Lizzie Finlay

Ordinarily, I don't like children's books in which the main point is to teach a moral lesson. But I like this one. The art style is cute and appealing; I love the expressions conveyed by the simple lines of the crocodile's eyebrows. I like how Little Croc stays true to what he knows is right, despite temptations along the way. And I even like the very-pointed message of the three envelopes of money to spend, share, and save. I can see this book opening up lots of interesting discussion with show more children, especially because Little Croc decides to spend his "share" envelope on the "bad guy."

That said, I don't know anything about publishing and the cost of advance reader's copies, but I do have to say that I was disappointed that this one was loose pages tucked inside a dust jacket, rather than a bound book. An ARC book can be read and shared (I'd love to share this one with my daughter when she's older), but loose pages are bound for the recycling bin--it seems like a huge waste of paper to me. I'm grateful to have received the advance copy, but it causes me great environmental guilt that a throw-away copy was created for me. show less

Little Croc is playing with his friends when he finds a pink purse lying under a shrub. It's filled with coins and a "20-croc bill." His buddies are overjoyed and start listing all the fun ways they can spend the money ("We could go swimming!" "Let's get some lemonade!"), but Little Croc insists on returning the purse to the police station. "No one returns things nowadays!" his disappointed friends yell.

On his way to the police station, Little Croc is tempted several times to spend the money show more in the purse. He sees a croc collecting for charity, a beautiful pair of red boots he's been longing to buy, a restaurant selling cold drinks, and a trickster named Murdock who attempts to claim the purse as his own. Little Croc perseveres, however, and is rewarded by the purse's owner. She is so overjoyed to be reunited with a beloved locket hidden in the lining of the purse that she gives both the money and the purse itself to Little Croc.

Delighted, Little Croc marks three envelopes "Share," "Spend," and "Save," dividing the money between the three. He then purchases the red boots, gives some coins to the charity collector, treats himself and a touched Murdock to piggy banks and his friends to lemonade.

It's a touching tale of honesty rewarded (and good financial planning) complimented by upbeat cartoon illustrations. show less

Little Croc's Purse offers nothing subtle or nothing new, but I'm recommending it because it's a valuable lesson for the young set. When Little Croc finds a purse, everyone has suggestions about what to do with the money. Croc is bent and determined to find its owner. In his search to do so, he faces all kinds of temptations -- stuff to buy, other animals eager to lead him astray--but he brings the purse to the police and duly receives a reward from the grateful owner. Yes, a bit on the show more preachy side but the whimsical drawings and the decisions Croc makes in how to spend his reward money make this a worthwhile read for storytime. show less

Cute story about LIttle Croc's honesty in the face of temptation. He finds a pink purse and is determined to return it to it rightful owner, but hesitation, friendly dishonest advice, and material wants get in the way...almost. LIttle Croc makes it to the police station to report the lost purse and he is rewarded bountifully for his honesty.