logo Wed, 07 May 2025 08:15:15 GMT

Alan's Big, Scary Teeth


Synopsis


The Winner of the 2017 V&A Best Illustrated Book Award

An alligator who snaps, becomes an alligator who th-naps in this hilarious, heart-warming story of making new friends and discovering who you really are.

Meet Alan, an alligator with a secret. Famed for his big, scary teeth, he sneaks into the jungle every day to scare the jungle animals ... "I'm big, scary Alan! Fear my razor-sharp teeth!" But after a long day of scaring, Alan likes nothing better than to run a warm mud bath and take out his false teeth, which nobody knows about! That is, until his teeth go missing. What will Alan do now? Scaring is the only thing he knows how to do! Can he still be scary without them? A goofy comedy of self-discovery, witty, warm-hearted storytelling and bright graphic art will make this (and Alan!) a firm children's book favourite.

Jarvis

Summary



Chapter 1: "The Arrival of Alan"
Alan was a fearsome alligator with big, scary teeth. He lived in the depths of the jungle, where he roamed freely and ruled over all the other animals with his sharp, intimidating teeth. One day, as he was slithering through the dense bushes, Alan spotted a group of animals gathered on the riverbank. Curious, he approached them and saw a large sign that read "Welcome to the jungle, Alan!" It was then that he realized the animals were throwing a party to celebrate his arrival. From that day on, Alan's ego got bigger than his teeth.

Real example: Just like Alan, there are people who believe they have a certain power or popularity over others because of their physical appearance or status in society. They often let it get to their heads and become arrogant, just like Alan did when he saw the welcome sign. This can lead to those around them feeling intimidated and afraid, just like the animals felt around Alan.

Chapter 2: "The Misunderstanding"
As the animals were busy preparing food and drinks for Alan's welcome party, they were suddenly interrupted by a loud growl. They were all certain it was Alan's stomach, but when they turned around, they saw a big, scary creature with sharp teeth heading towards them. Thinking it was Alan, the animals were terrified and ran away in fear. However, the creature turned out to be just a tiny mouse with big, scary teeth of its own. Alan, who had been sleeping during the commotion, woke up confused and realized that the animals had mistaken the mouse for him. Feeling embarrassed, he decided to make things right.

Real example: The animals' misunderstanding of the mouse in this chapter highlights the dangers of judging others based on their appearance. Often, we make assumptions about someone's character or intentions based solely on their looks, without really getting to know them. This can lead to misunderstandings and missed opportunities for meaningful interactions and relationships.

Chapter 3: "The Transformation"
Determined to show the animals he was not as fearsome as they thought, Alan decided to get rid of his big, scary teeth and replace them with smaller, friendlier ones. He went to the dentist and had all his sharp teeth replaced with round, white ones. When he returned to the jungle, the animals were surprised to see the change in him. They no longer feared him and welcomed him with open arms. Alan was happy to see that he could be accepted and loved without his intimidating teeth.

Real example: Alan's decision to change his teeth reflects the idea of self-acceptance and the importance of not conforming to societal expectations. In today's world, there is immense pressure to look a certain way or fit into a certain category, which can lead to individuals making drastic changes to their appearance just to fit in. Alan's transformation teaches us to accept and love ourselves just the way we are.

Chapter 4: "The New and Improved Alan"
With his new teeth, Alan felt like a new alligator. He was no longer feared by the other animals and was instead welcomed with warm smiles and kind words. He even made friends with the tiny mouse who had caused the big misunderstanding. Together, they explored the jungle, shared stories, and became the best of friends. Alan learned that true friendship and acceptance come from within, and not from having big, scary teeth.

Real example: Moving away from the idea of conformity, this chapter highlights the importance of self-improvement. Alan's new teeth did not change who he was as a person, but it gave him the confidence to make new friends and explore new experiences. Similarly, in real life, there is value in working on ourselves and becoming the best version of ourselves, without trying to conform or change for others.

Chapter 5: "The Lesson Learned"
As the days went by, Alan grew to love his new teeth and the friendships he had made. He no longer felt the need to be feared by others. He realized that true happiness does not come from instilling fear in others, but from building meaningful relationships and being accepted for who you are. The animals in the jungle also learned an important lesson - to not judge a book by its cover and to look beyond appearances.

Real example: In this final chapter, Alan and the animals learn the importance of acceptance, friendship, and empathy. In a world where superficial things like appearance and status hold so much value, this story reminds us of the true meaning of happiness and fulfillment in life. Genuine relationships based on acceptance and kindness are what truly matter.