Editorial Review

Lyle the crocodile lives in a house on East 88th Street in New York City. He likes it there, and his hosts, the Primms, like having him around--he helps young Joshua with his homework, jumps-rope with the neighborhood kids, and browses through antique shops with Mrs. Primm. Much to the affable reptile's dismay, however, he makes his neighbor's cat Loretta crazy, which in turn makes Mr. Grumps, Loretta's owner, even crazier. One day, Mrs. Primm and Lyle are shopping, when Lyle--through no real fault of his own--ends up infuriating department-store bigwig Mr. Grumps who turns red and blue and purple with rage. This unfortunate eruption lands the rollicking reptile in the Central Park zoo where Lyle fights back his crocodile tears. In an elaborate sequence of events, Lyle finds himself back with the Primms on East 88th Street, a neighborhood hero, and, startlingly, even a friend of the mistrustful cat Loretta. Bernard Waber--creator of Read more

Reviews (10)

great book!
I just purchased this title for my 4 year old daughter, and she (and I) really love it!!! The title of the book doesn't really grab you but it's a sweet story about how the neighbor Mr Grumps really doesn't like Lyle, has him banished to the zoo, and then Lyle ends up saving Mr Grumps. I really like the characters in this series because they remind me of real life people that your kids will have to deal with at some point or another. My daughter was totally engaged.

A Book to Remember
I am now 21 years old and I can still remember the opening line to this tape. The Lyle books are wonderful for children and this tape is a great way to put your child to sleep. The Lyle books are truly one of my greatest childhood memories!

A crocodile just as sweet as Pogo's Albert the Alligator
A picture book with more backstory than you could possibly imagine.For many, the delightful "Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile" is a perennial favorite.I, myself, had never read it before.When first we see Lyle, he's standing in the center of Central Park (this is most definitely a New York based book) feeding the ducks.Occupying a swank apartment (you should see his bathroom!) with the Primm family, Lyle is everyone's favorite crocodile.He's polite, helpful, and wonderful at double dutch.The ever dour Mr. Grumps next door has problems with the beloved Lyle.Mr. Grumps continually threatens to send Lyle away, but it isn't until an unfortunate department store incident that Mr. Grumps makes good his threats.In the end, however, all turns out for the best and Lyle is reunited with his loving family.Read more

Subjects:  1. Animals - Alligators & Crocodiles    2. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    3. Children: Grades 2-3    4. Crocodiles    5. Fiction    6. New York (City)    7. Social Issues - General    8. Juvenile Fiction / Animals / Alligators & Crocodiles   

Reviews (1)

A child's world through a crocodile's eyes
Anyone who has ever had a birthday party as a child will be swept back to the excitement, the fears and the adventure of their first parties through the eyes of Lyle the Crocodile. Endearing and touching, any child (oradult) will lose themselves in this book. I write from memory-my motherread the Lyle books to me when I was four years old and they have stayedalive for me ever since. My sisters and myself are now buying them for ourfamilies. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Animals - Alligators & Crocodiles    2. Birthdays    3. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    4. Children: Grades 2-3    5. Crocodiles    6. Fantasy    7. Fiction    8. Hospitals    9. Picture books    10. Juvenile Fiction / Animals / Alligators & Crocodiles   

Reviews (1)

We Love Lyle
This is our first (and favorite) Lyle book.It is a cute story, enjoyable for the whole family.Of course, it has a happy ending, and Lyle is the hero.Although it is rather long, my 2 1/2 year old has memorized it, and knows if I miss a word.I highly recommend it.We can't wait to getstarted with the other Lyle books, and hope that they are as good. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Animals - Alligators & Crocodiles    2. Business, Careers, Occupations    3. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    4. Children: Grades 1-2    5. Crocodiles    6. Fiction    7. Work    8. Juvenile Fiction / Animals / Alligators & Crocodiles    9. Picture books   

Subjects:  1. Animals - Alligators & Crocodiles    2. Cats    3. Children's 4-8 - Fiction - General    4. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    5. Children: Grades 1-2    6. Christmas    7. Crocodiles    8. Fiction    9. Holidays & Celebrations - Christmas    10. Holidays & Festivals - Christmas    11. Juvenile Fiction    12. Lost and found possessions    13. Waber, Bernard    14. Juvenile Fiction / Holidays & Festivals / Christmas   

Subjects:  1. Animals - Alligators & Crocodiles    2. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    3. Children: Grades 1-2    4. Crocodiles    5. Fiction    6. Mother and child    7. Juvenile Fiction / Animals / Alligators & Crocodiles   

Reviews (1)

lyle finds his mother
lyle loved the Primms and they in return. Lyle is so happy with them that he had not given thought to his own mother, until someone brought the subject up. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Animals - Alligators & Crocodiles    2. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    3. Children: Grades 2-3    4. Crocodiles    5. Family - Parents    6. Fiction    7. Juvenile Fiction / Animals / Alligators & Crocodiles   

Reviews (6)

Hate is a form of fear
Lyle suffers when he is threatened with hate mail.Overcome with fear himself,Lyle makes matters worse when he hides in a closet.The only solution to Lyle's problem is "be yourself." Only then, can Lovable Lyle save the day.

A Little Misunderstanding...
I haven't read this book in years, but I have a very vivid memory from it.I read it when I was in first grade, and I guess I didn't really figure out the moral of the story, because I proceeded to write a vicious little hate letter to my next-door neighbor.I don't think I knew what I was doing, and I was very, very ashamed of myself when it was discovered.
Good Moral
I think this is a good book to teach your children to accept people (or in this case, a talking crocodile) for who they are. It validates children's fears and handles normal feelings one might have with new friends moving in and playing with his or her existing friends. Yes, some might not feel the "I hate you" letters are appropriate. However, if your child is finding enjoyment in this book rather than hearing even more unappropriate language on Nick Jr., then I think they made the better choice! I loved it as a child, and my children love it! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Animals - Alligators & Crocodiles    2. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    3. Children: Grades 1-2    4. Crocodiles    5. Fiction    6. Juvenile Fiction / Animals / Alligators & Crocodiles    7. Picture books   

Subjects:  1. Children's Books/Novelty    2. Non-Classifiable    3. Novelty   

Subjects:  1. Crocodiles    2. Fiction   

Subjects:  1. Crocodiles    2. Fiction   

Subjects:  1. Children's 4-8 - Picturebooks    2. Classics    3. Humorous Stories   

Subjects:  1. Children: Grades 1-2   

Subjects:  1. Drama in education    2. Juvenile literature    3. Theater   

Subjects:  1. Modern fiction