Watermelon Day

by Kathi Appelt, Dale Gottlieb (Illustrator)

There's a watermelon growing in the corner of the patch where the fence posts meet, and Jesse is waiting for it. Waiting for it to fill up with the cool summer rain and the hot summer sun. Waiting until at last it is ripe and ready for eating. Waiting until it is ready for her family's annual Watermelon day.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Food, Summer, Kids, Fiction

32 pages, Hardcover

First published March 15, 1996

About the author

Lives in College Station, TX with husband Ken and four adorable cats.

Two sons, both musicians.

Serves on the faculty at Vermont College of Fine Arts in the MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults Program.

Reviews

[Alice · Rating 3 out of 5]

I hate watermelon...I don't like melons in general...so enjoy.
But I grew pumpkins last year for the first time...and I have decided I should just grow sunflowers and pumpkins, because I am a natural! I grew the pumpkins honestly to just have for decoration in the Fall. And I got 5 pumpkins out of one small seed. The watching it grow and nurture like the girl with her watermelon...I get it... a lot of work for just one meal. That is how I feel about my whole garden 4 months of work and one meal

[Cheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm sorry. I think the story is probably pretty good, a richer story than, say The Carrot Seed. I like cooling the watermelon all day in the lake, while there's a small family reunion going on. But the illustrations are, imo, ugly, and therefore distracting.

[Reagan Crook]

Read for library storytime :)

[Stephanie Ung · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a fun book to read during a science lesson/activity. It can be used to talk about the different plants that grow in a certain seasons. This book also talks about summer so have students come up with other plants that grow in the summer time.

It's an easy book to read, one that I would also read to teach students about patience. I would remind them that everything in life, just like plants, takes time.

[Khadija Bensaadoun · Rating 4 out of 5]

A simple story about a young boy who excitedly waits for his watermelon to ripe. This book could be used for a 2nd grade science lesson on seeds. The students can discuss the different kinds of seeds of vegetables and fruits. For an activity the teacher can bring different seeds and the students identify what fruit or vegetable the seeds come from. Extension: the students can label the different parts of a seed.

[Misty · Rating 3 out of 5]

I could see students referencing this book during a writer's workshop. The way Kathi Appelt used her periods would be excellent for students to look at and discuss why they think she did it that way. This book is also perfect for talking about being patient. If you patiently wait then good things will come to you.

[Christy · Rating 4 out of 5]

There's a watermelon growing in the corner of the patch where the fence posts meet, and Jesse is waiting for it. Waiting for it to fill up with the cool summer rain and the hot summer sun. Waiting until at last it is ripe and ready for eating. Waiting until it is ready for her family's annual Watermelon day.

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was not a huge fan of this book, just because the simplicity of it. This could be why the book is good though as well. I could see it being used for an introductory text when students are watching plans grow. They can see how it takes time, water, and sun to nurture and grow.

[Paige Norwood · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great children's book to read with kiddos or just to get in touch with your inner kiddo. Simple story is highlighted with action words, beautiful illustrations and depicts the growth cycle of a watermelon during the summer months. Had me craving watermelon after.

[Lindsay · Rating 4 out of 5]

summer, watermelon, summer food, picnic

[Shauna · Rating 5 out of 5]

My daughter (6) absolutely LOVES this story, especially the illustrations.

[The Reading Countess · Rating 3 out of 5]

I checked this one out at our school library since I have loved her MG books. Youngest wasn't as receptive to this one as I thought. I wonder if he lacked the background knowledge?

[Teri · Rating 3 out of 5]

OK--might be nice to go along with Little House on the Prairie--where some people thought fever and ague came from watermelons. Pa goes to get a watermelon as soon as the family is well.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fun day for all to celebrate. The day the watermelon is picked, and the long wait until that delicious day.