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For Parents

 Tomi Ungerer, "Crictor":

Madame Bodot is a schoolteacher in France; her son is off studying reptiles in a jungle somewhere. As a gift, a box arrives for Mme. Bodot. It's a boa constrictor.

Bodot cares for her snake and researches his needs. She calls him "Crictor." In exchange for good care, Crictor provides several services. For example, he teaches small boys how to tie knots. (He himself--contorted in many ways--serves as "the knot.") He becomes a jump rope for little girls. He becomes a pedagogical device; he can twist himself into an "S," for "Snake," an "N" for "Nothing," and so on. He can turn himself into a "7," for "Seven Little Dwarfs," or an "8," for "The Eight Arms of the Octopus."

At this point, Ungerer needs to toss in a conflict. He has a burglar invade Bodot's flat. Crictor ensnares the burglar; the town celebrates with an honorary sculpture; a Parisian park is re-christened "Parc Crictor." And, "loved and respected," Crictor lives happily all the days of his life.

Perfect pacing; quirky lead character; glamorous setting; details, details, details. This is how it's done. Five stars.
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