Crocker, Carter

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Crocker, Carter

Personal

Male.

Addresses

Home and office—CA.

Career

Writer. Scriptwriter and story editor for television programs, including Disney's Winnie the Pooh: Seasons of Giving, The New Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, 1988-90, Darkwing Duck, 1991, Winnie the Pooh: Seasons of Giving, 1999, and Horseland, 2006-07.

Awards, Honors

Daytime Emmy for Outstanding Animated Program, 1990, for The New Adventures of Winnie the Pooh; Daytime Emmy for Outstanding Children's Animated Program nominee, 2006, for Baby Looney Tunes.

Writings

FOR CHILDREN

The Tale of the Swamp Rat, Philomel Books (New York, NY), 2003.

Author of television scripts for programs, including Madame's Place, 1982; The New Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, 1988-90; Goof Troop, 1992; Boo to You Too!Winnie the Pooh, 1996; Pooh's Grand Adventure: The Search for Christopher Robin, 1997; Disney's Belle's Magical World and Young Hercules, both 1998; Winnie the Pooh: A Valentine for You, Winnie the Pooh: Seasons of Giving, A Very Goofy Christmas, and Mickey's Once upon a Christmas, all 1999; Nine Dog Christmas, 2001; Little People: Big Discoveries, Return to Never Land, and Sabrina the Teenage Witch in: Friends Forever, all 2002; New Girl in Town and The Jungle Book 2, 2003; A Hair A-Faire and Trollz, both 2005; You Can' Judge a Girl by Her Limo, Horseland, Merlin, l'enchanteur, Barney and Friends, Welcome, Cousin Riff: Special Skills, Barney: Let's Make Music, Strawberry Shortcake: The Sweet Dreams Movie, Winnie the Pooh: Wonderful Word Adventure, and Winnie the Pooh: Shapes and Sizes, all 2006; Barney: Dino-mite Birthday, 2007; and Hi! I'm Riff!, and Barney: Animal ABC's, both 2008.

Sidelights

Carter Crocker has worked extensively in television and film, bringing many favorite children's characters to life, including Barney and Winnie the Pooh. Crocker's career has spanned several decades, beginning as an assistant story editor and eventually winning a Daytime Emmy award for his work in television. Turning to writing, his well-received picture book, The Tale of the Swamp Rat invites children into a new world and brings several interesting characters to life.

The Tale of the Swamp Rat is set in an unusual location: a Florida swamp. Told by a tiny creature named Little Mole, the story focuses on the main character, Ossie, a swamp rat whose small size makes him very vulnerable. After Ossie's parents and siblings meet an untimely death—they are, eaten by Mr. Took, the rattle-snake—the rat finds himself fighting to survive on his own. A very old alligator, Uncle Will, takes care of Oddir, letting the rat rest on his back while predators stay at bay. Through the alligator, Ossie learns about the history of the swamp, including tales of Native Americans, runaway slaves, and poachers. He also finds love with the beautiful Emma, but Prophet Bubba, a misguided and ill-intentioned stork, begins to spread rumors about the rat. While dealing with these rumors, Ossie must also fend off Mr. Took and find a way to help his friends deal with a local drought.

Booklist contributor John Green wrote of The Tale of the Swamp Rat that Crocker's "writing is uncommonly evocative, and this is the kind of folkloric fiction that kids can treasure." Susan Oliver, reviewing the book for School Library Journal, praised the story's main character. "With Southern flavor, adventure, and environmental drama, Ossie's tale of finding his own way in the world will hit close to home for many," the critic concluded. A Kirkus Reviews writer deemed The Tale of the Swamp Rat entertaining as well as educational, adding that "readers may enjoy Crocker's low-key brand of humor and non-preachy philosophizing." In Publishers Weekly a reviewer concluded of the book that "the real joy here is simply spending time with these memorable characters."