Author: Aletha Cress Oglesby, M.D.

As a family physician, I explore the HEART of HEALTH in my work, recreation, community, and through writing. My blog, Watercress Words, informs and inspires us to live in health. I believe we can turn our health challenges into healthy opportunities. When we do, we can share the HEART of health with our families, communities, and the world. Come explore and share with me.

Watercress by Andrea Wang- a book review

In this post I review “Watercress,” a children’s book by Andrea Wang. It tells the story of a girl who feels embarrassed when her family stops to pick watercress during a drive. Through a meal and her parents’ memories, she gains appreciation for her heritage and family. Illustrated by Jason Chin, it explores cultural identity and belonging. This is a book children and their parents will equally appreciate.

Watercress

(Spanish) Berros

By Andrea Wang

Illustrated by Jason Chin
  • Caldecott Medal Winner, 2022
  • Newbery Honor Book
  • APALA Award Winner

The story

Out for a drive with her parents and brother, a young girl gets irritated when they suddenly stop, pull over, and pile out of the car to pick wild watercress growing in a stream beside the highway.

“Watercress” they (her parents) exclaim, two voices heavy with emotion. 

As they wade in cold, muddy water to pick “weeds”, she hopes no one she knows drives by and sees her. They head home and she grows more resentful after her mother cooks the watercress for them to eat. She doesn’t want to eat “dinner from a ditch.”

But with dinner, comes a photo and a story about her parents’ life in China, before they emigrated to the United States. From the story, the girl finds a new appreciation for her family, and for watercress.

“I take a bite of watercress and it bites back with its spicey peppery taste. It is delicate and slightly bitter, like mom’s memories.”

Watercress

Click here to take a look at Watercress

Andrea Wang -Author

As you may have guessed from her name, Ms. Wang’s family is from China, and this story is autobiographical, as she explains in her author’s note.

“This story is both an apology and a love letter to my parents.”

Andrea Yang

Her work explores culture, creative thinking, and identity. Her debut middle-grade novel, The Many Meanings of Meilan, is also a JLG Gold Standard Selection. 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 the Denver area with her family. 

other books by Andrea Wang

What’s Great about Georgia?
Learning about Asia (Searchlight Books ™ ― Do You Know the Continents?

Jason Chin-Illustrator

The artist, also the child of Chinese immigrants, wrote in his note

“When I was painting, I drew on my own memories of exclusion, loss, and guilt with the hope that they might seep into the art and add another layer to Andrea’s remarkable story.”

Jason Chin

Caldecott Medalist Jason Chin is the author and illustrator of numerous award-winning picture books. Jason lives in Vermont with his wife, Deirdre Gill, and their two children.

books authored and illustrated by Jason

Gravity
Your Place in the Universe

Why I recommend Watercress

I had never heard of this book when I stumbled upon it in a bookstore. I’m always interested in anything written about watercress, even though despite the title it’s not the topic of this blog. As I perused the pictures and read the story, I was captivated by both the story and the illustrations.

If you come from a family that makes you “different” than the people you live around, you will understand why the young girl in this story dislikes watercress so much. But by learning the reason for her parents’ “voices heavy with emotion” she came to understand that differences are what make us who we are and sharing difficult and painful histories make families who they are and bring us closer together.

The storyline is simple, straightforward, and easy to understand. This is a children’s book recommended for ages 6-9 years, but older children, teens, and adults can enjoy and learn from it.

Mr. Chin explains he used watercolor in both Chinese and Western techniques creating illustrations with soft muted colors and detailed facial expressions that almost appear to be photos. Some details tell a story in themselves- an American flag on a barn on the highway, a framed picture of the parents in China, and the girl’s tee shirt with the word PLAY across the front.

This book touches your mind and heart with a timeless lesson we all need to learn and be reminded of. Like the watercress plant, it is short but nurturing and powerful. Introduce this book to your children and yourself.

Exploring the HEART of Health

I’d love for you to follow this blog. I share information and inspiration to help you transform challenges into opportunities for learning and growth.

Add your name to the subscribe box to be notified of new posts by email. Click the link to read the post and browse other content. It’s that simple. No spam.

I enjoy seeing who is new to Watercress Words. When you subscribe, I will visit your blog or website. Thanks and see you next time.

Dr. Aletha

Before you leave, check out my post about watercress at this link

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Bookshop.org is an online bookstore that financially supports local, independent bookstores.

We believe bookstores are essential to a healthy culture and they are dedicated to the common good.

Bookshop.org donates a portion of every sale to independent bookstores.

February -fun, feelings, fasting, and freedom

February features unique events like Groundhog Day, which began in 1887, and Valentine’s Day, associated with love and the patron saint of epilepsy. The month also includes Ash Wednesday marking the Lenten season and President’s Day honoring George Washington and Abraham Lincoln. February, though brief, is rich in history and celebration.

updated February 17, 2025

February is an interesting month. It’s the shortest month of the year, although every 4 years is a day longer, due to leap year, creating February 29.

