Watermelon Day
What’s inside...
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.
Age
4-7
Length
32 pages
Text complexity
Character compass
Jesse
Grandma
Discussion points
Why do you think Jessie was so excited for Watermelon Day?
What are some ways that the family preparing for Watermelon Day showed their love for each other?
How do you think each character felt during the watermelon feast?
Can you think of a special family tradition that we have like Watermelon Day?
What would you do if you could plan your own Watermelon Day?
Tip: Role play these questions
Use expressive reading: Vary your voice for different characters to make the storytelling more engaging and help your child differentiate between the characters.
Connect to your child's experiences: Relate the events of the book to your own family traditions or gatherings to make the story more relevant to your child.
Ask predictive questions: While reading, pause to ask your child what they think will happen next. This encourages active participation and critical thinking.
Encourage empathy: Discuss the emotions of each character and ask your child how they would feel in similar situations.
Celebrate the theme: Consider having a mini 'watermelon day' with your child to bring to life the joy and celebrations from the book.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Value of family traditions
Explanation: In 'Watermelon Day', the protagonist eagerly awaits the family tradition of picking the first watermelon of the season. This recurring event underlines the importance of family traditions.
Real-World Application: Children can appreciate and partake in their own family traditions, understanding the significance of such events in strengthening familial bonds.
Example Lesson: Patience
Explanation: The anticipation of the watermelon ripening teaches the young protagonist—and young readers—the value of patience.
Real-World Application: This can help children grasp the concept of waiting for the right time for certain activities, such as waiting their turn, or for special occasions.
Example Lesson: Joy in simple pleasures
Explanation: The story highlights the joy found in simple, everyday activities like eating watermelon with family.
Real-World Application: Children learn to find happiness in simple, everyday moments, appreciating what they have rather than longing for elaborate or material things.
Example Lesson: Sharing with others
Explanation: After the watermelon is finally ready, it's shared among family members, emphasizing the importance of sharing.
Real-World Application: This lesson teaches children the importance of generosity and sharing with others, be it sharing food or toys with siblings and friends.