The Bristol Crocodile books by Bristol author and illustrator Kat Yeadon have become firm favourites with children across our Mama Bear's Day Nurseries.

The three storybooks are particularly well suited to our preschool children. The stories are short, engaging and easy to follow, with bright, distinctive illustrations that immediately capture the children's attention. The familiar Bristol locations add something very special, giving children the excitement of recognising places they know and encouraging conversations about the city around them.

What has impressed us most, however, is the children's response. They don't simply listen to the stories, they ask for them again. Crocodile and his mischievous Seagull friend have become familiar characters, with children joining in, pointing out details in the illustrations and talking about what they think might happen next.

The books also lend themselves naturally to activities beyond story time. We've been able to use them to encourage observation, conversation, counting, spotting and imaginative play, making them a lovely resource as well as an enjoyable read.

There is something particularly special about being able to introduce young children to stories that celebrate the city in which many of them are growing up in.  Seeing Bristol represented in a picture book helps make the stories feel relevant and exciting to them.

We would happily recommend The Bristol Crocodile books to families with young children, nurseries, preschools and early-years settings. They are fun, accessible and beautifully suited to being read aloud, and perhaps most importantly, our children genuinely enjoy them.

Homepage | The Bristol Crocodile

Tony Driffield - Mama Bear's Day Nursery

PS The author is doing a book reading event at Bookhaus on Friday 21st August 2026. Freebies to take away! See link for more details: https://www.headfirstbristol.co.uk/whats-on/bookhaus/fri-21-aug-the-bristol-crocodile-160198#e16019