Comfortably read by John Lithgow, this adaptation of author and illustrator Bob Shea’s amusing picture book stars a lazy but very hungry alligator who devises a scheme to open a bird seed restaurant (Chez Bob) on his snout with plans to eat the birds that come to enjoy the seed offerings. Immediately the restaurant is popular and a multitude of birds, including a beautiful peacock, enjoy feasting at Chez Bob (“the talk of the trees”).
Soon the birds build a small village and Bob becomes involved by coaching a basketball team, hosting a sunset cruise, and joining a book club where he decides the orange bird that “never lets anyone talk” will be his first victim. And then a nasty storm approaches and Bob offers the birds shelter in his huge jaw, a perfect way to devour them all. But something happens to the greedy gator when he sees the quiet town and realizes he will miss his avian friends who he lets escape after the storm passes.
The sweet ending finds the birds building a “Bob-size nest” for their new buddy who has transformed from greedy and mischievous to caring and happy. Shea’s splashy, bold, colorful illustrations are perfectly animated, and original background music filled with accordion and keyboard accompaniment adds to the festive mood and Lithgow’s expressive reading. Highly recommended for pure enjoyment and perhaps to spark discussions about friendship, companionship, kindness, and participation. Pure fun for young viewers in school, library, and home settings. Outstanding.