Baby Alligator (Penguin Young Readers, Level 3)

I disagree with the "reviewer" below who didn't enjoy Baby Alligator. (Actually, it sounds like Garret may be ready for books in the level 3 series.) Baby Alligator is typical of books in the All Aboard Reading series (level 2)--full-page, color illustrations that lure young readers to the simple text. Baby Alligator is a brief introduction to alligators and crocodiles, and the book delighted my 7-year-old daughter. She proclaimed the illustrations "very good," and said, "I sure learned a lot about alligators." We look forward to reading Clarke's next children's book.

As a former teacher and current homeschooling mother, I find Baby Alligator to be at the correct reading level for my first-grader, and at the same time full of facts that a child can grasp at this reading level. The illustrations are well-done and not overly cute. Minus one star for all the exclamation points, but this book brought us much pleasure.

Ginjer Clarke's didactic, yet simple and delightful prose, combine with Neecy Twinem's beautifully detailed illustrations of Florida's lush landscape to make "Baby Alligator" an adventurous and unforgettable read from start to finish. Geared toward children in grades 1-3, this book contains many interesting facts about our often misunderstood and sometimes feared animal friend - all told through the eyes of a baby alligator. Perhaps the final page best sums up this book: "Maybe now that you know more about alligators, you will not be too afraid of them. Just be very careful." The author and illustrator teach children (and adults) to respect and like - not fear - an animal that was almost hunted to extinction and that has been around since the time of the dinosaurs. I highly recommend this book to adults and children alike. Even I, practically a native Floridian (and much older than the 1-3 grader age group), learned many new interesting facts about alligators, with Baby Alligator as my guide.