The Quiet Crocodile Goes tot he Beach by Natacha Andriamirado and Delphine Renon

The Quiet Crocodile Goes to the Beach 

by Natacha Andriamirado & Delphine  Renon

Review copy from Princeton Architectural Press

Fossil, the quiet crocodile, appreciates tranquility and stillness. However, in his debut picture book, The Quiet Crocodile, he had his patience tested when all his friends approach him in a line, one by one climbing onto his back. Part of the delight of that book, and The Quiet Crocodile Goes to the Beach, is the detailed creation of these many animal characters, from their silly names to their curious interests. In both books, the cast is presented on the endpapers, all in a line, their names above them along with a different colored dot for each one. This is important, as, in this second book, a look-and-find theme prevails with instructions on what to look for on the copyright page. 

Fossil the quiet crocodile loves the beach and almost always is the first to arrive. He loves to "contemplate the waves, look for shells, take a nap, enjoy the moment." As the text is describing a very zen experience, the pictures are showing something very different taking place on and around Fossil. Eventually, the text reveals that there is something that has been stressing Fossil out - he is scared to go in the water. Fortunately, his friends are there to encourage Fossil to overcome his fear. The story ends, "Fossil the quiet crocodile loves the beach, especially when the tide is low . . . and all his friends are with him."

A French import, The Quiet Crocodiles Goes to the Beach stands out, both for the design style and the pace of the story. Definitely a book for picture book lovers, and also for a little traveler on vacation who needs to be occupied on a plane or a train.