Set in a Delta in Botswana, this picture book (one of a series) is about young Cleo, an alligator, who has suffered tremendously in living with Hogan the Hippo. Hogan is not kind, and he often calls Cleo names, roars at him, pushes him underwater and even stamps on his tail. Cleo is very sad and frightened about all this, and when he manages to tell his best friends, Ayo the Aardvark and Loni the leopard, they suggest immediate action. They go to some grown-up animals they trust, and when they hear Cleo's sad story, they suggest he must move to another Delta where he will be safe. Cleo has very mixed feelings about this. He knows his friends will miss him, and he them, but he also knows that there is hope this new place that things will be better. Hilly the hippo and Camden the croc are introduced to Cleo as his new carers, but as Hilly look rather a lot like Hogan, this doesn't look good. He has lost all trust in adults, and in the beginning, he is very difficult, snapping and snarling, and turning his tummy bright red as a warning. Hilly and Camden stay nearby, but never try to push him into liking them. They understand why he is the way he is and are very patient. He needs and wants people to like him, though, and he really misses his friends: 'Cleo had decided that because of what had happened with Hogan, it was better to be scary than to be scared.' Gradually, gradually, as Hilly and Camden persist in coming back to see Cleo, he begins to learn trust again, and then he can let himself be friends with them, just as he was with Ayo and Loni, and the adventures can begin. This is a lovely story with lots of beautiful glowing illustrations, and could make a great parable for children who have suffered really serious abuse in their lives. There is a picture to be coloured in which can be photocopied, and some questions that parents and carers can ask when discussing the book. Available from Amazon, from good book shops, and from the publisher: www.jkp.com.