Tag: reading

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

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

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August Timely Topics-school, sports, and sickness

In August we don’t have holidays to be busy with, but the start of the school year keeps families busy. Besides school, sports bring us together, which also brings illness together. I review these in this post.

updated August 1, 2025

August is a strange month. It’s the only month without a major holiday in the United States. Although the temperatures still feel hot and muggy, by the end of the month, students and teachers are back in school and college for the “fall” semester. (Of course, if you are south of the equator, your experience may look quite different.)

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

Back to school, back to books

The main goal of school is education and reading is vital; books are the basic building blocks. That’s why Dolly Parton gives books away- read why here.

Inspiring Dreams: Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library

Dolly Parton, inspired by a childhood story and personal struggles, established Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, providing free books to children. Her own experience led to the song “Coat of Many Colors,” conveying the value of love over material possessions. Through this initiative, she aims to nurture children’s dreams through the joy of reading.

Keep reading

How much do you know about medicine?

Speaking of school, there are always tests. Here’s one for you. Find out how much you know about medicine by taking this quiz that I wrote especially for blog readers.

Friday Night Lights

Along with school comes sports. Although some go on year-round, many are tied to the school year, and football starts first in most places.

Even folks who don’t have a tie to a particular school adopt their local school’s team and follow faithfully. Fifty-plus years after my first football game as a college freshman, I still follow my team, the University of Oklahoma Sooners.

“Play like a champion today”

The OU Sooners football program has won 7 national championships and 7 players have received Heisman trophies. More importantly, the team never fails to show their fans exciting, hard-fought games. Even when they lose, they do so with plays that keep us guessing what’s going to happen next and wondering how such talented athletes can end up with the losing…

Keep reading

Sore Throats and Sneezing

Although we think of colds and flu as winter illnesses, doctors start seeing patients with respiratory symptoms soon after school starts.

Places where people spend time together, like classrooms and dormitories, are prime places for people to share the viruses and bacteria that cause strep throat, colds, influenza, and COVID-19.

But there are steps we can take to lower the risk of exposure and illness. Check out the info in this post.

Head into the flu season with these 6 tips

We should all take influenza and COVID-19 seriously; consider my suggestions, talk to your personal doctor, keep up with recommendations from your local public health professionals, and do your part to keep your family and community well.

Keep reading

Exploring the HEART of health

As the season changes, ask yourself these questions about changes you might want or need to make in your life.

  1. What one activity can I start or improve to nurture my wellbeing?
  2. How is social media helping or hindering my growth as a person?
  3. What new or improved skill will make my life easier or more productive?

I’d love for you to follow this blog. I share information and inspiration to help you turn health challenges into health opportunities.

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

Help Watercress Words share the HEART of health

myReader Rewards club- photo of woman on a bench reading a book

My Reader Rewards Club is a great way to earn free books and Bibles for yourself, friends, and family! Your journey to earning free faith-based products starts HERE.
(When you sign up through these links, I can earn free books too.)

As a member, you’ll have access to inspiring literature, Bibles, special promotional offers, and much more. Earning points is easy—you’ll receive 25 points just for signing up!

Watercress Words Bookstore

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.