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The Watermelon Seed    by Greg Pizzoli Amazon.com order for
Watermelon Seed
by Greg Pizzoli
Order:  USA  Can
Hyperion, 2013 (2013)
Hardcover
* * *   Reviewed by Bob Walch

It seems there is now a picture book that addresses virtually every situation a child will encounter in his or her first five years of existence. Greg Pizzoli uses humor to show there's no need to be overly distressed if you swallow a small seed of some type.

The cute little crocodile in this book just loves watermelon. 'Ever since I was a teeny, tiny baby crocodile it's been my favorite. I like it for breakfast. I like it for lunch. I like a big salty slab for dinner ... and I love it for dessert,' he says.

But, when the little fellow swallows a seed, panic sets in. 'It's growing in my guts! Soon vines will come out of my ears! My stomach will stretch! I don't want to be in a fruit salad!'

With his active imagination conjuring up all sorts of terrible scenarios, the crocodile is quite distressed until 'Buuuuuuurrrrrrrrrpppp!!!' the little seed
is expelled from his mouth. (There was another option but Pizzoli decided this one was the least offensive!)

Will he swear off watermelon now after this close call? Perhaps. But, watermelon does taste so good that may be hard to do.

Nicely illustrated with big, bold art, this funny story about swallowing a seed should allay any child's fear about being in a similar predicament. Pizzoli's character underlines the fact that, one way or another, the situation will pass and there is nothing to worry about!

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