The Tale Of Mr. Crocodile Takes Tea “showcases the power of storytelling in bridging cultural and biological divides...a modern fable that entertains and educates, making it an excellent addition to a child’s library.”
In Lee’s illustrated chapter book, a family of crocodiles travels from Africa to England to expand their horizons.
The author returns to the world of anthropomorphic animals, this time in a transcontinental adventure that explores what it means to be human—even for members of other species. The story opens in an unnamed African village on the banks of the Sillibilli River, where a family of crocodiles, led by the very large Mr. Crocodile, sits down to an elegant high tea with human village leaders and an astonished “Great White Hunter.” A flashback explains how Kita, a villager, persuaded Mr. Crocodile, formerly known as Sandbank, that he was “a Person” and therefore it’s inappropriate for him to pull other people into the river, even for fun. The high-tea tradition grows out of Mr. Crocodile’s new understanding of his personhood, and when he learns that the hunter, Henry Henderson, has been targeting crocodiles elsewhere, he insists on inviting him to tea to establish their common personhood. Mr. Crocodile informs the astonished hunter that, because he’s had dreams of a friendly English boy named Thomas, he and a group of crocodiles plan to travel to England. Mr. Crocodile and his companions soon arrive in London’s Crouch End area, where they meet Thomas and quickly charm his neighbors. However, it becomes clear that Henderson plans to abuse and exploit the crocodiles during their stay. Mr. Crocodile’s resentment grows, but when he runs into a gnu, he interrogates his own assumptions about who counts as a person. He has an epiphany, and soon organizes a multispecies event to demonstrate the concept of equality.
Lee presents a story that’s highly readable and often charming, and its didacticism doesn’t overwhelm the story. The text’s frequent, idiosyncratic use of capital letters (“I will give you as fine an English High Tea as I can manage which we will enjoy together as fellow Persons,” says Mr. Crocodile at one point) adds a flavor of antiquity to the prose, which also effectively contributes to its arch tone. It’s also enhanced by the fact that the book is not at all subtle in its messaging, as when Mr. Crocodile criticizes an atlas that refers to a river as “crocodile infested” and asks Thomas if it would be fair to call Crouch End “INFESTED BY HUMAN PERSONS,” which the boy agrees is indeed inappropriate. However, the book’s subtitle, which refers to the story as a fable, adequately prepares readers for its message-driven approach. Mr. Crocodile’s big reveal will remind readers that it was the African villagers, not Henderson, who taught him about personhood. That said, the book does not fully grapple with Europe’s relationship with Africa. Also, Mr. Crocodile’s enthusiasm for tea and wearing top hats—as depicted in Hunkeler’s realistic, painterly full-color illustrations, which depict major events throughout—may remind readers of Jean de Brunhoff’s stories of Babar the Elephant and their colonialist overtones. Still, it’s a cohesive story that generally overcomes such flaws.
A message-driven animal tale that successfully engages readers while also instructing them.
Author Lance Lee and illustrator Cecilia Woods create a beautifully rendered, appealing story in The The Tale Of Mr. Crocodile Takes Tea, the fun survey of a crocodile that enjoys a High Tea, complete with sandwiches and cream scones.
It’s not just the tea which is a surprising appeal to a croc ... it’s the company. A Great White Hunter sets aside his passion for a refined social event that takes place not in England, but on the edge of an African village.
These delightful, surprising refinements add to the story of an event during which an astonished Hunter observes the crocodile, Sandbank, helping villagers. Village life is surprisingly undisturbed by the crocodiles who reside in the waters beside them.
One day Sandbank, soon Mr, Crocodile, decides that “Eating, swimming, eating; there must be more!”
Boredom changes everything. New revelations come to light, such as the thought that a Crocodile is “...a person, too.” As a Person, they are subject to the same limits as civilized humans.
Lance Lee creates a winning story in which crocodiles and people learn not just to live alongside one another, but to understand and accept their differences.
This tale is about more than sharing tea—it’s about sharing values and respect. These basic lessons about not harming others move between human and croc worlds as the story expands beyond its African village setting.
All kinds of adventures are delivered with moral insights as the traveling croc points out that, if they are to be respected, the killing must stop. After all, if this croc is dressed and talking and taking tea, crocs MUST be Persons!
Elementary-level libraries seeking vivid picture book stories that lend nicely to read-aloud and group discussion will relish the educational opportunities packed into The Tale Of Mr. Crocodile Takes Tea.
