What If There Are Alligators?
Will be published approx. on 29. October 2026
Book
Hardback
176 pages
978-1-77278-379-7 (ISBN)
Description
From award-winning author, Beverley Brenna, What If There Are Alligators? is the hilarious, heart-warming story of Belvin-a nine-year-old boy who worries about just about everything, especially alligators!
Nine-year-old Belvin has always lived in the shadow of his gregarious twin brother Beaman, who is determined to go away to summer camp-which Belvin will not. His parents have decided to take different paths for their summer vacation, so his perceptive mom sends Belvin to his Aunt Edna's goat farm. Belvin misses home at first and is reluctant to try new things-until he does, gaining more confidence every day as he learns to navigate the farm from wise Aunt Edna.
When a neighborhood girl, Ellie, offers to come work at the goat farm, Belvin discovers the satisfaction of how great teamwork makes their daily chores a lot more fun. As the kids dive into looking after the rabbits, goats, cats, dogs and one donkey, the two discover they have a lot in common and become good friends. Belvin learns to problem-solve, which serves him well in a dangerous situation when he finds in himself a new, unexpected bravery which saves the day.
As his friendship with Ellie grows, so does their unique entrepreneurial venture, which helps the survival of Aunt Edna's farm but also surprises everyone, even Belvin's twin brother.
Beverley Brenna's knack for writing a funny tale shines in this hilarious middle grade story which will appeal to young readers who are contemplating a summer away from home.
Nine-year-old Belvin has always lived in the shadow of his gregarious twin brother Beaman, who is determined to go away to summer camp-which Belvin will not. His parents have decided to take different paths for their summer vacation, so his perceptive mom sends Belvin to his Aunt Edna's goat farm. Belvin misses home at first and is reluctant to try new things-until he does, gaining more confidence every day as he learns to navigate the farm from wise Aunt Edna.
When a neighborhood girl, Ellie, offers to come work at the goat farm, Belvin discovers the satisfaction of how great teamwork makes their daily chores a lot more fun. As the kids dive into looking after the rabbits, goats, cats, dogs and one donkey, the two discover they have a lot in common and become good friends. Belvin learns to problem-solve, which serves him well in a dangerous situation when he finds in himself a new, unexpected bravery which saves the day.
As his friendship with Ellie grows, so does their unique entrepreneurial venture, which helps the survival of Aunt Edna's farm but also surprises everyone, even Belvin's twin brother.
Beverley Brenna's knack for writing a funny tale shines in this hilarious middle grade story which will appeal to young readers who are contemplating a summer away from home.
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
Toronto
Canada
Target group
Children/juvenile
US School Grade: From Second Grade to Fifth Grade, Interest Age: From 7 to 10 years
Product notice
Laminated cover
Illustrations
Illustrations, color
Dimensions
Height: 191 mm
Width: 140 mm
ISBN-13
978-1-77278-379-7 (9781772783797)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Persons
Beverley Brenna is a freelance writer, editor, and visual artist. She has previously published 15 books for young people, earning a Printz Honor and shortlisted for a Governor General's Literary Award for her young adult novel The White Bicycle; a Dolly Gray Award for Waiting for No One; and a Stuchner Award for humor in Sapphire and the Great Meaning of Life. Beverley is a professor emerita from the University of Saskatchewan, where her research spotlights patterns and themes in children's literature, and she has taught in elementary schools rural and urban. She and her family live in Saskatoon.
Dave's work has appeared in publications such as The Washington Post, The New York Times, Politico, USA Today, Sports Illustrated, Wall Street Journal, OWL and Highlights. He has illustrated over 60 books, including 5 for Robert Munsch, and has written a few himself, including the Oddrey series, My Think-a-ma-jink and Rosie's Glasses.
Dave's awards include 2 Blue Spruce awards, a Silver Birch and 8 Silver Reuben awards from the National Cartoonists Society. His former high school chose him for a Hall of Fame award (which was a huge honor... and super weird).
Dave graduated from the Alberta College of Art and Design in 1987 and later taught 3rd and 4th year Advanced Illustration there for 9 years. When he told people he wanted to be a cartoonist, they all laughed, which was fine, because he loved making people laugh, but there's no one laughing now! Which isn't a good thing, being a cartoonist...
Dave's work has appeared in publications such as The Washington Post, The New York Times, Politico, USA Today, Sports Illustrated, Wall Street Journal, OWL and Highlights. He has illustrated over 60 books, including 5 for Robert Munsch, and has written a few himself, including the Oddrey series, My Think-a-ma-jink and Rosie's Glasses.
Dave's awards include 2 Blue Spruce awards, a Silver Birch and 8 Silver Reuben awards from the National Cartoonists Society. His former high school chose him for a Hall of Fame award (which was a huge honor... and super weird).
Dave graduated from the Alberta College of Art and Design in 1987 and later taught 3rd and 4th year Advanced Illustration there for 9 years. When he told people he wanted to be a cartoonist, they all laughed, which was fine, because he loved making people laugh, but there's no one laughing now! Which isn't a good thing, being a cartoonist...