Author Barbara Elizabeth Walsh and prolific children's book illustrator, Layne Johnson have released a beautiful tribute to America's historic Poppy Lady, a humanitarian and school teacher from Georgia, Moina Belle Michael who singlehandedly launched a campaign to establish as a symbol the red poppy from the First World War torn Fields of Flanders.
Inspired by finding a box in the attic as a child, containing a postcard signed Pat's Poppy Lady, with a red, crepe -paper poppy pinned to the card, the author learned that her father had met Moina Belle Michael while he was a private first class studying communication at the University of Georgia during World War II. He was living at the Georgian Hotel, along with some 300 additional soldiers in training when he heard that his two brothers, serving in the Italian army, had been taken as prisoners of war. The school teacher/humanitarian lived on the fifth floor of this same hotel at the time and, after having established herself as the Poppy Lady, made it a personal mission to talk to troubled young soldiers whenever she had a chance.
Moina Belle Michael had written to the young soldier's fiancee, the author's mother, on his behalf. Half a century later, the author traveled to the Georgian Hotel after deciding it was time to write the story of Moina Belle Michael's poppy legacy.
Published by Calkins Creek Books/Boyds Mills, a portion of proceeds of The Poppy Lady book sales will go to support the National Military Family Association's Operation Purple(R), which benefits children of the U.S. military.
This gloriously illustrated tribute to veterans marks almost a century since the Poppy Lady handed our her first 23 red silk poppies in New York before pursuading several national and international organizations adopted the poppy as their memorial flower. Millions of disabled service people have been employed in producing these memorial poppies around the world, over the years, raising millions of dollars for veterans.
What a great way to teach young children about the sacrificies made by allied veterans in World War I and II and also to share the simple, powerful story of a school teacher who made such a marvelous and lasting huminatarian contribution.
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