Alligators All Around

Alligators All Around by Maurice Sendak

Source of Miscellany: I used to live around the corner from this rather fabulous museum, the Rosenbach.  They house a collection of rare books and manuscripts as well as antiques, silver, drawings and prints.  It’s a tiny little gem of a place.  They’ve had a long standing relationship with Maurice Sendak and they house many of his original drawings, manuscript material and much more.  Periodically they’ll hold special exhibits on his work.  It was during one of these that I first noticed Alligators All Around. It’s adorably pocket-sized, much like my copy of Chicken Soup with Rice (The two are actually packaged together along with two other offerings in the Nutshell Library).

Why this book? In the spirit of brutal honesty – because it’s short.  I’ve got a million things to do and no time!  And, I wanted to put in a good word for the Rosenbach which is such a lovely little museum.  Also, I find the alligators completely charming.

Alligators All Around is Sendak’s take on an alphabet book.  Each page features an alliterative phrase and an illustration of the alligators engaging in the noted activity.  But since it’s Sendak, expect the unusual.  Of course, since it’s Sendak, try not to be too uptight about the alligators imitating indians (in full headdress and smoking a peace pipe) or keeping kangaroos (I refuse to read any pro-slavery propaganda into the the pale green alligators owning dark colored kangaroos).  Instead enjoy them riding reindeer, wearing wigs and laying in bed with cloths over their eyes as they are having headaches. Also of note, this is a three gator family – so only one child for those of you who are looking for books featuring only children.

Sex, Nudity, Dating – The gators are usually wearing something, even if something is only a hat.
Profanity – None.
Death, Violence and Gore – A gator is shown “pushing people”.
Drugs, Alcohol and Smoking – Young gator is shown smoking a peace pipe.
Frightening or Intense Things – None.