AAAlligator! — Judith Henderson

A humorous tale about acceptance, social justice and keeping an open mind. Though he's scared at first, a boy who encounters an alligator in the woods discovers all the creature wants is companionship -- and leftovers! -- and the two become friends. But the mayor of the boy's town won't have it. He makes a proclamation, “NO ALLIGATORS! Blah, blah, blah.” Which the townspeople agree with, at first. Then they realize how friendly the alligator is (and how nice it is to have someone eat their leftovers!), and they want him to stay. Can they all come together and find a way to keep the alligator in their town? See you later, alligator? Not if these townspeople can help it!