In this deceptively simple counting book, Max and Josephine tend their garden while readers follow along, counting from one to ten as the garden is planted. Then readers can count in groups of tens as the garden is harvested, while they search through the pictures for the many small animals that are hiding throughout. A concise and clever text introduces color and rhythm, and the illustrations are bright and engaging, making this a perfect counting book for children aged three to seven.
First published in 1986 and a staple ever since for parents of preschool children and teachers of primary grades, One Watermelon Seed is presented in a new edition with a bold new cover and interior art.
Celia Barker Lottridge
Celia is a storyteller and a multi-award winning author of picture books and novels for children, including The Name of the Tree, Ticket to Curlew, Wings to Fly, and The Little Rooster and the Diamond Button. Formerly a children's librarian and bookseller, Celia was born in Iowa City and lives in Toronto, Ontario.
Karen Patkau
Karen is an author, designer, visual artist and visual arts educator. She has illustrated a number of picture books, including Don't Eat Spiders, Sir Cassie to the Rescue, and Creatures Great and Small, which she also wrote. Her honors include the Ezra Jack Keats Memorial Medal, the International Graphic Design Award, and a Resource Links "Best of the Year." Born and raised in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Karen lives in Toronto, Ontario.
"One Watermelon Seed offers countless (pun intended!) early learning opportunities and is a valuable resource for all school and public library collections.
Highly Recommended"
— CM Magazine
"Luxuriant illustrations, a counting lesson that goes beyond 1 to 10, and the fun of hunting for hidden creatures: this new edition of One Watermelon Seed is sure to be a hit with both preschoolers and those who read to them."
— ForeWord Magazine
"First published in 1986, this new, delicious edition with its brightly coloured digital illustrations belongs in the first rank of books of its genre: the counting book."
— The Globe and Mail
"The vibrant colors and close-up views of the produce make it look delicious and irresistible. . . This appealing book is great for classroom counting and discussions of seasons."
— The School Library Journal
"Lottridge's text is musical and brief, while Patkau's illustrations celebrate the abundant colour of a summer garden."
— The Toronto Star
"As I write this, seeds are beginning to sprout in my own children's vegetable garden and the excitement of my family is palpable. So, too, is the pleasure in this book, which takes the delight of coaxing food out of the earth and matched it with the thrill of sharing a book with a loved one. . . Bright illustrations boost the joy of reading this delightful book."
— Today's Parent