Watercress by Andrea Wang and Jason Chin (Neal Porter Books, 2021)
Driving through Ohio in an old Pontiac, a young girl's parents stop
suddenly when they spot watercress growing wild in a ditch by the side
of the road. Grabbing an old paper bag and some rusty scissors, the
whole family wades into the muck to collect as much of the muddy, snail
covered watercress as they can.
At first, she's embarrassed. Why
can't her family get food from the grocery store? But when her mother
shares a story of her family's time in China, the girl learns to
appreciate the fresh food they foraged. Together, they make a new memory
of watercress in this tender story inspired by the author's childhood memories.
About Andrea Wang
Andrea Wang is an acclaimed author of children’s books. Her book Watercress was awarded the Caldecott Medal, a Newbery Honor, the Asian/Pacific American Award for Literature, a New England Book Award, and a Boston Globe-Horn Book Honor. Her other books, The Many Meanings of Meilan, Magic Ramen, and The Nian Monster, have also received awards and starred reviews. Her work explores culture, creative thinking, and identity. She is also the author of seven nonfiction titles for the library and school market. Andrea holds an M.S. in Environmental Science and an M.F.A. in Creative Writing for Young People. She lives in Colorado with her family. Her website is https://andreaywang.com
About Jason Chin
Jason Chin is the author and illustrator of many acclaimed books, including Grand Canyon and Your Place in the Universe. While researching his books, he’s gone swimming with sharks, explored
lava fields and camped with scorpions at the bottom of the Grand
Canyon. Jason loves making art, learning about science and getting
outside to hike, bike, ski and explore. He grew up in a small town in New Hampshire that happened to be
home to Caldecott medalist, Trina Schart Hyman. Hyman presented
regularly at his elementary school and they met when he was a teenager.
She became his mentor and guided him as he pursued a career in the
arts. Jason studied art at Syracuse University and began his
illustration career while living in New York City. In 2009 he published
Redwoods, his first book as both author and illustrator. Since
then, he has written and illustrated numerous award-winning books that
combine his passion for nature, science and art. Jason now lives with
his family in Vermont. His website is https://jasonchin.net/
Activities & Links
- Learn more about watercress at https://kids.kiddle.co/Watercress
- A video from Dani Spies on buying and eating watercress: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TEUY3VSP_Ag
- An interview with Andrea Wang on growing up Chinese-American in the midwest: https://lesley.edu/article/author-andrea-wang-on-growing-up-chinese-american-in-the-midwest
- An educator's guide on this book from Holiday House: https://andreaywang.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/WATERCRESS-Ed-Guide-Website-DESIGN-2.pdf
- Activities based on this book for use with Common Core standards: https://wordtravelliteracy.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/FINAL-PDF-WATERCRESS-Guide-and-CCSS.pdf
- Learn more about China's great famine in a story from NPR: https://www.npr.org/2012/11/10/164732497/a-grim-chronicle-of-chinas-great-famine
- A read-aloud of this story from the Cincinnati Museum Center: https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=855579485039379
- Check out the other 2022 Ladybug Longlist titles about immigrant experiences at https://nhbookcenter.blogspot.com/2022/02/ladybug-longlist-immigrant-experiences.html
- If you want more books about food from Andrea Wang consider Luli and the Language of Tea or Magic Ramen
- For more books that reflect the Asian American experience check out this book list from Today: https://www.today.com/shop/asian-american-kids-books-aapi-month-t215525
- If you want to read a book written and illustrated by Jason Chin consider Island: A Story of the Galapogos or Grand Canyon.
%20Bryan%20Tarnowski.jpg)
No comments:
Post a Comment