"Frederick" Leo Lionni - 1995
This charming animal fable introduces an extraordinary crocodile who hatches from his egg already walking upright on his hind legs. Because of his unique posture, he can see far over the riverbank mud, discovering a vibrant world of tall bushes, scurrying monkeys, and hidden sights that ordinary, belly-crawling crocodiles miss entirely. When he proudly shares his spectacular views with his riverbank peers, they dismiss his uniqueness out of jealousy and narrow-mindedness, grumbling that his abilities are completely useless. Determined to grow rather than conform, he temporarily leaves his unsupportive community to learn remarkable acrobatic tricks, like standing on his head and hanging by his tail, from a friendly monkey. When he returns home to show off his new talents, the other crocodiles pretend to be completely unimpressed, but the moment he turns his back, they eagerly crawl into the brush to secretly try standing on their heads too, proving that staying true to oneself can quietly inspire an entire community.
 
Collation / Page Count: Complete