Fears are addressed through thought-provoking encounters:
“Are people safe around you?” asked Raphael.
“Am I safe around you,” asked Mr. Crocodile, “or do you see me as shoes and bags and belts and leather jackets?” he rumbled.Whimsical and delightfully thought-provoking, The Tale of Mr. Crocodile Takes Tea’s winning reflections in a delightful series of encounters translate to effective, hard-hitting, and fun family and reading group enjoyment.
The Tale Of Mr. Crocodile Takes Tea is a philosophical children’s book whose inquisitive hero models the value of asking probing questions.
In Lance Lee’s delightful children’s book The Tale Of Mr. Crocodile Takes Tea, a crocodile decides to stand up, get dressed, and drink tea like a human.
When Kita tells fearsome Mr. Crocodile that he is a person in order to prevent the creature from attacking villagers, Mr. Crocodile decides the boy is right: He, too, deserves to be treated with dignity and respect. Proclaiming all crocodiles and African villagers “people,” Mr. Crocodile confronts an English hunter, convincing him to halt his capture of crocodiles for their skin. His conversation with the hunter makes him wonder whether the humans in England are people, too. Dressed to the nines, Mr. Crocodile travels to England in search of answers and discovers that there may be more to personhood than dressing up, talking, and taking tea.
Following Mr. Crocodile’s endless thirst for answers, including to the question of what else there is to do in the world besides “eating, swimming, [and] eating,” the story is moved forward by its hero’s engaging philosophical curiosity and expanding definition of personhood. At first, he regards those who can communicate as “persons”; later, that definition expands to those who exhibit empathy. Mr. Crocodile deems a kind, caged gnu a person before he acknowledges that the English are persons, his hesitancy driven by the harm he sees humans visiting on others. Indeed, the overarching message of treating other lifeforms “as absolute equals in everything” is clear. An inconsistency arises, though: Mr. Crocodile continues to eat salmon without questioning that choice.
The fabulistic narrative unites fantastical whimsy with recognized settings, bolstering the messaging and humor. Capitalized words contribute to an air of importance around the things Mr. Crocodile values, including “Person” and “High Tea.” The formal conversations between crocodiles and humans reflect a bygone age that’s mirrored in Mr. Crocodile’s choice of wearing an old-fashioned waistcoat. The book’s diametric language choices are amusing, as when the hunter “was about to ask how a Crocodile could know when it was 4 p.m. when a Tophat rose from the river.”
Illustrations of crocodiles in human clothes adorn each page, bringing additional lightness. The crocodiles’ lifelike proportions and striking of human poses bolster realism. Natural landscapes and cityscapes alike are rendered in intricate detail: Leafy trees are heavy with vibrant yellow fruit, and the motion of Londoners in the background, who are taken aback by a crocodile stepping off a double-decker bus, is dynamic.
The Tale Of Mr. Crocodile Takes Tea is a charming children’s book in which a crocodile seeks commonalities between different animal species.
This entertaining, thoughtful middle-grade book proposes that “a person must treat others with respect” no matter their differences.
Eager to play, a crocodile named Sandbank grabs Sarita, a human villager, and pulls her into the Sillibilli River. While asking him to let her go, Sarita calls him “Mr. Crocodile Person.” Intrigued by that name, and by Sarita’s and village head Kita's discussion that every person deserves respect, Sandbank declares to his family that "Each of you is a Crocodile Person”
Mr. Crocodile later invites crocodile hunter Henry Henderson to tea, to discuss what it means to be a person. Henderson takes Mr. Crocodile and his talking family to England, supposedly to help them determine if everyone is a person, but really to create an attraction out of these talking crocodiles. While in England, Mr. Crocodile befriends young Thomas and his mother, as well as the Great Gnu. They help teach him that everyone, even Henderson, is truly a person, and so should be treated kindly.
The book nicely blends humor with these profound ideas. For example, Mr. Crocodile causes a stir arriving in Crouch End, England, swiping a rude onlooker onto a serving tray with his tail. Ordering a comically large amount of food at a restaurant, he charges it to Henderson.
The illustrations enhance the text without overwhelming it. Mr. Crocodile looks elegant in a top hat, waistcoat, and black-and-white shoes, while his brother Mudbank wears jeans, a tank top, sandals, and a backwards baseball cap.
