The CrocoDolly (Martin McKenna, Omnibus)

Martin McKenna has previously produced The Octopuppy so he has form in unlikely pairings. Here, he presents another odd pairing: a crocodile and a doll. It all begins when young Adelaide decides to make a cake. But when she cracks an egg, out pops a baby crocodile. Instead of screaming in fright, Adelaide cleans the flour off him, hugs him and calls him Ozzy—and Ozzy seems to love her right back. Adelaide’s strange affection for this rather unlovable creature stems from the fact that she isn’t allowed to have pets after a series of unfortunate incidents with previous animals. Kids who like dressing up (and which kid doesn’t?) will appreciate Adelaide’s attempt at disguise. Dolly is stripped of her finery so Ozzy can be frocked up in a frilly pink dress with blonde wig, bloomers and a bow. Adelaide even paints her claws with nail polish. At first no-one suspects a thing (despite the unusual green colour of Adelaide’s new toy), but then, of course, Ozzy grows. Young kids will love the absurdity of trying to disguise a crocodile who is bursting out of his clothes. The drawings are a delight: detailed, colourful and frenetic as Ozzy tries in vain to be Adelaide’s dolly. Her ultimate solution is inspired as she works out where he can squash, stomp and crunch as much as he likes.

Thuy On is a reviewer and books editor of the Big Issue

Books+Publishing pre-publication reviews are supported by the Copyright Agency Cultural Fund.

Category: Reviews