I'd Really Like To Eat A Child

Brandi Meineke, Booksource Collection Development Specialist

10/12/2012 9:07:53 AM
Achilles is a baby crocodile with a dream. Instead of the bananas his mom and dad feed him for breakfast, he would prefer a child. In an attempt to convince his parents to stop feeding him bananas, little Achilles refuses to eat. The tears and bribes of Mama and Papa Crocodile do not convince Achilles to give up his dream. When Achilles finally does come face-to-face with a child, it does not go quite as he planned.

Students will relate to not wanting to eat what their parents give them. Achilles’ refusal to eat does not get him his way—another important lesson for those young elementary students. Achilles even starts to feel weak and sick from not eating. When he goes off on his own, he finally encounters what he wants most. A young girl is playing with a toy boat in the river. As Achilles creeps closer and closer to the child and bares his teeth. This could almost be scary except for the fact that Achilles is so small that he doesn’t even reach the girl’s knees. She calls him cute and comments that he must be so small because he doesn’t eat very much. After tickling his belly, the girl throws him in the river. Instead of being upset by his failure, Achilles returns to his parents with a new found hunger for bananas. He must eat what his parents tell him so he can grow big enough to eat a child someday!

This picture book makes a great read aloud. The illustrations are simple and engaging, with several details that students may notice after multiple readings. The story is probably set in Africa, so it would fit well in a unit about African animals or villages. This title also lends itself to studies about health and nutrition, as Achilles learns he must eat the right kind of food to get big and strong. The silliness of the story is also very enjoyable for students and teachers alike.