Gus

by Liz Murray, Walid Serageldine (Illustrator)

Overview

A funny, heartfelt story about the lifelong friendship between a crocodile and the boy who becomes his zookeeper—perfect for fans of A Sick Day for Amos McGee. 

Gus is the star of the reptile house. He enjoys putting on a show for visitors, and no one adores seeing Gus more than Edward. They don’t just share a bond; they share a birthday. So, Edward decides to become a zookeeper, looking after all of the reptiles, but especially Gus. 

Over the years, they spend every birthday together, but one day Edward doesn’t show up for their shared celebration. Naturally, Gus decides to leave the zoo and find him. Don’t worry, readers. Edward is okay, and Gus is determined to make sure he stays that way. Birthday buddies and true friends stick together.

"Gus is a celebration of how much having people care about us means, whether we are very young or very, very old." - Dr. Stephanie Ward, Onscreen geriatrician for ABC television show "Old People’s Home for 4 Year Old’s" and "Old People’s Home for Teenagers."

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781922610720
Publisher:	Berbay Publishing
Publication date:	02/04/2025
Pages:	40
Product dimensions:	8.66(w) x 11.41(h) x (d)
Age Range:	3 - 7 Years

About the Author

Liz Murray is a teacher and library director from Melbourne’s south-east. She lives with three lovely boys (one husband, two sons) and loves the beach, playing board games with her friends and baking wonky biscuits. For a while, she worked in a school (not enough books), at a library service (not enough kids), and finally became a teacher librarian so she could surround herself with books and kids (perfect). She also serves on the committee for YABBA (Young Australian Best Book Awards), where she loves to celebrate Australian literature and young Australian readers. Gus is her debut children’s book. 

Walid Serageldine is a Swiss illustrator, living and working in Lucerne. He was a finalist in the Golden Golden Pinwheel Young Illustrators Competition for his debut picture book. Gus is his second children’s book.  

Editorial Reviews

"Gus so beautifully illustrates to every reader - both young and old - how friendship is an essential part of life, regardless of age. It shows us how over time, friendships can grow, evolve and adapt, but have no less meaning or value to us. Gus is a celebration of how much having people care about us means, whether we are very young or very, very old." - Dr. Stephanie Ward, Onscreen geriatrician for ABC television show "Old People’s Home for 4 Year Old’s" and "Old People’s Home for Teenagers."

From the Publisher

2025-06-13
In this Australian import, a shared birthday leads to a relationship that lasts a lifetime.

Gus the crocodile loves performing for the zoo’s many visitors, “splashing and snapping for the cameras,” but his favorite guest is pale-skinned young Edward. While visiting the reptile enclosure on his birthday, Edward witnessed Gus hatch from his egg, and since then, he’s returned each year so the two can celebrate their big day together. When he grows up, Edward becomes a zookeeper who works at the reptile house, and he continues to visit on their birthday even after he retires. Though both are slowing down in their old age (Gus often feels “too tired to splash and snap,” while Edward complains of his aching hip), their bond endures. Until the day Edward fails to show up on their birthday. Worried, Gus sets out for Edward’s retirement home and discovers that his pal hasn’t forgotten about him, but he’s physically unable to make the trek to the zoo. An understanding nursing home attendant offers a solution, bringing Murray’s quiet friendship tale to a satisfying close. Serageldine’s soft, hazy illustrations anthropomorphize the title character with aplomb; big-eyed Gus sports a diaper after hatching and wears orange swimming trunks as an adult. Sight gags—Gus getting tangled in a retirement home resident’s knitting as he surreptitiously attempts to find Edward, Edward’s crocodile-covered jammies—infuse this sentimental tale with humor.

A tender tribute to birthdays and friendship—two things that only get better with age.(Picture book. 3-7)

Kirkus Reviews