Common Sense Media Review
By Carrie Kingsley
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Kind, talented crocodile charms humans in a sweet classic.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 4+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
What's the Story?
LYLE, LYLE, CROCODILE lives happily in a house on East 88th Street with his human family, the Primms. They go on adventures around the city, skating and shopping and picnicking and enjoying city life. But their neighbor, Mr. Grumps, and his cat, Loretta, don't like Lyle at all. Mr. Grumps finds a way to have Lyle sent to live at the zoo, and although Lyle tries to make the best of the situation, he's very unhappy there. But one night an old friend comes to visit Lyle to help him find a better place to live -- until a new friend embraces Lyle for the crocodile he is.
Is It Any Good?
With warmth and kindness emanating from every page and lots of repetition to help early readers with sight words, this gentle classic holds up decades after it was written. Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile is a lovely book to snuggle up and read either together or alone, and it has a gentleness and easy pace that make it easy to smile along with Lyle. The way Lyle and his family treat each other and Mr. Grumps is a nice example of compassion, and the simple, sweet illustrations are an absolute delight.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how to show compassion for people who aren't kind to us, the way Mr. Grumps is in Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile. How do you know when it's good to be kind and gentle, and when it's better to be more firm and protective?
How do you think Lyle felt about rushing to help after Mr. Grumps had not been nice to him?
Is there anyone in your life you don't get along with that you think deserves another chance?
Book Details
- Author :
- Illustrator : Bernard Waber
- Genre : Friendship
- Topics : Adventures , Friendship , Animals ( Wild Animals )
- Character Strengths : Compassion , Perseverance
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Houghton Mifflin Children's Books
- Publication date : January 1, 1965
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 2 - 5
- Number of pages : 48
- Available on : Paperback, Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, Kindle
- Last updated : October 1, 2025
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