Lovable Lyle

I picked up this book at a used book sale and I am glad that we found it. The language used in this book is very rich and vivid, in a style that is almost impossible to find in modern-day children's literature. It is a book full of wonderful expression that lends itself well to being read aloud or even for storytelling without illustrations. Imagine that-- a children's picture book where the text can actually stand alone! They don't publish books like that anymore! I have not felt that "I hate you" in Clover Sue's letters to Lyle is inappropriate at all. Compared to the way children DO talk to each other and the models they get from the TV they watch nowadays, "I hate you" and "your enemy" are incredibly tame! The fact is that children hear and produce this kind of language and this book is intended to confront that kind of language and deal with it, not to encourage it. The book is explicit about the effect of those simple words on Lyle, and how much they hurt his feelings and gives a model of how he and his family dealt with them. The subject matter is as timely today as it was when the book was first published. As an Arab-American family it has helped our children deal with the prejudice we have been faced with in the "post 9-11 world".

Lyle is a kind, gentle crocodile that lives with the Primm family on East 88th Street. Everyone loves Lyle, so it is surprising when the crocodile starts receiving hate notes through the mail slot. No one is able to catch the person leaving the notes, and each note expresses a growing detest of the lovable reptile. Lyle becomes very disturbed by the notes, and endeavors to be even nicer than he was before, helping strangers and using his manners whenever he has the opportunity. But the letters keep arriving. Finally, the family notices a little girl hanging around the house. The little girl, called Clover, is new to the neighborhood and runs away each time the family tries to greet her. Mrs. Primm eventually catches Clover red-handed as she is about to drop a note through the slot. But why does Clover hate Lyle so much? The story is an excellent example of overcoming prejudice. Lyle has a enemy because people tend to fear what they don't understand, not because he has done anything to offend anyone. It teaches children what harm can come from ignorance and hate. In the end, the oppressed takes the high road and triumphs while the oppressor sees the error of their ways.

Lyle suffers when he is threatened with hate mail. Overcome with fear himself, Lyle makes matters worse when he hides in a closet. The only solution to Lyle's problem is "be yourself." Only then, can Lovable Lyle save the day.

I think this is a good book to teach your children to accept people (or in this case, a talking crocodile) for who they are. It validates children's fears and handles normal feelings one might have with new friends moving in and playing with his or her existing friends. Yes, some might not feel the "I hate you" letters are appropriate. However, if your child is finding enjoyment in this book rather than hearing even more unappropriate language on Nick Jr., then I think they made the better choice! I loved it as a child, and my children love it!

When I was a Kid I used to love the Lyle, Lyle Crocodile books, especially this book, Lovable Lyle. I also used to have the tape with Gwen Verdon reading this one and two other Lyle Stories. This is easily one of the best Lyle books. In this book, almost everybody loved Lyle the Crocodile until one day Clover Sue Hipple (a new friend to young Joshua Primm) started putting hate mail under Lyle's door. Nobody knew who was doing this, until one day Mrs. Primm caught the note writer and found out why she was angry with Lyle. She invited Clover's mother to meet Lyle, only to end the visit with the crocodile falling on both Mrs Hipple and Mrs Primm. Mrs Hipple threatened to have Lyle arrested. But at the beach the next week, Lyle saved Clover's life, and won over both Clover and her mother. This is such a wonderful book, and I will always remember it because it got me in trouble once when I was in the fifth grade for sending a hate letter to my little sister's friend after she hit me.If you have children, then buy this book at once.Robert Metz [email protected]