A few days ago, Janet mentioned The Lotus Seed in her comments about my post on the lotus plants we saw. I finally had the opportunity to check this lovely children’s book out of the library. Janet, you never steer my wrong with recommendations of children’s books. You know me well.
A young Vietnamese girl takes a lotus seed from the Emperor’s garden to always remember him as he leaves his throne. Vietnam changes and wars come. She keeps the seed hidden. As an adult, she and her family must flee their country in a boat at the end of the Vietnam War. She takes the lotus seed with her to their new home in the United States. Her children grow, they struggle as immigrants in a strange land. One day, years later, she shows the seed to her grandchildren.
A grandson, the brother of the story’s narrator, takes the seed and plants it in mud. His grandmother, Ba, is devastated by her grandson’s deed. One day, she discovers a lotus flower blooming, the flower from that long saved seed. She harvests the seeds, giving one to each grandchild to remember their heritage and keeps one for herself to remember.
This a such a simple book with such beautiful illustrations. It is the story of change and family, of immigration and heritage and how life goes on after hardship. It is, as I’ve said, a children’s book and I’ve already written more than the words in Sherry Garland’s book. I hope you will read it sometime and that you will come to appreciate the exquisite illustrations of Tatsuro Kiuchi.
Thank you, Janet, for such a wonderful recommendation.
This really sounds like a wonderful book, thank you for the great review and recommendation!
It is, Janet. I was actually looking for it in the young adult section and had to be steered to the picture books. It is simple in its structure and powerful in the beauty and story it tells.
What a beautiful story. Thank you for passing it on.
It is, Juliet, and you are quite welcome.
Ah – this is definitely one for Maddie – or even to read together. Thanks, Penny!
It is a good one to read together, Kate. It is a short book that should open up a discussion on many a topic.
I love that you read children’s books and love them. Me too! (As a fairly new reader of your blog, I hadn’t realized that before). Thank you. I’m tempted to order this one, pre-read it and send it on to the great grandsons.
I love children’s books, Sallie. You’ve discovered my secret. Your great grandsons might like Mailing May by Michael Tunnell. It is about a little girl who wants to visit her grandparents. Her parents can’t afford a train ticket and end up mailing her. It is based on a true story. I sent it two my two grand nephews last year when they were seven (different families) and they loved it. I included a postage page envelope for them to mail a letter of their own.
I wrote about it in this post if you are interested.
lifeonthecutoff.wordpress.com/2010/01/28/mailing-may-2/
Penny
What a beautiful story; I have just checked my library catalogue and neither The Lotus Seed nor Mailing May are listed. I am another who loves children’s stories.
Both may be hard to find there, Marilyn. I thought of you when I saw the illustrations in The Lotus Seed. I am always drawn to children’s stories – I guess I’ll never outgrow them.
I’m so glad that you enjoyed this book. It always sparked a discussion in class about what the children would chose if they wanted to remember their life if they had to leave almost everything behind. Of course, they all would say photos, but once we got past that, the answers were interesting. One of my favorites was “grandpa’s bronzed baby shoes”. Another was “my Mom’s ring that used to be my grandmother’s and her mother’s”.
I did. The illustrations are beautiful. I can see how this would spark discussion, Janet. The idea of leaving everything behind is hard to convey to children and this would be a good vehicle for it. Thank you for recommending it.
HELLO SPECIAL LADY! FOR SOME REASON I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLT TO COMMENT OR EVEN LOG ONTO YOUR POSTS. DON’T KNOW WHAT IS WRONG……………..SO I HAVE JUST READ THE LAST FOUR HERE.
AS ALWAYS, YOUR STORY TELLING ABILITY IS FILLED WITH SO MUCH INTEREST AND LOVE OF YOUR STORIES. LOVE THEM!
M.A.
Hi, Mary Anne. Sorry to hear you were having problems and glad you finally made it in. Thank you so much, Mary. That is such a very nice thing to say.
I’m loving reading about your trip – those gardens are spectacular.
Hold onto your hat. 60 mph winds and I can hear them kicking up right now.