With fall upon us, it’s time to hit the books again — the Perfect Picture Books, that is.
TITLE: THE POPPY LADY: MOINA BELLE MICHAEL AND HER TRIBUTE TO VETERANS
AUTHOR: Barbara Walsh
ILLUSTRATOR: Layne Johnson
PUBLICATION INFO: Calkins Creek, 2012
ISBN: 978-1-59078-754-0
SOURCE: library
INTENDED AUDIENCE: ages 7 to 11
GENRE: nonfiction picture book biography
OPENING and SYNOPSIS:
“Moina Belle Michael looked forward to summer vacation when she returned home from her third year of boarding school in 1885.”
From the publisher:
“When American soldiers entered World War I, Moina Belle Michael, a schoolteacher from Georgia, knew she had to act. Some of the soldiers were her students and friends. Almost single-handedly, Moina worked to establish the red poppy as the symbol to honor and remember soldiers. And she devoted the rest of her life to making sure the symbol would last forever. Thanks to her hard work, that symbol remains strong today. Author Barbara Elizabeth Walsh and artist Layne Johnson worked with experts, primary documents, and Moina’s great-nieces to better understand Moina’s determination to honor the war veterans.”
THEMES/TOPICS: history, biography
WHY I LIKE THIS BOOK: I’ve used this book as a mentor text to help me shape a “slice of life” picture book biography I’m writing. Walsh’s use of a prologue to give readers a glimpse into Moina Belle’s girlhood is an effective technique for this type of biography. Walsh uses rhetorical questions and a repetitive phrase drives the pacing and page turns. Finally, Walsh has let Moina Belle’s voice shine through by incorporating her quotes throughout the main text. But this book isn’t just a must-read for writers. My seven-year-old snatched it out of the book return pile. He gives it two thumbs up too!
As a bonus part of the book’s proceeds go to the National Military Family Association’s Operation Purple®, to help children of the U.S. military.
RESOURCES/ACTIVITIES:
- A teacher’s guide is available through Walsh’s Web site.
- BBC One has a children’s World War I Web site with age-appropriate materials.
- Veterans’ Day is Nov. 11th. Why not find a way to honor a veteran or active service member. Children can write letters to soldiers and send them through A Million Thanks or send packages through Any Soldier.
You’ll find way more cool books at Susanna Leonard Hill’s “Perfect Picture Books.” Every Friday folks review a host of new books. Join us!
Kirsten W. Larson 
How interesting to learn where the poppy emblem came from. So was that before the symbolism of graveyard poppy fields in Belgium?
She was inspired by a magazine picture of the poppies in Flanders Field, along with McCrae’s poem. She used them to create an ongoing reminder.
Wonderful!
I thought the tradition came from Europe! They celebrate and sell the poppies (usually made of paper) in the town squares. I will have to check this book out. 🙂
Well, there you go. It was Moina Belle.
I saw this story reviewed recently and I even believe I saw something about the Poppy Lady on television. This is a captivating story about how one person has made a difference. The illustrations are beautiful!
That’s really the crux of the story. Moina Belle wanted to do something for the veterans … and she did with passion and determination.
I’ve heard of this book and would like to read it. Thanks for sharing!
Enjoy!
So glad you share the love for this book Kirsten. I reviewed it as a PPBF around Memorial Day as well. Barbara’s done a wonderful job telling the story.
Oh, shoot. I had done a quick search to see if it was on the list, but I must have overlooked yours.
I don’t see it either Kirsten – no worries! It must be a task and a half for Susanna to keep all the PPBF recommendations updated. 🙂
I need to read this. I really love the “slice of life” biographies and this one sounds wonderful. Great review.
Walsh’s story behind the story is pretty amazing too. Don’t skip the author’s note. 🙂
Two-thumbs IS good, but all your choices are remarkable! And the cover looks beautiful.
Cooper also gave two thumbs up to my selection for next week. He’s a good gauge of what’s good. 🙂
You’re lucky to have a tester! Mine are still willing, believe it or not, but the openness for the preposterous is waning.
You’re pretty lucky you got this far, Julie. 🙂
That’s because I stopped begging them to read my own!
Gorgeous cover on this one, Kirsten. Loved the review. I love reading how some of traditions have stood the test of time, and how they came about. Thanks for sharing.
Moina Belle’s story is very inspiring. She knew she had to do something to help the soldiers … and she did.
This looks and sounds like a wonderful memorial! 🙂 I’ll check it out! 🙂
Enjoy it, Erik.
This book sounds very interesting, Kirsten, and I like that it impressed you so much as a mentor text – I will definitely have to read it. Thanks for adding it to our list!
As always, you are very welcome, Susanna! I am so happy to be back in the groove. 🙂
I’m searching at this very minute to find a copy of this heartwarming true story. Thanks for featuring it, Kirsten…it will help me as I study non fiction picture books in hopes that one day, I’ll have one of my own out there. 😉
I’m right there with you, Vivian! 🙂
I’m pinning this so I can remember to read it to my kids in November. Thanks for sharing a great find!
Oh, yes, this would be a wonderful one for Veterans Day!
I love this one. Thanks for sharing it on the list.