It would have been nice to hear more from Mr. Crocodile’s family, who mainly speak in one-word responses and an occasional eye-roll. Many words are capitalized that should not be, such as “Persons,” “Friends,” Audience” and “Villagers,” which becomes distracting.
Still, this is an enjoyable and meaningful story for the whole family, offering plenty of ideas to discuss following its reading.
A tale of unity told through a Crocodile’s search for whether we’re all persons.
The Tale Of Mr. Crocodile Takes Tea by Lance Lee sees Mr. Crocodile and his family become convinced that villagers who live on the banks of the river are persons like he is when they share afternoon tea. Mr. Crocodile then sets out on a mission to decide if all people are persons too and learns more along the way.
Much like his previous book, The Tale Of The Animals' Christmas In Crouch End, this fable style children’s book sees animals anthropomorphised and displaying empathy and living companionably with those that they may not do normally in the wild and not showing the behaviour you'd normally expect from those animals. I think that the inclusion of Mr. Crocodile highlights the main theme of this story of unity. That despite different appearances, everyone deserves respect and you should be nice to everyone you meet. A positive lesson for a children’s book.
The Tale Of Mr. Crocodile Takes Tea is a bit daft, there’s some moments that are quirky that will make readers smile, like the image of a crocodile emerging from a river in top hat, waistcoat and dress shoes, and I certainly laughed trying to picture how a Crocodile was even able to put a top hat on with its little arms, let alone doff it in greeting. However, the story also has a traditional feel, almost like a Roald Dahl style story- the world is as you know it aside from a couple of key elements. Stories that encourage empathy, unity and friendship despite differences, and invite care and consideration for the animals and environments around us are as vital now as they’ve ever been.
The Tale Of Mr. Crocodile Takes Tea is an entertaining and quick read to deliver that message.
Lee’s second instalment in his charming “Crouch End” series follows an African crocodile who “once upon a time — no, recently — [...] took High Tea,” among the humans in the village that sits at the edge of his home, the Sillibilli River. He dons a vest, dress shoes, and a smart hat, munches on “cucumber, egg salad, and salmon paste sandwiches,” and assimilates into the ways of humanity so much so that the people in the village dub him “Mr. Crocodile Person.” Thus, Mr. Crocodile develops “a new way of thinking about himself: he was a Person, not merely a Crocodile.”
But personhood is not as straightforward as simply calling oneself a person. Besides knowing the rule that no persons harm other persons, Mr. Crocodile wonders what it means to be a person at all. To decide who gets to be categorized as persons, he books passage to Crouch End, England, to visit a boy named Thomas who he had dreamed would have the answers he sought. Sponsored by the “Greatest Living Great White Hunter” he met in Africa, Mr. Crocodile and his family visit England, but they quickly learn that in England, not everyone treats each other with kindness and respect.
Though they depict lively scenes of lush foliage and vibrant crocodile skin, Hunkeler’s illustrations often appear flat on the page—and occasionally a bit toothily scary. (Many images are repeated throughout Lee’s story.) Mr. Crocodile’s journey offers a beautiful moral that all life has dignity and deserves respect, though older readers will note that the narrative doesn’t explore or update its colonial underpinnings, like the Kiplingesque idea of the Great White Hunter or the vagueness of “Africa” itself as a setting, as if the whole continent is like the village depicted here, rather than a specific locale within a specific country. Still, The Tale of Mr. Crocodile Takes Tea offers a perspective that may positively inspire young readers to evaluate their relationship with the animal kingdom.
Takeaway: Adventurous story of a crocodile learning to become a person.
Comparable to: Robert Munsch’s Paper Bag Princess, Ellen Potter’s Big Foot and Little Foot.
The Tale of Mr. Crocodile Takes Tea by Lance Lee is a charming children’s fable that weaves together whimsy and wisdom. It begins in a vibrant African village setting and centers on Mr. Crocodile, who embarks on an intriguing journey to challenge and redefine perceptions of identity and personhood. Through a series of engaging tea parties, Mr. Crocodile and his friends confront and question the community's and broader society's established views, promoting messages of inclusivity and respect. The narrative begins with an unusual incident that prompts Mr. Crocodile to question his identity and role within the ecosystem. As he engages with other animals and the villagers, the fable unfolds into a rich exploration of themes such as identity, community, and the artificial boundaries that often divide us. Lee's storytelling is inventive and reflective, making the tale enjoyable for children while providing enough depth for adults to appreciate.
