The Watermelon Seed by Greg Pizzoli

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The Watermelon Seed, Greg Pizzoli's debut picture book, is also the winner of the Theodore Seuss Geisel Award, and honor that often goes to Mo Willems's dynamic, neurotic duo, Elephant & Piggie. This is apt, as Pizzoli's melon-munching-crocodile is every bit as expressive and engaging as Willems's characters and his illustration style, while equally simplistic, is more elegant in execution and color palette. 
The story begins with the croc expressing a deep, constant love for watermelon, including a "big salty slab for dinner" and of course, watermelon for dessert. 


When the crocodile accidentally swallows a seed, the love story turns into a pint-sized horror story as he imagines all the possible things that can happen now. However, a grumbling tummy and an enormous burp that is sure to get laughs, turn things around again - mostly.

Pizzoli's crocodile expresses the anxieties and fears natural in all little watermelon eaters in a gentle and humorous way without being dismissive of this concern, which is fantastic. However, what I find most memorable and exciting about The Watermelon Seed is Pizzoli's graphic style of illustration and attention to details that give depth to this delightful debut! And, I just have to mention it again, the out of the ordinary, cool palette of colors that Pizzoli uses.

The book trailer for The Watermelon Seed is a MUST WATCH. It's short, features a few scenes not in the book and, best of all, doesn't give away the ending like I did . . . 


Source: Review Copy

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