You Can Do It! by Betsy Lewin

From chapters.ca:
With a little motivation from his friend, a crocodile realizes he can indeed triumph in the big race in this delightful young reader by a Caldecott Honor- winning illustrator. Can I do it? wonders the little crocodile when he sees a sign for Sunday's big swimming race. A mean, bigger crocodile tells him he cannot win, but the little crocodile's friend helps him train and tells him more than once that he can indeed succeed. On the day of the big race, the little crocodile is ready to prove himself. Beguiling characters are brought to life in buoyant pen- and- ink drawings with watercolour washes in this tribute to determination.