My Pet Croc

Written by Dani Vee

Illustrations by Jules Faber

Reviewed by Sophia Evans

If you’re after a laugh-out-loud, heartwarming middle-grade story with a splash of chaos and a lot of mischief, My Pet Croc is the perfect choice for you!

Felix is asked by his eccentric Aunt Opaline to look after her baby crocodile, Jupiter. He must keep the reptile hidden and claim that the pet is just a lizard. Seems pretty simple, but of course, easier said than done. When “Bring Your Pet to School Day” arrives, and the local mean girls (four girls all named Caitlin) start asking questions, Felix’s secret becomes harder to protect. Thankfully, he finds an ally in Autumn, a sharp and witty new friend who also owns an unusual pet (a pet ferret). Together, they do their best to manage Jupiter’s puppy-like behaviour, avoid absurd accusations from the Caitlins, and solve the mystery of why some of the most dangerous animals on earth are behaving so sweetly!

The characters and situations make this story so fun. Felix is kind, a little anxious and slightly quirky, while Autumn brings confidence and balance to the friendship. The “evil Caitlins” are delightfully over-the-top with their ‘oodles’; and Aunt Opaline’s friends are fierce and fabulous. I also enjoyed the fact that technology is part of the world-building without being the entire focus of the story.

I found myself giggling at the absurd idea of convincing peers that a crocodile is in fact ‘just a sub-species of lizard’; and just when the story seemed predictable, a new twist arrived. Definitely a page turner!

Dani Vee cleverly weaves messages of courage, loyalty, and the importance of looking past appearances through the story. My Pet Croc is wild, warm, and full of heart, combining silliness and sincerity in a way that feels fresh. Perfect for readers aged 8+. It will appeal to readers who enjoy reading about the chaos of school life, the challenges of keeping secrets, and the thrill of unlikely friendships.

Dani Vee again teams up with Jules Faber who is a multi-award-winning illustrator known for his engaging, humorous style. The illustrations in My Pet Croc are expressive, fun and fabulous. I’m always amazed at how illustrators can convey such emotion and storytelling with just a few simple lines. One standout illustration came about halfway through the book where Jules Faber masterfully showed three crocs spooning, Jupiter the croc clearly taming the other two crocs.

Dani Vee is the host of the literary podcast Words and Nerds. Her previous publications include Riley’s Failproof Guide to Breaking A School Record (illustrated by Jules Faber), which was also revied on StoryLinks

Larrikin House 2025

Dani Vee’

Jules Faber