The Watermelon Seed
by Greg Pizzoli
Disney/Hyperion, 2013

This book is so bright and simple looking. I know I can read it even though I only have a few minutes. When I was a kid, I loved the Lyle, Lyle Crocodile books, by Bernard Waber, and the main character on the cover reminds me of Lyle. The title is The Watermelon Seed, and I wonder what’s going to happen with it. I can think of a few possibilities. Maybe he’s going to spit the seed. Or he could swallow it. Or he could choke on it (I hope not!). We’ll see.

The main character is so excited about his watermelon. I like the big, bold text. And how could you not like this guy? He’s so happy and cute. I like that’s it’s from his point of view. We’re right inside his head and can feel his excitement. (CCRA.R.6) I wish I knew his name, though. I kind of feel like he’s a friend, and I should know his name.

But then, after he declares his love for watermelon (again), I turn the page, and it’s almost all black. ?Gulp.? Uh oh. From the black color (CCRA.R.7) and the look on his face, I think he swallowed a seed. (CCRA.R.1)

To be continued…

In this blog feature, I share a picture book I really enjoy and externalize my process of reading it–and then I go back and add in the CCSS Anchor Standards that my reading thoughts relate to. I’m hoping this will be useful for those of you who are?educators sharing books with kids and perhaps give you ideas of some?elements you could include?in your book discussions.