Join the hilarious adventure of a fearful crocodile in Greg Pizzoli's picture book, where one little watermelon seed sets off a wild chain of events. With vibrant colors and a captivating sense of design, Pizzoli's debut is a true gem for kids, reminiscent of beloved titles like 'I Want My Hat Back' and 'Not a Box.' Get ready to laugh and gasp at this crocodile's wild imagination!
4.8Editorial Reviews From School Library Journal PreS-Gr 1-Children will love this hilarious book
Crocodile has devoured watermelon since babyhood and eats it every chance he gets
One day, however, he swallows a seed
This sends him into a panic
Will it grow inside him and come out of his ears? Will he grow larger and turn pink? The poor crocodile is so worried until he burps up the seed
He vows to never eat watermelon again, but will he be able to resist? The illustrations of the reptile's fear about what might happen to him are very funny and the oversize font on those pages reinforces the emotion in the story
The artwork was created by screen print in pink, green, black, and brown
This simplicity allows readers to fully appreciate the changes in the croc's facial expressions, which artfully contribute to the humor
The story has broad appeal, making it a great first purchase
-Amy Shepherd, St
Anne's Episcopal School, Middleton, DEα(c) Copyright 2013
Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc
No redistribution permitted
FromBooklist The story is as old as time
Crocodile meets watermelon
Crocodile adores watermelon
Crocodile eats watermelon
Crocodile inadvertently swallows seed
Crocodile frets and worries and engages in histrionic apoplexy at certain I’m-gonna-turn-into-a-watermelon fate
Crocodile burps, expelling seed
Crocodile vows never to eat watermelon again
And the cycle repeats itself, presumably in perpetuity
With a sharp graphic sensibility, vibrant design, and adept characterization, Pizzoli spins the simple premise into a sweet confection, ripe with broad humor
Working in watermelon pink, apple green, and crisp black, blocked on buff stock, the artist manipulates his high-contrast palette to maximum effect
In his first-person rant, the crocodile pushes at the fourth wall, not quite breaking it, and certainly owes something to Mo Willems’ titular pigeon in attitude and affect
But he is his own crocodile, with his own neurosis, and is sure to win his own fans and repeat readings
Preschool-Grade 1
--Thom Barthelmess
Review From School Library Journal (Starred Review)"Children will love this hilarious book
The artwork was created by screen print in pink, green, [and] black
This simplicity allows readers to fully appreciate the changes in the croc's facial expressions, which artfully contribute to the humor
"
From Publishers Weekly (Starred Review)"[A]n expert debut
"
From The New York Times"a juicy premise
Pizzoli legitimizes childish anxieties but also slyly exaggerates each worry to highlight the humor
"
From Booklist"With a sharp graphic sensibility, vibrant design, and adept characterization, Pizzoli spins the simple premise into a sweet confection, ripe with broad humor
"
From Kirkus"deliciously bright colors that leap from the page
"
About the Author Greg Pizzoli is an author, illustrator and screen printer
When not chomping down on watermelon, he can be found in his studio or teaching at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia, where he also received his MFA
This is his first book
Visit him at gregpizzoli.com
Read more
Product details
How to buy
Guess you like it
