Lotus Seed Book

A story of history, of war, of refugees and a lotus seed, a treasured memory from Vietnam. This is a simple, easy to follow story told in lyrical, unrhymed verse of a Vietnamese girl who is forced to flee her homeland due to civil war and takes with her a lotus seed from the emperor's garden. She and her family, through hard work and willingness, adapt to the totally new way of life in the USA, yet without losing their cultural roots. The little girl becomes an old lady and is devastated one day to discover her lotus seed has been stolen by her grandson, who has no recollection in which part of the muddy garden he buried the seed. But no circumstances, however horrendous, can prevent the family passing on its heritage to the next generation and the faithful lotus seed dutifully blossoms the next spring producing new seeds to be gathered and treasured and passed on. The Illustrations in oil are beautiful especially of the lotus flowers! I appreciated a brief historical overview of Vietnam, which the author adds at the end of the book. This is a charming story in itself, but also a great opportunity to discuss refugees etc with children.