Nourishing Conversations and Play

A critical analysis of Watercress (2021)

Cover Art of Watercress. Illustrations by Jason Chin.

Innate Justice Reflection Tool

In this critical analysis, I utilize the structure laid out in my September 2023 article “Innate Justice in Children’s Books.” I encourage folx who are interested in learning how to engage meaningfully in picture books to give that article a read, or if you’d like more context for the innate justice reflection tool pictured below.

Watercress (2021)

Andrea Wang and Jason Chin’s Watercress (2021) has rocketed its way to the top of myriad booklists over the past year. It is a Caldecott Medal Winner, a Newbery Honor Book, and has been awarded the APALA Award, Cybils Award. It’s been named an ALSC (Association for Library Service to Children) Notable Children’s Book, an NPR Book We Love!, a Horn Book Fanfare Title, a Floyd’s Pick Honor Book, and a Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection. And that’s just to name a few.

Needless to say, I was skeptical automatically.

Too often we see pop culture reinforcing harmful social norms and with the widespread praise, I figured I was in for…