Joshua and Bigtooth [Library Binding]

PreSchool-Grade 2 --Another twist on an old theme: child adopts wild pet; pet is unsuitable for domestication; pet returns to the wild. In this case, Joshua finds Bigtooth, a baby alligator with a sweet smile, in a ``magical'' pond. The little gator's antics enchant the family, but startle the locals. Eventually, Bigtooth grows to be enormous and must be returned to the river--but not before the neighbors gather for an Alabama-style fish fry, complete with dancing alligators. The garish colors are unappealing; long-nosed Joshua and this toothy friend are equally unattractive. An exaggerated tall-tale at best, with an implausible plot and a crude, comic-book look to the illustrations. --Gail C. Ross, Baltimore County Public Library
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.

A lighthearted fantasy rather like an updated The Biggest Bear. In the beginning, Bigtooth is a ``tiny, shiny, green baby...[with] the sweetest little alligator smile''; Joshua catches him while fishing. Parents and neighbors predict the inevitable, and, sure enough, Bigtooth gets huge. Joshua tries to hide him in the boathouse, but he comes out when Joshua's parents throw a party--a fish fry--to honor the full moon. Consternation ensues when he's joined by a crowd of other huge gators from the river, but it turns out they just want to join in the dancing, after which they all depart--Bigtooth, too. This will never replace Lynd Ward's masterpiece, but it's smoothly told and has nice touches of humor, while the brash, cartoon-style illustrations are full of color and verve. (Picture book. 4-8) -- Copyright ©1992, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

Living with his family in a log cabin on the banks of the Magnolia River, Joshua makes a pet of a tiny alligator that he calls Bigtooth, but his problems begin when his tiny pet starts to grow--and grow.