This picture book is a quirky, funny cautionary tale about how the grass (or swamp) is not always greener elsewhere!See you later alligator...
Gary the alligator grows tired of his small, soggy swamp and decides a nearby human house would be far more comfortable and luxurious. How wrong he turns out to be!
This charmingly illustrated picture book is darkly detailed with a humorous ending.
On sale: April 7, 2026
Age: 3-5 years
Grade: Up to Kindergarten
Page count: 32 Pages
ISBN: 9781838740795
April Suddendorf is an illustrator and author from all over (but currently based in Dublin). Her current favourite answer to “Where are you from?” Is that she’s genetically German, Dutch by birth and culturally English. Even as a child, she enjoyed illustrating (even if it was just her mother's shopping lists at first) and she’d spend hours gazing at her picture books. She studied Communication Design and Media and graduated in 2022 with her diploma project "Wacky Witches". She completed her Master’s in Children’s and Young Adult Literature in 2024, focussing on the fairytales of the Brothers Grimm. When she’s not drawing or thinking about drawing, she can usually be found crafting health-hazardous earrings, knitting lumpy sweaters or walking around outside (thinking about drawing).
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Suddendorf’s text hilariously reflects Gary’s naïve perspective on human life; even more delightful are the vintage-feeling illustrations. Gary’s twisted body positions and dramatic expressions are endearing and full of movement.
Every spread is packed with charming details that readers will want to pore over and giggle about. With a perfectly timed final punchline and recognizable parallels with “Goldilocks and the Three Bears,” this one will guarantee laughs at storytime. [...]
The spirited tale of the most adorable interloping gator you’ll ever meet."
— Kirkus Reviews
"Suddendorf’s superbly silly story gestures a clear nod to Waber’s Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile, as she notably remodels a not-so-swampy yet still iconic bathtub scene [...] Carefully drawn features, including a gallery of photos and paintings decorating the interior of the house, are rendered with scribbly, fine lines and leave a memorable impression, encouraging a double-take from readers who delight in small details.
The uncomplicated story makes for the perfect lap read, and Gary’s toothy grin is sure to leave a lasting mark as he states, “In a while, human child,” on his way back home."
— Reccomended Review, Bulletin for the Center of Children's Books
