Author: Sherry Garland
Illustrator: Tatsuro Kiuchi
Format: Paperback
Published: Voyager Books, 1993

In memory of the last emperor of Vietnam, a young girl takes a lotus seed from the Imperial garden. She keeps the memory-rich seed with her through her arranged marriage, her husband's departure for war, and her emigration to America. When her thoughtless grandson plants the seed, she is distraught, but the following spring yields a marvelous surprise. Sparse, poetic text and lovely paintings provide a thoughtful introduction to Vietnamese history, immigration, and the importance of story. An Author's Note provides additional historical information.