Alligators and crocodiles that are featured in books can be real and somewhat scary or whimsical as in cartoon characters. If a child is interested in actual alligators, then parents or teachers can use nature books to have the child imagine what the alligator is thinking. The same is true for whimsical alligators in picture books. Because kids are already interested in the subject they are able to develop their imaginations by being asked about scenarios that involve their love of the creature.
