The Watermelon Seed - by Greg Pizzoli (Hardcover)

About the Book

With perfect comic pacing, Pizzoli introduces a funny crocodile who has one big fear: swallowing a watermelon seed. What will he do when his greatest fear is realized? With bold color and beautiful sense of design, Pizzoli's picture book debut takes this familiar childhood worry and gives presents a true gem. Full color.

Book Synopsis

In this award-winning read-aloud classic, the crocodile has a problem: he loves watermelon, but he's afraid of what will happen if he eats one of the seeds-there's only one way to find out!

Crocodile loves watermelon, but what will happen when his greatest fear of swallowing a watermelon seed comes to pass? Will vines sprout out his ears? Will his skin turn pink? Only one thing is certain: his wild imagination will have kids laughing out loud and begging for another read.

With perfect comic pacing, bold color and dynamic sense of design, four-time Theodor Seuss Geisel Award recipient Greg Pizzoli's picture book debut transforms this familiar childhood anxiety into a contemporary classic read-aloud perfect for fans of I Want My Hat Back.

"Children will love this hilarious book. The story has broad appeal, making it a great first purchase." --School Library Journal (starred review)

Don't miss these other favorite books by Greg Pizzoli:
Mr. Kitty Is Lost!
The Book Hog
Good Night Owl
Number One Sam
Templeton Gets His Wish
This Story is For You
The Twelve Days of Christmas

Review Quotes

"With a sharp graphic sensibility, vibrant design, and adept characterization, Pizzoli spins the simple premise into a sweet confection, ripe with broad humor."--Booklist Online

"A juicy premise...Pizzoli legitimizes childish anxieties but also slyly exaggerates each worry to highlight the humor."--The New York Times

"The illustrations...recall the cheerful stylings of Ed Emberely and Roger Hargreaves. Deliciously bright colors...leap from the page."--Kirkus Reviews

* "[A]n expert debut."--Publishers Weekly (starred review)

* "Children will love this hilarious book. The story has broad appeal, making it a great first purchase."--School Library Journal (starred review)

About the Author

Greg Pizzoli is the creator of the Baloney & Friends series as well as a four-time Theodor Seuss Geisel Award recipient for The Watermelon Seed (Medal winner), The Book Hog (Honor book), Good Night Owl (Honor book), and Earl & Worm: The Big Mess and Other Stories (Honor Book). He is also the author-illustrator of This Story Is for You, The 12 Days of Christmas, Templeton Gets His Wish, and Number One Sam. His nonfiction for children includes the New York Times Best Illustrated Book The Impossible True Story of Tricky Vic: The Man Who Sold the Eiffel Tower, and he has also illustrated picture books written by authors such as Mac Barnett, Kelly DiPucchio, Jennifer Adams, and Margaret Wise Brown. He lives in Philadelphia.