The Watermelon Seed

With perfect comic pacing, Greg Pizzoli introduces us to one funny crocodile who has one big fear: swallowing a watermelon seed. Will vines sprout out his ears? Will his skin turn pink? This crocodile has a wild imagination that kids will love, and the new board-book format makes this hilarious romp the perfect pick for preschoolers.

“"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”

"Pizzoli legitimizes childish anxieties but also slyly exaggerates each worry to highlight the humor - New York Times

The illustrations, done in a graphic, flat-color style with simple linework, recall the cheerful stylings of Ed Emberley and Roger Hargreaves. While Pizzoli uses the computer to arrange his compositions, he takes extra care to hand print the pieces. Done in a three-color printing, the silk screen offers a toothiness to the page, giving fruit, animal and emotions more substance. - Kirkus Reviews

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

Greg Pizzoli is an author, illustrator, and screen printer. When not chomping down on watermelon, Greg can be found making picturebooks at his studio in Philadelphia. He is also the author of Number One Sam, Templeton Gets His Wish, and Good Night Owl. Visit him at

With perfect comic pacing, Greg Pizzoli introduces us to one funny crocodile who has one big fear: swallowing a watermelon seed. Will vines sprout out his ears? Will his skin turn pink? This crocodile has a wild imagination that kids will love, and the new board-book format makes this hilarious romp the perfect pick for preschoolers. Praise for The Watermelon Seed Winner of the 2014 Theodor Seuss Geisel Award "Pizzoli legitimizes childish anxieties but also slyly exaggerates each worry to highlight the humor." -New York Times "It's an 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 "The illustrations, done in a graphic, flat-color style with simple linework, recall the cheerful stylings of Ed Emberley and Roger Hargreaves. While Pizzoli uses the computer to arrange his compositions, he takes extra care to hand print the pieces. Done in a three-color printing, the silk screen offers a toothiness to the page, giving fruit, animal and emotions more substance." - Kirkus Reviews "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 Praise for Number One Sam "Pizzoli's zingy ice-pop colors and dramatically varied page compositions take home the blue ribbon." -New York Times "[A] class act." -Kirkus Reviews, starred review "[A]nother winner from Pizzoli." - Publishers Weekly , starred review * "'[A] popular choice at storytimes." - School Library Journal "Pizzoli's talent with color, easy-to-read words, and humor is something to behold . . . This one does it all." - Horn Book "[T]his will zoom off shelves." -Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books Praise for Templeton Gets His Wish "Cheerful entertainment, with just a touch of snark." -Publishers Weekly "The story's exuberance is catching and reassuring . . . Templeton is a celebration of independence, and of our complex feelings about those we love." -Horn Book "Templeton...conveys intense emotion with a few simple lines and very bright colors, as his tale reflects the endearing aspects of a small child's struggles to behave." -Booklist

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