Croc and Ally Friends Forever Guided Reading Level

Open Preview

See a Problem?

We'd love your help. Let us know what's wrong with this preview of Friends Forever by Derek Anderson.

Thanks for telling us about the problem.

Friend Reviews

To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up.

Community Reviews

· 149 ratings · 21 reviews

Start your review of Friends Forever (Croc and Ally)

May 15, 2019 Gina rated it liked it

Contains three very short and simple stories, so probably best for younger children, like for kids who find Frog and Toad too slow.

It was okay, just not what I think it wants to be. Croc and Ally are, as you might have guessed, a crocodile and an alligator. They "are best friends, but are very different"--yes, a familiar trope, to be sure, but not one which has lost any appeal over time as the "odd couple" sort of story always brings up human nature and seemingly limitless possibilities for plot and character.

Unfortunately, no new or interesting ground is trod here--and, I am sad to say, Croc and Ally are both male. I was h

Unfortunately, no new or interesting ground is trod here--and, I am sad to say, Croc and Ally are both male. I was hoping for two female reptiles, but no such luck here. Cute illustrations, just as expected story lines--but that's not to say it won't be enjoyed by those just starting to read. I would definitely hand this to a young animal lover learning to read, and especially one who loves reptiles (and yes, I do know plenty who fall into these categories).

Thanks to Penguin Young Readers for the review copy.

...more

Croc and Ally: Friends Forever by Derek Anderson. PICTURE BOOK/EARLY READER. Penguin Workshop (Penguin), 2018. $9. 9781524787073

BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K, EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE.

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Croc and Ally are friends and at the centerpiece of the three stories in this book. In the first story, the friends are shopping for chairs in order to give themselves more space than the couch. In the second, they help each other snap out of a grumpy mood. In the final story, they go on a hunt for th

Croc and Ally: Friends Forever by Derek Anderson. PICTURE BOOK/EARLY READER. Penguin Workshop (Penguin), 2018. $9. 9781524787073

BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K, EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE.

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

This book does not have a reading level attached, but it is clearly designed for emergent readers. I would self-level it at a pre-level one. There is nothing notable about this book, but it does what it aims at well - easy to read words that form a slightly humorous story with silly illustrations used to engage but not overwhelm the reader.

Jen Wecker, HS English Teacher
https://kissthebookjr.blogspot.com/20...

...more

Croc and Ally is yet another go at creating a humorous early reader series about a duo with contrasting personalities. The "next Elephant & Piggie" as it were.

This one is fairly successful! No speech bubbles here, and the illustrations are more detailed than Willems', but the short scenes are winsome.

Croc (a crocodile) is the straightman/grouch to Ally (an alligator) the optimist/funnyman. The first story has some great visual gags as the two go chair shopping. Throughout, the characters show po

Croc and Ally is yet another go at creating a humorous early reader series about a duo with contrasting personalities. The "next Elephant & Piggie" as it were.

This one is fairly successful! No speech bubbles here, and the illustrations are more detailed than Willems', but the short scenes are winsome.

Croc (a crocodile) is the straightman/grouch to Ally (an alligator) the optimist/funnyman. The first story has some great visual gags as the two go chair shopping. Throughout, the characters show positive regard for each other.

I'm eager to see how these are received by early readers. Great for those reading with moderate help.

I was provided an ARC. This is my honest review.

...more

Three short stories. One where the two friends go to pick a set of chairs so that the other isn't crowded on their 2-seater couch, one about being grumpy which leads to both friends seeing things from the other's perspective and another about one friend helping out the other in a time of distress by coming up with a creative solution. Bold pictures with a simple drawing style are pleasing to the eye. Two distinct characters that are fun to voice. I like to do Croc as a gruff, Christian Bale Batm Three short stories. One where the two friends go to pick a set of chairs so that the other isn't crowded on their 2-seater couch, one about being grumpy which leads to both friends seeing things from the other's perspective and another about one friend helping out the other in a time of distress by coming up with a creative solution. Bold pictures with a simple drawing style are pleasing to the eye. Two distinct characters that are fun to voice. I like to do Croc as a gruff, Christian Bale Batman and Ally like a simple Boo Boo Bear. ...more

Croc and Ally are very different, but they are still good friends. Ally solves the problem of Croc crowding him on the sofa, then they imitate each other, and then Ally helps Croc find the moon so she can sleep.

A pretty average comedy duo with one short and one tall, one smart and one not-so-smart, one reserved and one bubbly. This is cute but it didn't really stand out. Hand it to kids reading well enough they are ready for a couple short stories in one book.

...more

Nov 25, 2019 Sarah rated it really liked it

Here's another classic friendship duo- the grump and the joyful.

I like these two as neither really seemed over the top about their personality traits. They kind of reminded me of myself and a friend. I like that although Croc is grumpy, he can still find amusement in Ally making fun of him or in her constant peppiness. Also that although he tends to be grumpy he is still kind- in the last story.

Here's another classic friendship duo- the grump and the joyful.

...more

An easy reader in the spirit of Frog and Toad. Ally is bubbly and happy, while Croc is grumpy. But they still manage to be good friends in spite of their personality differences. I particularly liked the illustration of Croc's face after the two friends switch places. An easy reader in the spirit of Frog and Toad. Ally is bubbly and happy, while Croc is grumpy. But they still manage to be good friends in spite of their personality differences. I particularly liked the illustration of Croc's face after the two friends switch places. ...more

Jul 03, 2020 Kaitlyn rated it liked it

Way too easy for Emma now. Although it is an early chapter book, there is so little text.

This is a cute book for early readers, but it lacks exposition regarding the protagonists. Maybe it's in a series, and I'm just missing that aspect.

It's OK. I expected there to be more to it when the chapters end. Not entirely sure why they're friends. It's OK. I expected there to be more to it when the chapters end. Not entirely sure why they're friends. ...more

Cute beginning reader with short chapters and funny illustrations.

Croc and Ally are great friends whether they decide to get different chairs, go on a walk, or trying to find the moon. Croc is always grumpy but Ally always tries to cheer him up. Ally says in the story Croc is grumpy in the rain, grumpy in the mud, and bugs. Although they had some differences they were still the best of friends working through their differences. I think this a great book and it is very easy to understand. The illustrations also make the story enhanced and would be easy to follo Croc and Ally are great friends whether they decide to get different chairs, go on a walk, or trying to find the moon. Croc is always grumpy but Ally always tries to cheer him up. Ally says in the story Croc is grumpy in the rain, grumpy in the mud, and bugs. Although they had some differences they were still the best of friends working through their differences. I think this a great book and it is very easy to understand. The illustrations also make the story enhanced and would be easy to follow even if there were no words. A teaching strategy would be to read this book during class meeting and how we should all be great friends to each other even if we are not all the same. The class could then make a "contract" about what it means to be a great friend in the classroom. Everyone will then sign the "contract" and when you have friend problems in the classroom you can always refer back to the friend "contract". ...more

Oct 16, 2019 Marcie rated it really liked it

Like this series and think kids will as well.

I handed these to some 3rd graders who were in the library right as I finished reading them, and they all enjoyed the humor. Addition for your early reader set with short vignette chapters. Shelve near the Ballet Cat, Giggle Gang, Snail & Worm, and Duck Duck Porcupine series.