Public Radio’s Morning Edition.
Her books include 2003’s Book Lust: Recommended Reading for Every Mood, Moment, and Reason; 2005’s More Book Lust: 1,000 New Reading Recommendations for Every Mood, Moment, and Reason; 2007’s Book Crush: For Kids and Teens–Recommended Reading for Every Mood, Moment, and Interest; and 2010’s Book Lust To Go: Recommended Reading for Travelers, Vagabonds, and Dreamers.
Among her many awards and honors are the 2011 Librarian of the Year Award from Library Journal, the 2011 Lifetime Achievement Award from the Pacific Northwest Booksellers Association, the 2010 Margaret E. Monroe Award from the Reference and User Services Association of the American Library Association, and the 2004 Women’s National Book Association Award.
22. Open Very Carefully: A Book with Bite
Open Very Carefully: A Book with Bite by Nick Bromley
What would you do if you were settling down for a quiet bedtime story and you realized that a crocodile had fallen into your storybook and was — not to put too fine a point on it — wreaking havoc?
Would you slam that book shut and cram it back onto the bookshelf? Or would you be brave enough to peek?
23. Easter Croc: Full of pop-up surprises!
Easter Croc: Full of pop-up surprises! by Roger Priddy
Expect the unexpected in Roger Priddy's Easter Croc, a hilarious seasonal pop-up book that features a cast of funny characters enjoying their eggs from the Easter Bunny, and a grumpy Crocodile who goes in search of one.
The Easter Bunny has done her rounds and Crocodile has missed out again! He asks the other animals, but they aren't going to give him their eggs, so he stomps off to find the Easter Bunny. But where is she? Hiding, of course!
Croc is big, and he looks angry. But then Crocodile says something unexpected. Open the door for an egg-tastic surprise that proves nothing impresses the Easter Bunny more than good manners.
A hilarious and fun pop-up book, the surprise ending proves that the Easter Bunny really does reward good behavior!
24. The Monkey And The Crocodile
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The Monkey And The Crocodile by Joanna C. Galdone
Twice the clever little monkey foils the attempts of the crocodile to capture him.
The Jatakas are Indian fables relating to the former births of the Buddha in various animal guises.
In this retelling, he is a clever little monkey who twice foils the attempts of the crocodile to capture him. Full-color illustrations.
25. See You Later, Alligator
See You Later, Alligator by Sally Hopgood
A silly story with bright, engaging illustrations and expressive, rhyming text that children will want to read—and giggle through—again and again.
A departing tortoise has his bags packed and is almost ready to set out on an adventure, but he can’t leave until he says goodbye to each of his animal friends. The tortoise stops for every last timid mouse and bumblebee, shouting his rhyming goodbyes, making you wonder if, perhaps, he’s stalling the start of his trip.
His animal friends appear startled as he suddenly pops up on each page to say adieu—especially the perplexed rhinoceros the tortoise mistakes for a unicorn! With each farewell, the tortoise’s goodbyes get sillier and more creative. When will the goodbyes end and the adventure begin?
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About Muhiuddin Alam
Muhiuddin Alam is the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of ReadingAndThinking.com. He serves as a consistent contributor to various websites and publications, including Medium, Quora, Reddit, Linkedin, Substack, Vocal, Flipboard, and Amazon KDP. Alam personally read numerous books and, for the past 10 years, has been providing book recommendations and reviews. Find Me: About Me & Google Knowledge Panel.
