In my recent online search for new toddler reading material, I came across a book called “The Watermelon Seed” by Greg Pizzoli. Here’s what the book’s publisher had to say about it:
“With perfect comic pacing, Greg Pizzoli introduces us to one funny crocodile who has one big fear: swallowing a watermelon seed. What will he do when his greatest fear is realized? Will vines sprout out his ears? Will his skin turn pink? This crocodile has a wild imagination that kids will love.”
I reached out to Greg to ask him a few questions about the book, and here’s what he had to say:
What inspired you to write about watermelon for your first picture book?
I genuinely love watermelon! It’s my favorite summer food, and I’m known to eat a big slab for dessert whenever the temperature gets up around 80 degrees, so I totally relate to Kroc’s enthusiasm. Plus they aren’t nearly as hard to draw as say, pineapples.
The crocodile is pretty nervous about swallowing that watermelon seed. Did you have a similar experience as a child?
I was definitely told not to swallow any watermelon seeds growing up because I’d have a plant growing in my belly. Nobody wants that. I was forbidden to swallow gum, too. And legos. I think a lot of parenting must be encouraging your kids not to eat your stuff.
What’s next for you as an author? Any more kids’ books on the horizon?
Lot’s more coming soon! Next year I have two more books of my own coming out. One about a dog who drives a race car. That comes out summer 2014. I also have a non-fiction picture book coming out in fall 2014 about a con-man who sold the Eiffel Tower for scrap metal. I just went to Paris to research lattes and croissants for the book. It was exhausting.
You can buy The Watermelon Seed on Amazon.
It won’t be released until May 14, but if you pre-order the book, you’ll receive the book AND a limited edition screen print. I purchased a copy for myself, but the author has agreed to donate a signed copy of the book as this month’s prize. I’ll choose one comment from all the comments received on the blog this month to win it.
As for how the crocodile turns out after swallowing that watermelon seed, I don’t want to spoil the ending, but I’m pretty sure he’ll be okay!