"Wang's multilayered, poetic text allows anger, guilt and grief to coexist with love and hope. Chin's captivating watercolor art, executed with a mix of Chinese and Western techniques, combines meticulous, gut-wrenching realism with dreamlike panoramas."
—The New York Times"Children often don’t understand why their parents act as they do; parents often forget to explain.
Watercress reminds us of the importance of filling in those gaps."
—The Wall Street Journal"An understated, visually stunning exploration of memory and family history."
—The Boston Globe ★ "An adept gem of a picture book"
—Publishers Weekly, Starred Review
★ "Understated, deep, and heart-rending—bring tissues."
—Kirkus Reviews, Starred Review ★ "Simple text and beautiful illustrations pack a strong emotional punch . . . A powerful story sure to awaken empathy and curiosity"
—School Library Journal, Starred Review★ "this quietly affecting book encourages honesty, communication, and sharing of family history."—
The Horn Book, Starred Review ★ "
Watercress is a delicate and deeply felt exploration of memory, trauma and family."
—BookPage, Starred Review ★ "It’s a deft exploration of the information and emotion gap between parents, especially immigrant parents, and children, and it may give space for kids to learn more about their own family history and customs . . ."
—The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books, Starred Review ★ "Through powerful poetry and exquisite illustrations, the daughter of immigrants relates an emotional childhood memory that opened the door to her Chinese roots."—
Shelf Awareness, Starred Review "The story reveals the chasms that can separate first-generation immigrant parents from their Americanized children and how confronting past traumas from another country and time can bring a family closer together. Chin’s illustrations masterfully bring to life the vast cornfields and colors of rural America."
—Booklist
“As her family drives along a road in rural Ohio, a girl’s parents suddenly stop when they see watercress growing by the side of the road. She’s embarrassed when she has to help collect it and refuses to eat it when it’s prepared for dinner. This prompts a family discussion of her parents’ childhoods in China that helps the girl gain appreciation for her parents and for the watercress. A lovely story about family heritage.”
