A Garden Called Home
Written by Jessica J. Lee
Illustrated by Elaine Chen
Published by Tundra Books
What makes the place we live feel like home? This is a warm-hearted and lush picture book about family, the immigrant experience and how a simple garden can foster a connection to the larger natural world.
Mama was born in a country far away from here. I love her stories about warm rain in winter and green mountains. And now Mama’s taking me there!
When a young girl and her mother go to visit her family, the girl notices a change. At home, her mother mostly stays inside. Here, her mother likes to explore and go hiking. The girl has never seen her so happy! Her mother tells her about the trees, bushes, flowers and birds. Did you know that tree roots make mountains strong? And that ài hāo (mugwort) is used to make delicious, sweet dumplings?
But her mother’s smile goes away when they return home. It’s cold and she doesn’t want to go outside. She goes back to wearing her big quilted jackets and watering her houseplants.
How can the girl show her mother that nature here can be wondrous too?
Primary ISBN: 9781774880470
Publication Date: February 2024
Available As: Hardcover, eBook
Picture Book, Age 03 or older
Community Represented: Taiwanese/Taiwanese American
Themes: Accolades & Awards, Accolades & Awards: Starred Review, Cultural Empowerment, Cultural Empowerment & Joy: Family, Cultural Empowerment & Joy: Storytelling, Family Relationship: Extended, Family Relationship: Parents, Generation: 1st, Generational Differences, Mental Health, Multilingual: Mandarin Featured Words, Outdoor Exploration, Own Voices/Lived Experience, Setting: Home Country, Welcoming by Individual
Setting: Unspecified, Taiwan
Character's Place in the Immigration Journey: 1st Generation
Book Creator(s) Connection to the Community Represented: Own Voices/Lived Experience
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