Ann Kim Ha

First sentence: Meet Walter. He's right there, behind the tall grass, in the shallow end of the swamp. Most crocodiles hide so they can pounce on unsuspecting prey. But that's NOT Walter. Walter hides because he's what some may call shy.

Premise/plot: Walter is shy...until he isn't....and he finds his voice via standing up for a friend (a turtle).

My thoughts: Shyness is seen as something to be "cured" or "fixed" in this animal fantasy picture book. I wish it wasn't quite that way. Everyone is entitled to their opinion. And maybe the prevailing opinion is that everyone should be "forced" or "coaxed" into society at large.

I personally wanted a different story. But that is on me.… (mehr)