The Poppy Lady: Moina Belle Michael and Her Tribute to Veterans - Hardcover

Walsh, Barbara

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1590787544 ISBN 13: 9781590787540

Publisher: Calkins Creek, 2012

Synopsis

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.

A portion of the book’s proceeds will support the National Military Family Association’s Operation Purple®, which benefi ts children of the U.S. military.

About this title

Review:

Publishers Weekly

Since WWI, red poppies have been used to commemorate fallen soldiers; Walsh explains why in a glowing tribute to the woman behind the symbol, Moina Belle Michael, a professor at the University of Georgia who "wanted to do more" for the men in uniform, and who went on to contribute to the war effort in several ways. Johnson's oil paintings offer several dramatically lit, almost beatific portraits of Michael as well as one scene of a somber WWI battlefield, covered with red poppies and white crosses. . .
Booklist

Inspired by Walsh's father's contact with Michael when he was a soldier in World War II, this informative picture book is based on original interviews as well as Michael's book The Miracle Flower (1941), articles, and websites. Rich with color, Johnson's narrative paintings portray Michael's life and times with warmth, drama, and attention to detail. Teachers looking for a heartfelt alternative to the familiar, too-often-pedestrian children's books on Veterans Day and Memorial Day may want to introduce their students to the compassionate, determined 'Poppy Lady.'  - Carolyn Phelan
School Library Journal

Most children have seen red poppies for sale around Veterans Day, but how many of them know how they came to be associated with veterans? Johnson's lush and vivid illustrations on oversize spreads depict the world at that time-the soldiers going off to war, the women working on the home front, and period dress. . . . can be used to talk about Veterans Day, included in a study of World War I, and to foster talk about what it means to serve your country. The copious back matter allows students to read further.  - Joan Kindig

About the Author:

Barbara Elizabeth Walsh has fond memories of poppies and parades honoring her father and other veterans. During World War II her father knew Moina Michael, the Poppy Lady. A former elementary-school teacher, Barbara has written articles for Highlights for Children and Cricket. The Poppy Lady is her first children's book. She and her husband live in Mantoloking, New Jersey, and Key Largo, Florida. Layne Johnson has created art for more than twenty books for children, including the Western Heritage Award-winning Off Like the Wind!: The First Ride of the Pony Express (by Michael P. Spradlin) and the acclaimed Farmer George Plants a Nation (by Peggy Thomas), a picture book biography of George Washington's life as a farmer, inventor, and scientist. Mr. Johnson speaks frequently in schools and libraries and enjoys traveling to historic sites. He lives in Texas with his wife. You can visit him on the web at www.laynejohnson.com.

About this edition

• Publisher: Calkins Creek
• Publication date: 2012
• ISBN 10: 1590787544
• ISBN 13: 9781590787540
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 40
• Illustrator: Johnson Layne