The Water Lotus: The journey of a lotus seed by Yingting Chen illustrated by Huaqing translated by Adam Casciaro and Liu Yinan

Last week it was International Flower Day - who knew? I saw this post from my friend at Kinderbookswitheverything. She shared some terrific picture books and last week we set up a display of her books which feature flowers. This one about the lotus flower caught my eye.

The cover of The Water Flower is so appealing with pastel tones of pink and pale green and gold lettering. This is one of those 'newish' style nonfiction books that combines a simple narrative and small text which goes into more scientific details so this is a book you could share with a young child aged 5+ or with a high school botany or biology student. There are also two double spreads in this book with no words - just glorious art. My only comment would be that I would have loved a glossary - but along the way I discovered words like corolla, pistil, stamen, node, and I now know a little about how lotus plants get oxygen even though they are growing under water. Teacher-Librarians might take a closer look at the books in their library collection to see just how many are about flowers and their life cycles - examples perhaps beyond the usual one of the sunflower. 

Publisher blurb: From its beginnings in a peaceful pond, The Water Flower chronicles the journey of a sleepy seed that awakens in spring, pushing through its shell to grow leaves reaching for the sunlight. As summer arrives, it blooms into a stunning flower, opening and closing its petals each day, attracting passing insects. After completing its beautiful display, the flower fades, revealing new seeds inside a pod, ready to begin the cycle again. This story offers a glimpse into the lotus seed's remarkable transformation across seasons.

See inside this book here

Lyrical language and artful illustrations present the life of a lotus and the resilience it represents. A lotus seed falls into the soil and drifts into a deep sleep. It awakens, unfurling tender buds and wide green leaves. Then, the flower blooms, its brilliant petals opening to the sun. And soon enough, another lotus seed falls, starting the cycle all over again… This is a book to share with children of different ages. Reading Rockets

Follow the lotus through the seasons, see each step of its journey, and discover the endless life cycle of this beautiful flower. Beautiful artwork highlighted with foil on the jacket brings the science of a lotus flower’s life cycle to vivid life. The fascinating facts about the beauty and resilience of a lotus seed’s transformation will help inspire a lifelong love of the natural world. YA Books Central

The main narrative in larger print tells the story of the flower, with botanical terms relating to the functions and anatomy of the plant being in a smaller print. Particularly lovely are the wordless double spreads, one showing leaves soaking up the sunlight with a bird sheltering beneath, the second shows several stages in the cycle- bud, flowers and seed head – in one scene. Books for Keeps

The life cycle of the lotus begins with its seeds. Lotus seeds are small and black and come from the lotus plant’s flower. The lotus plant is adapted to grow in many different types of habitats, from murky ponds to sunny riverbanks. As a result, it has developed a method for ensuring that its seeds have the best chance of germination. The method used by the lotus is to produce many seeds. By releasing large quantities of seeds into the environment, the plant increases its chances that at least a few of them will find the ideal conditions for growth and avoid consumption by aquatic life. In addition, lotus seeds are very durable and can remain viable for many years. This allows the plant to survive even harsh conditions that would kill most other plants. 

As a result of these adaptations, the lotus is one of the most successful plants in the world. Lotus seeds germinate in the mud usually at the bottom of bodies of water. Once the seeds are released, some will begin to germinate in wet soil or water beds. It can take anywhere from two weeks to two months for the seeds to germinate. After germination, they begin to sprout. A tiny seedling will emerge from the seed coat, and roots will start to grow down into the mud. The seedlings will then start producing leaves, which will rise to the water’s surface. The lotus plant will continue to grow, growing more leaves and flowers, until it eventually reaches the surface of the water. The lotus flower typically blooms for only a few days for pollination to occur. Each day the flowers bloom, at nightfall they will close up and sink back into the water or mud only to re-emerge beautifully intact the following day. Source Earth.com