Mom eats a watermelon by Danny and Kim Adlerman

“Mom is eating a watermelon.
I know it’s crazy, but it’s true.”

In this laugh-out-loud story, children’s book veterans Danny and Kim Adlerman bring to life the fact that every mom-to-be dreads hearing, “Looks like you’ve got a watermelon in there!”

Our main character, Zoe, knows something strange is happening to Mom and this is the story of how she thinks it’s all her fault. Early last summer, at a family picnic, Zoe and her friend Madeleine had so much fun telling stories and jokes that a watermelon seed flew out of her mouth and landed in mom’s glass. A month later Mom complained that she wasn’t feeling well and one day, as her brother patted Mom’s growing belly, he said, “Looks like you have a watermelon in there!” Zoe thinks it’s because of this seed that she accidentally spat into her mother’s drink. Zoe spends a lot of time waiting and worrying, wondering where the melon would go after it came out of mommy. Soon the big day arrives and the nurse pulls a package from the cart. To Zoe’s surprise, it’s a little girl, not a watermelon! Phew!

The story is in an easy-to-read format for ages 7-10 and is told in six very short chapters, making it a quick and fun read. Halsey’s art is a unique multimedia style that combines collage and watercolor. You really feel Zoe’s fear and guilt as Mom’s belly is shown under a belly X-ray machine, and I enjoyed the “scientific” image of Mom swallowing the seed.

This is a great book to use as an introduction to “the big talk” and for young readers who are curious about where watermelons come from!

In addition to a wonderful story, there are bonus watermelon recipes on the back of the book, provided by the National Watermelon Promotion Council, such as Frosted Watermelon and Watermelon in a Blanket.

Further information:

Authors: Danny and Kim Adlerman
Illustrator: Megan Halsey
Publisher: Les enfants chez nous; April 15, 2009
Reading level: 7-10
Pages: 44