Watercress
What’s inside...
Gathering watercress by the side of the road brings a girl closer to her family's Chinese Heritage. 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. Andrea Wang tells a moving autobiographical story of a child of immigrants discovering and connecting with her heritage, illustrated by award winning author and artist Jason Chin, working in an entirely new style, inspired by Chinese painting techniques. An author's note in the back shares Andrea's childhood experience with her parents. Caldecott Medal Winner, Newbery Honor Book, APALA Award Winner, New England Book 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.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
6-9
Length
32 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
How do you think the girl felt when she saw her family picking watercress by the side of the road?
What similarities and differences can you see between your family traditions and the family in the book?
Why do you think it was important for the girl’s mother to share the story of her family in China?
How do the illustrations help you understand the family's emotions and experiences?
What did you learn about the value of family memories and traditions after reading this story?
Tip: Role play these questions
While discussing the book, relate it to your own family traditions and memories to make the conversation more personal and engaging.
Ask your child how they feel about the family activities depicted in the book and if there’s something similar they enjoy doing with the family.
Encourage your child to describe the emotions of the characters at different points in the book to enhance their empathy and understanding.
Highlight the cultural aspects presented in the story, explaining any concepts or traditions that might be new to your child.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Embracing Cultural Heritage
Explanation: In 'Watercress,' a young girl learns to appreciate her Chinese heritage through the simple act of gathering watercress by the roadside. This experience helps her recognize the value of her family's traditions and stories.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to take pride in and explore their own family backgrounds and traditions, fostering a sense of identity and belonging.
Example Lesson: Understanding and Empathy
Explanation: The story delicately touches on themes of poverty and immigration, as seen through the child's initial embarrassment and eventual understanding of her parents' past struggles. This helps children grasp the complexities of different life experiences.
Real-World Application: This lesson helps children develop empathy for others who may come from different backgrounds or have had different experiences, promoting inclusiveness and compassion.
Example Lesson: Value of Simplicity
Explanation: The protagonist's family finds joy and nourishment in the simple act of picking watercress, a lesson in finding beauty and value in simple, everyday activities.
Real-World Application: Children learn to appreciate the small, often overlooked aspects of life, cultivating gratitude and mindfulness.
Example Lesson: Connection to Nature
Explanation: The act of gathering watercress from a natural setting highlights the importance of connecting with nature and understanding where food comes from.
Real-World Application: Encourages children to engage with the environment around them, fostering a sense of responsibility towards nature and an interest in sustainable practices.
Example Lesson: Healing Power of Family Stories
Explanation: The mother shares a poignant family story related to hunger and survival during the process of picking watercress, illustrating how family stories can be powerful and healing.
Real-World Application: This lesson underscores the importance of communication and sharing within families, helping children understand and process their history and experiences.