My uncle described to me a book he has searched for, but cannot locate. He does not recall the title, author, publisher, etc… The book would have to be pre-1955.
The story was about an ‘Aminal’ who was the only one of his kind. He saw the world around him, there were Animals who were like each other, but the ‘Aminal’ was unique. The ‘Aminal’ ate only the left-half of split peas. He was greenish maybe and looked somewhat reptilian.
Thanks for your help!
It’s not quite a match, but you could try ‘The Funny Thing’ by Wanda Gag, about a doll-eating “Aminal” who is, I believe, the only one of his kind. I don’t recall the left-side of the split peas thing being in there, though.
“The Funny Thing is Gág’s follow-up to her well-loved first book, Millions of Cats. It tells the story of a curious dragon-like “aminal” that eats children’s dolls. A kindly old man named Bobo cannot stand by and allow the Funny Thing to steal dolls from children. He entices it to eat “jum-jills,” a concoction he makes up from seven nut cakes, five seed puddings, two cabbage salads, and fifteen little cheeses, all rolled into little balls. A happy ending is assured when the Funny Thing discovers he loves jum-jills and is convinced that they will make his tail grow longer and his blue points grow more beautiful. He returns each day for the treats and never eats another doll. “
My guess is that that’s The Aminal, by Lorna Balian. This aminal is furry and green on the cover…I don’t remember if it’s reptilian inside!
I know that it’s not The Aminal, by Balian. The book I’m searching for is older, would’ve been written pre-1960.