Lune, Bonsoir. Watermelon Pool. Bonsoir Lune, Illus. Translated from the Korean by Frances Cha. Penguin/Dial, 06/2026. [54]pp. Picture Book. Trade $19.99. 979-8-2171-1178-7. GRADES Kindergarten–2. OUTSTANDING.
Summertime is here amongst an East Asian countryside of green rice patties, where a watermelon splits open with a “CRACK” to create a public pool for soaking, swimming, sliding, and playing that is popular with ages young and old. Bonsoir Lune tells an original whimsical story with minimal narrative text, short dialogues, and simple onomatopoeia paired with picturesque spreads and multi-panels of colored pencil drawings. This union of text and illustrations creates an innovative concept of a watermelon pool that conveys a typical, joyous moment in a world both familiar and fantastical: “The cloud seller’s cloud parasols and rain-cloud showers are as popular as ever this year.” This English translation allows readers to appreciate the original Korean bestseller, first published in 2015, with relatable vocabulary that still retains the flavors of Korea. Young readers will delight in this refreshing tale, whether gearing up for summer or anticipating the next.
Allison Law—Contra Costa County Library