Common Sense Note
A valuable lesson is presented here about the way to deal with prejudice. Complemented by robust ink and color illustrations, Lyle, true to himself, wins in the end.
Common Sense Review
Reviewed By: Kevin McCaffrey
A valuable lesson is presented here about the way to deal with prejudice, however irrational, especially in adults. Clearly, Lyle is the most lovable crocodile in the world, as any kid will tell you. And in this story, perplexed by the hate mail, he tries even harder to be sweet. Most interesting, when the perpetrator is found out, it immediately becomes clear that the problem lies not with the child, but with the mother.
One five-year-old said, "I bet Clover really likes Lyle, it's just that mean Mrs. Hipple who doesn't." That observation turns out to be true--she doesn't want her daughter to play with crocodiles, and says that "nice neighborhoods" don't allow them. To underscore the issue, this is the first of the previously all-white (and green, of course) Lyle series to have multi-colored people in the pictures. But Waber keeps these complex issues child-friendly, and opens the discussion up for parents of kids who get it, but who aren't yet ready for more overt books about prejudice, such as Amazing Grace.
Confusing the issue, though, is the fact that it is perfectly reasonable for a good mother to prevent her child from playing with a crocodile. Also, Waber once again (as in Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile) resorts to the plot device of a melodramatic rescue to resolve the problem--not a practical example to follow.
Other gentle introductions to the concept of prejudice include Dr. Seuss's Horton Hears a Who and The Butter Battle Book.
Plot Summary:
Sure, Lyle Crocodile lives with humans in the city. But when he begins to get hate mail, despite a lovable and benign nature, he is dumbstruck. Mrs. Primm finds the culprit, but prejudice is harder to overcome. This is a gentle junior-allegory with a point to make.
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Social BehaviorMrs. Hipple bears a prejudice toward crocodiles. Clover Sue Hipple leaves anonymous hate mail graffitti. |
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