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…learn more After the War
Written and illustrated by Bob Kerr
Published by Mallinson Rendel, 2000

…learn more Battle of the Mountains
Written and illustrated by Peter Gossage
Published by Reed Publishing, 2005

…learn more A Booming in the Night
Written by Ben Brown, illustrated by Helen Taylor
Published by Reed, 2005

…learn more Counting the Stars — Four Māori Myths
Written and illustrated by Gavin Bishop
Published by Random House, 2009

…learn more Dad’s Takeaways
Written by Melanie Drewery, illustrated by Christopher White
Published by Mallinson Rendel. 2007

…learn more Every Second Friday
Written by Kiri Lightfoot, illustrated by Ben Galbraith
Published by Hodder, 2008

…learn more Haere — Farewell, Jack, farewell
Written by Tim Tipene, illustrated by Huhana Smith
Published by Huia, 2006

…learn more Hairy Maclary from Donaldson’s Dairy
Written and illustrated by Lynley Dodd
Published by Mallinson Rendel, 1983

…learn more The House That Grew
Written by Jean Strathdee, illustrated by Jessica Wallace
Published by Oxford, 1979

…learn more The House that Jack Built
Written and illustrated by Gavin Bishop
Published by Scholastic, 1999

…learn more Kimi and the Watermelon
Written by Miriam Smith, illustrated by David Armitage
Published by Puffin, 1983

…learn more The Kuia and the Spider
Written by Patricia Grace, illustrated byRobyn Kahukiwa
Published by Puffin, 1983

…learn more Nobody’s Dog
Written by Jennifer Beck, illustrated by Lindy Fisher
Published by Scholastic, 2005

…learn more Old Hu-Hu
Written by Kyle Mewburn, illustrated by Rachel Driscoll
Published by Scholastic, 2009

…learn more A Summery Saturday Morning
Written by Margaret Mahy, illustrated by Selina Young
Published by Puffin Books, 1999

…learn more Tahi, one lucky kiwi
Written by Melanie Drewery, illustrated by John O’Reilly and Ali Teo
Published by Random House, 2007

…learn more Taming the Taniwha
Written by Tim Tipene, illustrated by Henry Campbell
Published by Huia, 2005

…learn more The Trolley
Written by Patricia Grace, illustrated by Kerry Gemmill
Published by Viking, 1993

…learn more Tane Steals the Show
Written by Lino Nelisi, illustrated by Gus Hunter
Published by Scholastic 1997

…learn more The Terrible Taniwha of Timberditch
Written by Joy Cowley, illustrated by Rodney McRae
Published by Puffin, 2009. Previously published 1982.

…learn more Watercress Tuna and the Children of Champion Street
Written by Patricia Grace, illustrated by Robyn Kahukiwa
Published by Puffin, 1984

…learn more The Whale Rider
Written by Witi Ihimaera, illustrated by Bruce Potter
Published by Reed, 2005

Kimi and the Watermelon

Written by Miriam Smith

Illustrated by David Armitage

Published by Puffin, 1983

ISBN: 0-14-050950-x

NZC activities for this picture book here.

Kimi lives with her grandmother and her Uncle Tau in the country. Together they plant a huge vegetable garden, including one tiny watermelon plant. When Uncle Tau has to go to the city to work, he asks Kimi to look after the watermelon plant so it will be ready to eat when he gets back. Kimi diligently waters and cares for the watermelon plant, which grows and lightens perfectly, ready to eat. She waits and waits, through the seasons, but Uncle Tau has not returned. Just when she is about to give up on him, he appears and they can finally share the watermelon together. A heartwarming story about the importance of family, and what it is like to miss someone when they are gone. The text and illustrations show New Zealand themes throughout, including fishing for eels, precious greenstones and images of flax kete, as well as rural New Zealand landscapes.

Summary written by Marion McKoy

Book cover used with permission of publisher