“The Watermelon Seed” by Greg Pizzoli
Chances are you have heard the joke that you can’t swallow a watermelon seed because if you do then a watermelon will grow in your stomach. Well, this is an entire picture book based off of that classic joke. It features an alligator who simply loves to eat watermelon. However, he accidentally swallows a seed and then proceeds to panic and imagine all the horrible things that may happen now such as a watermelon growing in his stomach and the vines coming out of his ears.
It is done in a humorous and fun-loving way and readers will delight in his frenzy and the witty text. The illustrations are simple and contrasting for a fun and modern feel and are just fantastic. This little book is a quick read that is sure to be requested over and over again.
Click here to purchase “The Watermelon Seed” *affiliate link
Watermelon Suncatcher Craft
We thought that this playful classic deserved a book craft centered all around the main star of the book: watermelons. We opted for some simple, yet fun suncatchers that are an absolute blast to make and add a bit of summer flare to your windows. We used red cellophane and contact paper, but both are easily substitutable for red tissue paper and black construction paper if you have those on hand and would rather use them instead. My kids and I had so much fun making them and we hope you enjoy them as much as we do. Maybe even with a slice of real watermelon on the side to munch on throughout the process…
Supplies:
- red cellophane (can be substituted for red tissue paper)
- black contact paper (can be substituted for black construction paper)
- inexpensive paper plate
- green acrylic paint
- paint brush
- scissors
- craft glue
Process:
- Cut out the center of your paper plate.
- Paint the edge of the plate (what is left) with green paint to make the “rind”. You can keep your paper plate in one hollowed out circle for a “cross cut” watermelon slice or you can cut it in half for two half slices of watermelon. (We did one of each with two paper plates.)
- After your paint is dry, Use your paper plate “rind” as a template, cut out red cellophane (or red tissue paper) to cover the opening of your watermelon slice. Then glue it to the back of your plate.
- Cut some black watermelon seeds from your black contact paper and stick them on top of your red “watermelon flesh”. (You can also glue on some seeds that you cut out of black construction paper.) Hang on a window!
If you give this Beyond the Book activity a try I’d love to hear how it goes! Share it on Instagram and tag me! (I’m on Instagram as @book.nerd.mommy) or even just comment here with your thoughts. It would make my day! Or to simply save for later pin the image below.
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