Isaac the Instigator  (Illustrated) Spiral-Bound | March 6, 2022

Isaac isn’t any ordinary alligator living quietly in the swamp. He’s an INSTIgator!


He spends his days spying on the neighbors and eavesdropping on their conversations. The more he listens, the more jealous he becomes. They have real friendships. He’s all alone. With no one to talk to except an old, rotting stump, Isaac is angry and miserable. So he sets out to make sure everyone else in the swamp is miserable, too.


Isaac can perfectly mimic every voice in the swamp, and he uses this special talent to start arguments, stir up trouble, and turn friends against friends.

Isaac gleefully watches the mischief he set in motion.

He didn’t care If I can’t have friends, why should anyone else? he tells the stump.

But can he instigate a fight between two of the swamp’s biggest besties? Or will they sniff out his dirty trick and teach him a lesson he’ll never forget?

Follow Isaac as he learns that treating others with kindness is the first step to creating friendships. And that having a friend can help you feel less angry.

Author Jeff Tucker delivers a timely and powerful message about trust, deception, forgiveness and friendship.

Isaac the InstiGator is an entertaining story written for young readers in Grades K-5. Included are tips for parents, counselors and educators on how to help children build relationships with peers, show kindness and compassion, and cultivate empathy.

Tucker is the creator of the popular Chicorée Elementary Stories for Success book series, which includes:

• My Name’s Sammy, and I’m No Snitch – Sammy never snitches, but he learns that sometime you need to involve an adult when safety is a concern


• Emelia Understands Equity – Emelia learns that fair doesn’t always mean equal