Raymond’s Perfect Present

By Therese On Louie, Suling Wang
Paperback: $11.95

When he tries to surprise his sick mother with flowers that he grew, a Chinese American boy receives a nice surprise of his own.

Description

One day Raymond sees a young woman smile with pleasure when she is given a gift of flowers. Maybe I could buy Mom some flowers, Raymond thinks, to help her feel better now that she is home from the hospital.

When Raymond realizes he doesn’t have enough money to buy flowers, he decides to grow them from seeds, but his mother has to return to the hospital before the flowers bloom. As the flowers grow and then begin to wilt, Raymond fears his mother will never see his present after all. The gift she receives instead is a total surprise, and more perfect than anything Raymond has planned.

Winner of LEE & LOW’S New Voices Honor Award, Raymond’s Perfect Present captures the innocence of a child’s love for his mother as he struggles through a difficult time. This heart-warming story reaches out to all readers who have sought to give those they love the “perfect present.”

About the Creators

Therese On Louie

Therese On Louie makes her picture book debut with Raymond's Perfect Present. She currently teaches ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) in the Montgomery County Public Schools in Maryland. Louie lives in Bethesda, Maryland.

Suling Wang

Suling Wang has illustrated two books for older readers, The Magic Paintbrush and When the Circus Came to Town, both written by Laurence Yep. Wang lives in San Francisco. This is her first picture book. Visit her online at sulingwang.com.

Awards

  • New Voices Award Honor

    Lee & Low Books

  • CCBC Choices

    Cooperative Children's Book Center (CCBC)

Reviews

  • "This admirable first book is a lovely tale of triumph over the adversity of illness and limited resources."

    - School Library Journal
  • "An Honor book in the publisher's New Voice Award Competition, this is a sweet. . . sentimental look at a boy trying to cope with his mother's serious illness. . . A story with bibliotherapeutic possibilities."

    - Kirkus Reviews
  • "The brightly polished, straightforward pictures carry the story along to a conclusion celebrating love, creativity, and the benefits — at any age — of leaving your expectations open."

    - Washingtonian Magazine

Paperback

  • ISBN 9781620142295
  • Publication Date Sep 01, 2002
  • Trim Size 10.875 × 8.75 in
  • Weight 0.375 lbs
  • Page Count 32
  • Hardcover

  • ISBN 9781584300557
  • Publication Date Sep 01, 2002
  • Trim Size 10.75 × 8.75 in
  • Weight 0.4375 lbs
  • Page Count 32
  • Interests

  • Audience Children
  • BISAC Category 1 JUV / Family / Parents
  • BISAC Category 2 JUV / Social Themes / Emotions & Feelings
  • BISAC Category 3 JUV / Science & Nature / General
  • Themes Asian / Asian American / AAPI, Childhood Experiences and Memories, Conflict resolution, Disabilities, Dreams & Aspirations, Empathy / Compassion, Environment / Nature, Families, Fiction, Friendship, Home, Mothers, Multiple Ethnicities Represented, Nature / Science, Optimism / Enthusiasm, Overcoming Obstacles, Persistence / Grit, Pride, Realistic Fiction, Responsibility, Sharing & Giving
  • Reading Levels

  • Age Range Ages 6 - 8
  • Grade Range Grades 1 - 3
  • Guided Reading O
  • ATOS Book Level 3.1
  • DRA 34
  • Interest Level Grades 1 - 3
  • Reading Level 2
  • Bebop Reading Fluent
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