A leap year is a calendar year that contains an additional day compared to a common year. The 366th day is added to keep the calendar year synchronized with the astronomical year or seasonal year. 

Wikipedia

Fun-Groundhog Day

The month starts with a FUN holiday known as Groundhog Day. You may be more familiar with the movie of the same name, which was also funny with a reflective message.

“Groundhog Day is a 1993 American fantasy comedy film directed by Harold Ramis and written by Ramis and Danny Rubin. Teamed with a relentlessly cheerful producer (Andie MacDowell) and a smart-aleck cameraman (Chris Elliott), TV weatherman Phil Connors (Bill Murray) is sent to Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, to cover the annual Groundhog Day festivities.

It stars Bill Murray as Phil Connors, a TV weatherman who, during an assignment covering the annual Groundhog Day event, is caught in a time loop, repeatedly reliving the same day.” (Amazon affiliate link and quote)

I can understand how that feels after my husband was in a hospital for 10 days earlier this year. I felt like I was living the same day over and over. Even after he came home, during his continued convalescence, our days tended to feel the same until he regained his strength and stamina.

Anyway, if you’ve never seen the movie I recommend it for a good laugh as well as for the message. Andie MacDowell and Bill Murray are at their finest in these roles.

The first official Groundhog Day celebration took place on February 2, 1887, in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. The annual ritual has roots in pre-Christian traditions and was brought to the U.S. by German immigrants.

History.com

The real Groundhog Day is supposed to predict whether or not we will have an early spring. You can learn about it at this link.

tree with red leaves shaped like a heart
William Shakespeare, English playwright,, poet, and actor

graphic from Lightstock.com, stock photo site, affiliate link

Feelings-Valentine’s Day, February 14

When I say Valentine’s Day what comes to your mind? Love, hearts, cards, candy, jewelry, and romantic dinners? But probably not seizures.

Saint Valentine-patron of lovers and epilepsy.

St. Valentine of Terni, a third-century Roman saint, was known for healing the sick. Valentine had been imprisoned for secretly marrying couples despite the edict of Roman Emperor Claudius II which forbade Roman soldiers to marry, for possibly diminishing their efficiency on the battlefield. As the legend goes, he restored the sight of Julia the daughter of Asterius his jailer.

People believed epilepsy (a brain disorder causing seizures) was caused by a supernatural event such as a curse or possession by an evil spirit. Since there was no cure for epilepsy healing was only possible by divine intervention and saints were called upon to intercede for these patients. 

very few people know he , Saint Valentine, also was helpful and beneficent to people with epilepsy in ancient times.

Saint Valentine: Patron of lovers and epilepsy

February 14 is also National Donor Day. Registering as an organ donor means you may save someone’s life-or someone may save your life.

February 14 is National Donor Day. Registering as an organ donor means you may save someone’s life-or someone may save your life.

Fasting-Ash Wednesday

In 2024, Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent, is also on February 14.

In 2025, Ash Wednesday returns to March, on the 5th.

Lent, in the Christian church, is a period of preparation for Easter, which will be on March 31, 2024.

During Ash Wednesday mass or services, a minister distributes ashes by lightly rubbing the shape of a cross with ashes onto the foreheads of worshipers. The tradition of tracing a cross on the forehead is meant to identify the faithful with Jesus Christ.

Follow this blog for posts about fasting for Lent.

George Washington, New York City
Abraham Lincoln, Washington, DC
photos by Dr. Aletha and Raymond Oglesby

Freedom-President’s Day, third Monday

On the third Monday in February, we honor our first President, George Washington, whose birthday is February 22. We also traditionally honor President Abraham Lincoln, whose birthday is February 12.

archives.gov

“Contrary to popular belief, neither Congress nor the President has ever stipulated that the name of the holiday observed as Washington’s Birthday be changed to ‘President’s Day.’”

census.gov
Two United States presidents are honored in February, their birth month.

With the signing of the Declaration of Independence by the Continental Congress, George Washington helped the American colonies gain FREEDOM from rule by an English king in 1776 as General of the Continental Army during the American War of Independence, and then as the republic’s first President.

As President, Abraham Lincoln extended FREEDOM to enslaved persons in the Confederate states when he issued the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863, and led the fight to “preserve the Union” as commander-in-chief of the Union military during the Civil War.

Exploring the HEART of Health

I’d love for you to follow this blog. I share information and inspiration to help you transform challenges into opportunities for learning and growth.

Add your name to the subscribe box to be notified of new posts by email. Click the link to read the post and browse other content. It’s that simple. No spam.

I enjoy seeing who is new to Watercress Words. When you subscribe, I will visit your blog or website. Thanks and see you next time.

Dr. Aletha

If you’d like to support Watercress Words, you can do it here, with my thanks.

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