Watercress
Book description
Caldecott Medal Winner
Newbery Honor Book
APALA Award Winner
A story about the power of sharing memories—including the painful ones—and the way our heritage stays with and shapes us, even when we don’t see it.
New England Book Award Winner
A New York Times Best Children’s Book of the Year…
- Coming soon!
Why read it?
3 authors picked Watercress as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?
In Watercress, Andrea Wang tells a heartfelt story highlighting the importance of appreciating one’s heritage.
She takes what was initially an embarrassing moment from her childhood and gives it a new meaning. Reading this book reminded me of how many of my own childhood memories have inspired my writing career.
From Ying's list on Asian stories and voices.
This tender, touching autobiographical tale recently won the Caldecott medal for most distinguished picture book of the year and a Newbery honor for most outstanding contribution to children’s literature, but it was a favorite of mine many months before it acquired its much-deserved hardware. Realistic illustrations and poetic text tell the story of a Chinese American girl’s embarrassment, heartbreak, shame, and resilience, all in the space of a day in which she learns a great deal about herself, her family, and her heritage. Straddling cultures and expectations, she opens her heart and mind to the importance of perspective and the…
From April's list on picture books for ages 6 to 106.
Watercress is such a quietly beautiful book both in its words and its softly rendered illustrations. It deals with the oh-so-common feeling of being othered and the shame and embarrassment it can cause as an Asian American child who simply wants to fit in. Through the lens of food and its history, this is a story of a child of immigrants discovering and connecting with her heritage.
From Jess' list on I wish existed when I was a kid.
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