The Adventures of Melon and Turnip
By Trisha Adelena Howell
Illustrator Paul Lopez

     Trisha Adelena Howell and Paul Lopez, the team that brought you the wonderful Princess and the Pekinese, create visual and verbal magic once again in The Adventures of Melon and Turnip. A treat for kids who enjoy the VeggieTales series, this charming fable chronicles the humanity of an unlikely pair of protagonists, Melon and Turnip.

     The two are, in the spirit of the song,“Moon River,” just “two drifters off to see the world/There’s such a lot of world to see.” Gifted poet Howell’s songs of nature echo the gentleness and wonder of the lyrics sung by Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany’s. Melon and Turnip even remind us of the famous movie pair with their sense of belonging, and especially Melon’s vulnerability.

     Despite attacks by rats and birds (who, after all, have to eat), Melon and Turnip discover that the world has much beauty, from apple trees to friendly squirrels to tall pines. Even a snake can be a remarkable thing. Melon and Turnip’s most interesting lesson comes from Snake, who freely admits he eats other creatures to survive and even is willing to offer himself as prey: “If eating me were the only way another creature could survive, I’d understand.” It’s an amazing lesson in serpent wisdom, but snakes often do symbolize wisdom and healing. There’s almost a Garden-of-Eden symbolism, except that Melon and Turnip learn to appreciate other points of view and grow in knowledge and understanding.

     The hotheaded Turnip even discovers that the (hot) peppers of his home soil have feelings too, and in the best tradition of children’s books, the peppers learn consideration and kindness. Seeing others’ points of view through vegetables’ eyes, what a concept. But then, Toy Story and Finding Nemo gave us sweet life lessons with dazzling visuals.

     I can’t forget Paul Lopez’s lifelike illustrations of the Snake meeting Melon and Turnip, the friendly squirrel, and the sweeping forest vistas. Through image and prose, Melon and Turnip come alive as fully-realized characters kids can relate to.

     This is a perfect story time book to read to children, or have them read to you.