watercress - by andrea wang

Driving through Ohio in an old Pontiac, a young girl’s parents stop suddenly when they spot something growing in a ditch by the side of the road…watercress! With an old paper bag and some rusty scissors, the whole family wades into the muck to collect as much of the muddy, snail-covered plant as they can. At first, it’s embarrassing. Why can’t her family get food at the grocery store? But when her mother shares the story of her family’s life in China, the girl learns to appreciate the fresh food they foraged. Together, they make a new memory of watercress in this tender story inspired by the author’s childhood memories and illustrated by Caldecott Honor artist Jason Chin.

 Andrea Wang is a Caldecott Medal winner, and has received recognition from an array of literary organization, including the Asian/Pacific American Award for Literature. She invites you to visit her at andreaywang.com 

author: Andrea Wang

illustrator: Jason Chin

language: English