Name Pronunciation
Eija sounds like, “A-ya,” with a long a for that initial vowel. Eija kind of sounds like “Hey-ya!”
Mini Bio
Eija Sumner has an MFA from Hamline University in writing for children and young adults. Crocodile Hungry, illustrated by John Martz, is her first picture book. Her next book, The Good Little Mermaid’s Guide to Bedtime, publishes March 2024. She lives in Idaho with her husband, three children, one dog, three cats, and one red-eyed bunny.
Longer Bio
Eija Sumner has an MFA from Hamline University in writing for children and young adults. Eija writes lyrical, quirky, and humorous picture books. Her first picture book, Crocodile Hungry, illustrated by John Martz, published in February 2022 from Tundra Books. Her next book, The Good Little Mermaid’s Guide to Bedtime, publishes March 2024. Eija also writes non-fiction for children and novels for older kids and teens.
Eija has worked as a bookseller and children’s book buyer for an indie bookstore, a paralegal, and in public and academic libraries. She is good at wearing lots of different kinds of hats and she knows her ABC’s forwards and backwards.
Eija lives in Idaho with her husband, three children, three cats, one dog, and one red-eyed bunny. Eija loves art, libraries, eels, silly cat videos, socks, soccer, the Portland Trailblazers, fresh peaches, reading and sharing stories, taking walks, learning about new things, and being warm.
A Large Author Photo – For your Fridge or Print Media
A Small Author Photo – for Web, etc.
Lovely Things that Have Been Said About Crocodile Hungry
“Readers with rumbling tummies will certainly sympathize with Crocodile, and revel in a resolution that gives delicious new meaning to ‘slice of life.’ “
– John Peters, Booklist
“The crocodile’s expressive face and the many funny details presented will lead to stops and discussion, and wishes for a repeat reading. Just what you want when you read to little ones.”
– Sal’s Fiction Addiction
SUMNER, Eija. Crocodile Hungry. illus. by John Martz. 40p. Tundra. Feb. 2022. Tr $18.99. ISBN 9780735267879.
PreS-K– This deceptively simple book will delight readers of all ages. It succeeds so well because the author creates a character and story line that run counter to all expectations. The main character is a hungry crocodile, and readers will expect him to be ruthless to satisfy his hunger. They won’t expect a crocodile who is completely clueless. When the crocodile sets off in search of food at a nearby refrigerator, a farmer’s market, and a community garden, he has no idea that his very presence will lead to panic. He is shocked that he ruins the farmer’s market, and everyone leaves screaming. He can’t fathom why his “acrobatic feat” to reach the grocery store cart is met with screams rather than applause. Young readers will giggle each time the crocodile fails to get something he wants to eat. The bright green and pink illustrations, which will remind readers of the loose-lined cartoons of Sandra Boynton, are a perfect match for the text, capturing the crocodile’s emotions through adjustments to the eyes and eyebrows and alterations in just how many of crocodile’s gleaming, deadly teeth are showing. Like the text, the illustrations keep readers guessing as to what the crocodile will actually eat until the final page. VERDICT Giggles guaranteed in this hilarious easy reader; a nice piece of overturned expectations, sure to delight.
–Sally James, School Library Journal
“A surprisingly endearing character, with a wry text and expressive pictures that appeal to both children and adults.”
– Imaginary Elevators