The Greedy Python

The Greedy Python
By Richard Buckley and Eric Carle
Publisher/Date: Scholastic 1992
# of Pages: 20
Reading Level: Level 1
Genre: Children's Picture Book

Summary:

This story is about a python. This python is rather greedy, big, and strong. He was very big and hungry, and he ate all the animals that came in sight. He ate a mouse, a frog, a bat, a fish, a bird, a porcupine, monkey, a leopard, a buffalo, and an elephant. He was very big and full, and he got sick and spit them all up. He felt better, but was still hungry. He was so greedy that when he saw his own tail, he ate it til he disappeared.

Who benefits from reading this book?

I think this book contains a good message. I think anybody who needs to learn their lesson about not being greedy would appreciate and benefit from this book.

What problems/conflicts could this book potentially create?

I don't think this book could cause a lot of problems. It's so short, there isn't much that could cause a problem. However, the end is a little bit disturbing because the python ends up eating or killing himself, but it teaches the lesson that greed will destroy you.

My Reaction:

I remember always enjoying having this book read to me as a child. I wasn't really sure why because when I went back and read it again this time, it was a little bit disturbing at the end. I thought that was a little bit weird, but I really liked it as a kid. I also didn't realize that it was a rhyming book. I think that may have been a factor adding to why I liked it so much too. Plus it's the classic Eric Carle illustration, so that makes it fun as well.