Poppy Lady, The

MWSA Review

Barbara Elizabeth Walsh's wonderfully illustrated book, The Poppy Lady: Moina Belle Michael and Her Tribute to Veterans brings the origin of red poppies used to commemorate fallen soldiers to today's children.

Layne Johnson's beautifully painted illustrations add detail, color, and definition to Barbara Elizabeth Walsh's narrative around a compassionate woman who felt she couldn't do enough to honor veterans. She lived her life always wanting 'to do more" for the men and women who gave so much. 

The Poppy Lady is an informative read.  Johnson's frame-worthy illustrations bring to life a determined woman whose life-goal created a symbol in the red poppy still acknowledged and revered. 

Reviewed by: Sandra Miller Linhart (Oct 2015)

Author's Summary

When American soldiers entered World War I, Moina Belle Michael, a schoolteacher from Georgia, knew she had to act. Some of the soldiers were her students and friends. Almost single-handedly, Moina worked to establish the red poppy as the symbol to honor and remember soldiers. And she devoted the rest of her life to making sure the symbol would last forever. Thanks to her hard work, that symbol remains strong today. Author Barbara Elizabeth Walsh and artist Layne Johnson worked with experts, primary documents, and Moina's great-nieces to better understand Moina's determination to honor the war veterans.