Alexis Deacon

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Beegu

Croc and Bird

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The softly coloured pictures convey all the emotion and complement the feel of the book excellently. A wonderful heart-warming story

This stunning book follows the story of these two characters and how they teach each other their individual skills. A touching tale of how family ties aren't always so obvious to everyone but can be found right under your nose!

This deeply emotional and moving story about love and closeness despite difference is perhaps Deacon’s best book yet.Quite superb

a charming, beautifully illustrated parable about sibling love

This unusual, unsentimental story begins with two white eggs that look companionable and interchangeable. But out of one, a fledgling emerges and, from the other, a baby crocodile. Croc and Bird cannot hope to be brothers but, in Deacon's custody, are soul-mates who forage and huddle together, wings against scales, to keep out the cold. The bird calls its nest 'our home' – impractical for Croc but he does not grumble. A delicate, poignant, exquisitely drawn exploration of affinity with no need for a clumping moral. (2+)

Croc and Bird mixes comical and genuinely heart-warming scenes to create a beautiful tale of love, friendship and where we feel we really belong. Deacon's style is very unusual. with thick lines that almost look like that they would be grainy if you touched them. His artwork can be dark at times, the bird and crocodile not as "cute" as you might find them in other illustrated books, they fill more real, close to zoological sketches at times. However, the use of subtle colours helps to give a delicate feel to the story and the mixture of slight harshness and create a truly evocative atmosphere, which oozes emotion. 
 
Deacon tackles the theme of nature versus nurture in the utmost lyrical way, and I found myself moved to tears by the implications of Croc and Bird's relationship: how family is what you make it, not what is expected by others, how you can feel isolated and alone amongst your kind and accepted and loved by those who are not. The subtle message found in Croc and Bird makes this book a powerful tool not only to help young readers' understanding and acceptance of others' differences, but also to help those who might feel, for whatever reason, isolated. 
 
In a society that is perhaps, sometimes, judgemental of non-conformist family units,whether because of race or gender, Croc and Bird is a beautifully gentle reminder that in the end, it is the fact of loving someone and being loved in return, that really matters.

This is a gentle and intriguing picture book about discovering where you belong and feel comfortable....Superb pastel illustrations and simple, thought-provoking text make this a lovely introduction to finding your place in the world. Delightful!

A quirky and unusual story brought to the young reader as two unlikely friends find themselves in a unique situation that allows them to grow together. It’s unusual, it has some great illustrations and demonstrates that whilst people may be different, similarities can allow everyone to become friends. Add to this some bright colours, great use of prose which when backed with the authors unique storytelling style really brings this title together on so many levels. 
 
A truly wonderful read and one that I really can’t wait to share with my nephews.

charming...a heart-warming book for siblings everywhere

(an) exquisitely illustrated, dreamy tale ... the lesson isn't original, of course, but it's delivered here with exceptional sensitivity.

a story about loving each other beyond the boundaries of culture.

Youngsters will love this story that explores the bonds that tie us together.

A story about loving each other beyond the boundaries of culture

A charming tale of friendship and the meaning of family...Deacon's illustrations are sophisticated and his washes of colour beautiful...a visual treat.

This is a gorgeous, heart warming picture book

Side by side on the sand sat two eggs. With a crack and a rip, the brothers hatch, and out comes a bird and a ... crocodile! But they can't be brothers - can they?

An enchanting tale about differences, and the joy of finding your true family

Alexis Deacon graduated from the University of Brighton, where he studied Illustration, gaining a first class honours degree. Alexis Deacon was one of Booktrust's ten Best New Illustrators in 2008, and Beegu was a New York Times Book Review Best Illustrated Book of the Year and shortlisted for the Kate Greenaway Medal. Alexis lives in London.

Croc and Bird

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Alexis Deacon

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