The Lotus Seed

Author:  Sherry Garland

Illustrator:  Tatsuro Kiuchi

Discussion Guide by:   Pat Bowes

Topics:
Last Emperor -- Bao Dai
War
Loss
Refugees
Empathy
Love
Endurance
Irony
Paradox
Metaphor
 

The Lotus Seed is a sensitive story that is beautifully illustrated.  It can be used for any age to stir discussion and learn about the war, refugees, and much more.


Discussion Guide Questions

1) What is a refugee?
2) Why do people become refugees?
3) What message is the author sending by using a Lotus flower / seed as the focus?
4) What do you think happened to Ba’s husband?  What makes you think this?
5) Why didn’t Ba take her family back to Vietnam after the war?
6) Why did the boy steal the seed?  What did he do with it?  Should he be punished?
7) What can we do to help prevent there from being any more refugees?
8) What did you learn from reading this story?


Activity Ideas
: Grow a lotus flower.
: Draw a picture of a lotus flower.
: Draw a picture describing what this story meant to you.
: Create a diorama or triorama.
: Create a story board.
: Write a letter to Ba telling her how you feel about her.
: Teachers lead a visualization trip to visit to comfort Ba.
: Write a story about what you think is going to happen next.