Oliver, A Story About Adoption by Lois Wickstrom, illustrated by Priscilla Marden

Oliver (an alligator like creature) is stuck in his room. His father sent him there for playing pirate in a tree that was too young to be climbed.
Oh, if only he still lived with his birthparents! What could he do if he were with them? Be a scientist? Or trapeze artist? Do other people wish
for other parents when they are angry with their own? What should Oliver do?