What a GORGEOUS picture book this is! While driving along some fields, a Chinese-American couple stop and tell their kids to get out and help them harvest some watercress by the side of the road. The daughter is mortified. What if someone sees? They get home and the parents cook it for dinner. She won't eat it. Her pouting encourages the mother to get up and show her a photo of her family, back in China, during a difficult time. The frail boy, obviously starving in the photo, died. It puts into perspective the parents' histories and struggles with poverty. The girl realizes they may struggle, too, but she has all she needs. The illustrations were breathtaking. I would love to see this win the Caldecott. (PIC WAN)
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