The Poppy Lady: Moina Belle Michael and Her Tribute to Veterans    by Barbara Elizabeth Walsh & Layne Johnson Order:  USA  Can Boyds Mills Press, 2012 (2012) Hardcover     Reviewed by Lyn Seippel How did poppies come to be associated with veterans? Barbara Elizabeth Walsh tells the story of Moina Belle Michael and her vow to do all she can for the soldiers of World War I. Unable to go overseas because of her age, Moina decides she must help the soldiers before they leave for Europe to fight. Moina set up a desk in the basement of Columbia's Hamilton Hall and soldiers are invited to spend their spare time there. When winter approaches she uses her own small salary to make the area brighter. She buys fresh flowers for decoration. Later after reading the poem We Shall Not Sleep by Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, she decides she will always wear one of the red poppies of Flanders Fields. Moina's hard work and her resolve to never forget the soldiers results in poppies becoming the memorial flower adopted by several national and international veterans' organizations. The story of Moina Belle Michael can serve as an introduction to World War I and the men who have served in that and other wars. Note: Opinions expressed in reviews and articles on this site are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of BookLoons. Find more Kids books on our Shelves or in our book Reviews