Crocodile Tears
Crocodile Tears
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Written and illustrated by André François
Translated from French by Claudia Zoe Bedrick
A New York Times Best Illustrated Children’s Book of 1956
Originally published in 1956 Crocodile Tears is a picture book from the famous graphic designer and illustrator André François that tells how to catch a crocodile by going to Egypt. And it tells how to get a crocodile home, and even what happens after that! A smart, fun, gorgeous classic!
ISBN: 978-1-59270-227-5
10.63" (W) x 3.38" (H) • 44 pages • HC
FEATURE STORY ABOUT ANDRE FRANCOIS (WARM AS TOAST, BY SOPHIE HOFFER): https://warmastoast.substack.com/p/a-toast-to-andre-francois
AWARDS AND REVIEWS
A New York Times Best Illustrated Children’s Book of 1956
A CBC “Hot Off The Press” Selection of March 2017
"As a design object, the physical book package is perfection." —Kirkus Reviews
"Crocodile Tears by the late, great French satirist and cartoonist André François from Enchanted Lion Books is a rarity that recently was rereleased along with François’ illustrations of Nelly Stéfane’s Roland and Milton and Shirley Glaser’s If Apples Had Teeth—each a beautifully recreated version of the original, back in print for the first time in almost 60 years." —The Daily Heller
"The famed graphic designer Andre Francois gives us a perfectly composed piece of children’s literature in the most perfect packaging you’ve ever seen. Long and thin is a box decorated to look like it’s come to you by post, containing a long and thin book adorned with our beloved crocodile. The cover is hard cardboard and when you open and shut it you might feel like he just snapped his jaws at you. After questioning what crocodile tears are, we are taken on an adventure to Egypt in a crocodile trapping How-To. Andre’s pen and ink styled illustrations in only black, green, and orange make this funny book nostalgic and unique. The wit is dry and the story is clever..." —The Reading Ninja
“Housed in an air mail letter box, which simultaneously masquerades as the perfect crocodile-sized container, this sophisticated story is an amusing take on children’s inquisitive nature and grownups’ equally entertaining attempts at explanations.” —Miranda Rosbach, My Bookbloom
“As an object, this book is a wonder. A mysterious parcel containing a crocodile? Count me in! Its pages reveal the secrets of catching a crocodile (spoiler: a trip to Egypt is essential), transporting said crocodile (hint: the book’s sleeve just happens to be the perfect fit.), and the realities of cohabitation (expect the crocodile to steal the show at every dinner party). If a child has ever questioned an idiom you’ve never given a second thought, this book is for you. François’s story is a delightful ode to children’s innate curiosity—and the adults they turn to for answers.” —Sophie Hoffer, Warm as Toast