6½ stories about 2 surprising friends.
Having a stuffed alligator for a best friend can be surprising.
Sometimes Amanda surprises her alligator with books. Sometimes Alligator surprises Amanda by eating them.
But what happens when Amanda brings home a special—and not entirely welcome—surprise? The result might be unexpected indeed.
Beloved author-illustrator Mo Willems has created a funny and tender portrait of friendship that readers of any age will love.
An exploration of the nature of surprises between good friends.
The point of view belongs firmly with Amanda's stuffed alligator, whose patience wears thin whenever Amanda is away and he is waiting for her return, and whose generosity is taxed when Amanda brings home a new stuffed panda from a zoo visit. Resourceful Amanda plows through a stack of library books with enticing titles (Whale Songs for Beginners;You Can Make It Yourself: Jet Packs!) as her alligator thinks of ways to engage her attention. When Alligator begins chewing on Amada's head, she tells him "Books beat boredom," but he still thinks her head tastes better than a book. Alligator's worry over his price tag (he came from the sale bin) and the introduction of the new "friend" add emotional complexity to the simple friendship tale. The pacing, word volume and wide trim size are all inviting and encouraging, bringing readers close to the cozy friendship between Amanda and her impatient stuffed friend. The figures are set against plenty of white space, giving them an appealing kinetic energy and encouraging the eye to move, or sometimes gallop, across the page.
Silly, warm and inviting, the six-and-1/2 short episodic chapters are just right for reading aloud as well as for beginning readers who are steady on their reading feet.(Picture book. 3-7)
Mo Willems knows a Good Idea when he sees one. A three-time Caldecott Honor winner (for Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!, Knuffle Bunny, and Knuffle Bunny Too), he also won two Geisel Medals and two Geisel Honors for his Elephant and Piggie books. His books are perennial New York Times bestsellers, including Knuffle Bunny Free, Hooray for Amanda & Her Alligator!, and the Cat the Cat series. Before he turned to making picture books, Mo was a writer and animator on Sesame Street, where he won six Emmys. Mo lives with his family in Massachusetts.
Mo Willems knows a Good Idea when he sees one. A three-time Caldecott Honor winner (for Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!, Knuffle Bunny, and Knuffle Bunny Too), he also won two Geisel Medals and two Geisel Honors for his Elephant and Piggie books. His books are perennial New York Times bestsellers, including Knuffle Bunny Free, Hooray for Amanda & Her Alligator!, and the Cat the Cat series. Before he turned to making picture books, Mo was a writer and animator on Sesame Street, where he won six Emmys. Mo lives with his family in Massachusetts.
Meg77
Posted May 15, 2011
We are huge Mo Willems fans in our house and the truth is, he's so amazing and his books are so fun that he's set the bar incredibly high for himself. This book is cute, but not a rip-roaring laugh like an Elephant and Piggie book, nor as tear-jerking as Knuffle Bunny Free. I am not saying it's bad, but don't expect it to knock your socks off like so many other Willems books. My boys (6 and 4) still enjoyed it and my 6 year old likes that he can read it to us and the 4 year old likes feeling he's reading a chapter book. Overall it's just OK. For classic Willems, look at other titles and skip this one.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted April 30, 2012
Not as endearing as Knuffle Bunny & Elephant & Piggie books.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Jbouchard
Posted March 18, 2012
My daughter loves this book. It's both sweet and hilarious. Willems has mastered the art of writing books that are fun for kids and adults. I don't mind reading it over and over again.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.smithlights
Posted July 13, 2011
I am a huge Mo Willems fan! This book is no exception. I laughed out loud the first time I read this one, which tells the story of a little girl, Amanda, and her stuffed alligator. Both of them experience things we, and our kids, face on a daily basis. Jealousy, loneliness, boredom, excitement, and making new friends are all covered in a way only Willems can. The 6 1/2 small chapters break it up very well, and the language is great for beginning readers.
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Posted June 11, 2011
We enjoyed this story very much. It covers friendship and jelousy, yet it is fun and endearing. Another gem from Mo Willems.
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Overview
6½ stories about 2 surprising friends.
Having a stuffed alligator for a best friend can be surprising.
Sometimes Amanda surprises her alligator with books. Sometimes Alligator surprises Amanda by eating them.
But what happens when Amanda brings home a special—and not entirely welcome—surprise? The result might be unexpected indeed.
Beloved ...