A parent might reach for this book when their child feels small, is learning about empathy, or is hesitant to befriend someone who looks different. This heartwarming story is about Coco, a crocodile with a painful toothache who is feared by all the other jungle animals. They judge him by his big, scary teeth and run away, leaving him sad and alone. The story's emotional heart is when a tiny plover bird named Pip bravely decides to help, showing that courage and kindness are more important than size. It's a perfect conversation starter for preschoolers about looking past appearances, the bravery of asking for help, and how even the smallest person can make a big impact.
The book deals metaphorically with social rejection and prejudice based on appearances. The pain of the toothache is a gentle stand-in for suffering. The approach is secular and the resolution is entirely hopeful, reinforcing a clear moral about kindness and bravery.
Ideal Reader
This book is ideal for a 3 to 6 year old who is grappling with their own size or perceived limitations ("I'm too little to help"). It's also perfect for a child who is shy, or for starting conversations about not judging peers based on how they look or act. Additionally, it could serve as a gentle introduction to themes of visiting a doctor or dentist, using the animal characters as a safe proxy.
Parent Prep
The book can be read cold without any special preparation. A parent of a particularly sensitive child might glance at the illustrations of Coco's teeth, but they are typically rendered in a non-threatening, storybook style. The key for the parent is to emphasize Coco's sadness and pain over his scariness to frame the emotional stakes correctly from the start. A parent has just heard their child say, "He looks scary, I don't want to play with him," or conversely, "I'm not big enough to make a difference." The trigger is witnessing a moment of social judgment (either given or received) or a crisis of self-confidence related to the child's size or age.
Age Experience
A 3-year-old will follow the simple emotional plot: an animal has an ouchie, feels sad because others are scared, and then a little friend helps and makes him happy. A 6-year-old will grasp the more nuanced social lesson: judging others is wrong, true courage is helping when you're scared, and kindness is a form of strength.
What Makes It Special
While the 'unlikely animal friends' trope is common, this story's distinction lies in its direct and simple focus on bravery as an antidote to prejudice. Unlike stories that are just about friendship, this one explicitly frames the act of kindness as an act of courage that defies social norms (the other animals' fear), making it a powerful and accessible lesson for the preschool set.
Read plot summary
Coco the Crocodile is in pain from a toothache, but his requests for help are met with fear from the other jungle animals due to his intimidating appearance. Ostracized and lonely, Coco is discovered by Pip, a small plover bird. Overcoming his own fear, Pip bravely helps Coco by cleaning his teeth, relieving the pain. This act of kindness teaches the other animals a lesson about judging others and solidifies a new, unlikely friendship.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
Discussion Prompts
1
Why do you think all the other animals ran away from Coco when he asked for help?
2
Pip the bird was probably a little scared of Coco's big teeth. What made him decide to be brave and help anyway?
3
Have you ever felt too small to do something important? What does Pip's story teach us about being small but brave?
4
How do you think the monkeys and hippos felt at the end of the story when they saw little Pip helping the big crocodile? What did they learn?
