Walter finds his voice The story of a shy crocodile

A timid crocodile learns to express himself. Walter likes to skim through the water with just his eyes visible--not to sneak up on possible prey but because he is shy. Walter's inner voice is filled with self-doubt. When seeing his aquatic friends having fun, Walter anxiously wonders, "WHAT IF I SAY SOMETHING WRONG? WHAT IF THEY LAUGH AT ME? WHAT IF I SCARE THEM AWAY?" Walter slowly slinks back down below the surface, out of sight. But one morning the heron twins are bullying Walter's friend Turtle. As the birds toss him back and forth like a ball, Walter pushes through his fear and shouts (across a double-page spread, with his toothy mouth open wide), "STOP MESSING WITH MY FRIEND!" In that moment, Walter learns that even a gentle soul can be filled with courage--and being brave doesn't mean you don't still get scared or nervous. In Ha's picture-book debut, soothing green and blue watercolors deftly mirror Walter's watery habitat and his quiet nature. Quirky details (at a party for Walter and his friends, Turtle, balloons tied to his tail, inadvertently starts to levitate) and expressive eyes on the full cast--even when that is all readers can see of Walter--brim with warmth and personality. (This book was reviewed digitally.) Emboldens readers with the knowledge that bravery is not the absence of fear. (Picture book. 4-7) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.