Chestnut Cove

by Tim Egan

When King Milford offers his entire kingdom to the person who can grow the largest juiciest watermelon, the inhabitants of Chestnut Cove become selfish and stop helping each other

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens

32 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1995

Reviews

[Melki · Rating 4 out of 5]

Chestnut Cove is a tight-knit little community where the residents are polite, kind, and always willing to help each other out . . . like that time Joe Morgan's cow got stuck in a tree. Did I mention that the citizens resemble clothes-wearing hippos, yet they own livestock and pets? Yeah. That's why it took me a while to warm up to this one: it seemed as though the author was going out of his way to be wacky just because this is a children's book.

But then . . . the King challenges the town to a watermelon growing contest, and offers a spectacular prize to the winner. Everything changes. Soon it's neighbor against neighbor as everyone tries to grow the tastiest melon. Will it take a crisis to get the folks of Chestnut Cove to start working together again?

In the end, this endearing little tale won me over. Sometimes it takes some hippos (and a little pig) to show us the best side of human nature.

[Cheryl A. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great message. I wonder how the formerly successful King Milford got so stupid this time, though. And that poor goat stuck in the bench! Are these supposed to be hippos? And ostriches that the children ride to school? So absurd. Egan doesn't always pull it off, imo, but when it's a fable with some heart, then I'm happy.

[The Brothers · Rating 3 out of 5]

A kinda weird story about a king declaring a watermelon growing contest to find an heir for his kingdom and how one little town becomes unfriendly and suspicious because of the contest. In the end, the peril of a little pig returns them to their normal friendly ways.

Pretty nice illustrations.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best children's authors and illustrators. A great book.

[Taryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Tim Egan's stuff, and this is among his best. Excellent story and wit.