Why the Crocodile Has a Wide Mouth

A nature myth retold from The Book of Nature Myths by Florence Holbrook

This is a nature myth from The Book of Nature Myths (1902) by Florence Holbrook, an American educator who collected tales that explain features of the natural world. This story comes from an oral tradition and shows how ancient peoples used stories to answer questions about animals. The text reflects its era; a few period terms have been modernised. This myth teaches children about consequences and offers a memorable explanation for the crocodile's distinctive wide jaw—a perfect blend of wonder, justice, and natural observation for young listeners.

Band

Purple · Pre-readers and first readers, about 4 to 5

Length

short · about 319 words in 5 sections · 4 pictures

Source

The Book of Nature Myths, Florence Holbrook · Project Gutenberg

First published

see the About page in the reader

Regions

Canada · United States

Included formats

• · Web reader and PDF
• · EPUB for e-readers
• · Home-print sheet
• · Folded booklet
• · Binder edition (8.5 × 11)
• · Worksheet
• · Quick Check (6 questions) with answer key
• · Read-aloud script

Readers are engineered from the original public-domain text with AI under HummingRead’s published canon and Content Philosophy, checked by automated audit and sampled by a person. Pictures are made with AI to HummingRead’s brief for each story. How a reader is made.