Watermelon Day

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. Then when the big day finally arrives, Jesse has more waiting to do while the melon cools down in the icy water of the deep, deep lake. Waiting through more innings of softball and visits with cousins, and peach ice cream. Waiting for the first taste of the biggest, juiciest melon in the whole patch!

Kathi Appelt’s lively story and Dale Gottlieb’s exuberant illustrations combine to create a joyful celebration of gardens, and growing things, summer and family.