Bill and Pete

This charming picture book introduces an unlikely friendship between Bill the crocodile and Pete, a bird who serves as his living toothbrush. Set along the banks of the River Nile, their adventures include Bill's first day at crocodile school and a dramatic encounter with the Bad Guy from Cairo, all brought to life through dePaola's distinctive artistic style and gentle humor.

What makes this story particularly engaging is how it transforms the real symbiotic relationship between crocodiles and Egyptian plovers into a warm narrative about friendship and cooperation. Young readers will appreciate how Bill and Pete work together to solve problems, while the Egyptian setting provides an exotic backdrop that sparks curiosity about animal relationships in nature. The combination of educational elements and heartfelt storytelling creates a memorable reading experience that celebrates interdependence in the animal kingdom.