The Tale of Mr. Crocodile Takes Tea is a heartwarming story that encourages readers to consider themes of acceptance and the importance of looking beyond external differences. It is an excellent read for children and parents, offering ample opportunities to discuss diversity, acceptance, and what it means to be a “person.” Lance Lee’s writing is fluid and engaging, and the story is easy to follow and understand, even for the youngest audience. The book showcases the power of storytelling in bridging cultural and biological divides. The Tale of Mr. Crocodile Takes Tea is a modern fable that entertains and educates, making it an excellent addition to a child’s library.
The Tale Of Mr. Crocodile Takes Tea by Lance Lee centers on Sandbank, a crocodile who, after capturing a girl named Sarita, makes a pact with her brother, Kita, to release her in exchange for hosting a High Tea. This sets off a series of events where Sandbank, now Mr. Crocodile, seeks out the human perspective on crocodiles and other creatures, advocating for them to be recognized as "persons." Henry Henderson, a hunter is persuaded to stop culling crocodiles. Mr. Crocodile travels to England with Henderson, where he meets a boy he dreamed of named Thomas and his family. Still, Mr. Crocodile grows increasingly dissatisfied with the treatment of animals during a promotional tour, and wonders if all creatures, including Gnus, deserve recognition as "persons" as well.
The Tale of Mr. Crocodile Takes Tea is a delightful little story of differences and respect, addressing the idea of "otherness" in a way that young readers can easily grasp. Lance Lee's story takes readers on a thoughtful journey that leans into how creatures are perceived and treated. The writing is quirky, and, while it occasionally bends the rules of grammar and punctuation, this did not detract from my enjoyment. Both my youngest reader and I love Cilla Hunkeler's illustrations, which are finished in colored-pencil sketches and breathe life into the pages in a simple yet effective way. The minimalist approach to the artwork gives the book a distinct, somewhat raw feel, perfectly matching the story’s underlying message. Overall, this book offers a unique perspective on empathy and respect, making it a worthwhile read for children and parents alike. Recommended.
Villains and victims, civilisation and barbarism, hunter and hunted—these are the underlying tensions in this new children's story by Lance Lee, in which Cilla Hunkeler has created a perfect cast with an unlikely hero. Eminent and formidable, yet intelligent and possessing a sense of humour, this character never comes across as jokey or detached from humanity. Hunkeler’s natural sense of colour and her innate surreal perspective in composition effectively tell the story not from a single angle but with an aerial view of each situation. This allows the reader to see what the characters in the story cannot, making it doubly engaging.
Alongside the supporting cast and cameos (such as GUS the Greathorned) Gnu , the illustrator encourages readers to make their own judgments without relying on clichés or generalisations. While the grit of the story is cleverly disguised by the presence of numerous cream teas, Parma hams, and Genoa salamis, the illustrator reveals the light of the world through her considerate execution of technique and storytelling.
What if humans and wild animals could see and respect each other as persons? Sandbank lived in the Sillibilli River on the edge of a village in Africa, alongside a large float of crocodiles. One day, bored and tired of his mundane routine of eating and swimming, Sandbank pulled a lady, Sarita, into the water to play. Sarita cried for help, while her alarmed brother, Kita, whom she had been walking with, ordered, threatened, and eventually negotiated with the crocodile to release his sister in exchange for a High Tea date. Kita achieved this feat by convincing Sandbank, who he now called Mr. Crocodile, that they were all persons, and persons should not harm each other. Mr. Crocodile, who had been seeking more from life, relished the idea that he was a person and would be taking tea with humans. In The Tale of Mr. Crocodile Takes Tea by Lance Lee, Mr. Crocodile embarks on a journey to discover whether humans are persons, and his experiences enlighten him and young readers.
When I started reading this book, I could not see a crocodile as anything but a wild animal. By midway into the book, I realized that humans also have “wild” tendencies toward wild animals. Humans are scared that crocodiles will eat them for lunch, while crocodiles are scared that humans will use them for bags, shoes, and belts. The Tale of Mr. Crocodile Takes Tea by Lance Lee is a fable, so I do not think the author was advising that humans befriend crocodiles; rather, it teaches young readers that we should treat all creatures as best as we can. This book expanded my perspective on life and increased my empathy for animals. The unique illustrations by Cilla Hunkeler added color to the story and aided my imagination.
