The Water Flower

Subtitled The Journey of a Lotus Seed this presents the development of a lotus from seed right through flowering to when a protective pod forms containing new seeds that are released and the cycle starts over again.

The author explains carefully each step of the lotus’s development through the seasons complemented by Huaqing’s beautiful delicate illustrations in subtle, muted hues, for each developmental stage. 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.

Plant life cycles is part of the KS2 science curriculum so this book with its fascinating tropical flowering plant that is most likely unfamiliar to the majority, offers an opportunity to broaden children’s horizons and their understanding. Moreover, the lotus flower is a powerful symbol in many cultures, so having used the book to explore the science, it might also open doors to other areas of the curriculum.