by Andrea Wang; illustrated by Jason Chin
About the Book
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.
Type of text: Realistic fiction; semi-autobiographical narrative; picturebook
About the Creators
Andrea Wang is an award-winning Chinese heritage author who grew up in rural Ohio. She is a former environmental consultant turned creative writer of fiction and non-fiction for young people, and she loves to explore culture, creative thinking, and identity in her writing.
Jason Chin is an award-winning Chinese heritage illustrator (and author) of children’s books. He grew up in rural New Hampshire, loves making art, learning about science, and getting outside to hike, bike, ski and explore.
Note: These descriptions include self-identifiers provided directly by the author, illustrator, and/or publisher via email; they also contain information made publicly available (e.g., through professional websites, interviews, etc)
