I'm the Scariest Thing in the Jungle!

Named a Finalist for the 2014 Bull-Bransom Award for best children’s book illustrations with a wildlife or nature focus.

Created in 2010 by the National Museum of Wildlife Art in the tradition of such prestigious children’s book illustrator honors as the Caldecott, Coretta Scott King and Hans Christian Andersen awards, the Bull-Bransom Award is named for Charles Livingston Bull and Paul Bransom, among the first American artist-illustrators to specialize in wildlife subjects. Both artists had tremendous impact on younger masters of wildlife art including Bob Kuhn; both created numerous children’s books during their careers, including contributing illustrations to different editions of Jack London’s classic Call of the Wild; and both are well represented in the National Museum of Wildlife Art’s permanent collection.

"Dave Derrick has created a fantastic picture book that is entertaining, informative, and laugh out loud funny. When you add in his expertly drawn gestural illustrations, you have, simply, perfection. I wish I had thought of this!"—Chris Van Dusen, illustrator of Kate DiCamillo's Mercy Watson book series

"Dave's curiosity for the natural world is always obvious to me in his work, and he transfers that love for life to who ever chances upon it. His drawings and compositions show the wonder of the natural world, while his humor and his story layer it with life."—Matt Nolte, Pixar

"David conveys movement and life in his pieces through strong poses and powerful gestures."—Artists for Conservation

In India the Bengal tiger is the king of the land. But the giant saltwater crocodile is the ruler of the water. What happens when the kids of these fearsome beasts meet?

Let's get ready to rumble!

These animals sing their own version of Anything You Can Scare, I Can Scare Better!

The tiger cub and little croc joust in a witty war of words. In a playful game of one-upmanship, they top each other's boasts of who owns the most frightening canines, claws, and capabilities.

Climbing trees and swimming circles around each other, they are truly well-matched adversaries. But will these terrible tykes discover someone even scarier than them? No elephant is waiting around to find out the answer! Enjoy an eye-opening adventure, illustrated by a veteran DreamWorks Animation artist.

David G. Derrick, Jr., lives in Valencia, California.