When his mother is sick in bed, a neighbor suggests that Raymond should stay inside after school, so his mother won't worry. As he sits inside the quiet apartment, Raymond watches the world going by outside his window. One day, he sees a woman happily receive a gift of flowers, and he remembers how his mother had once lived on a farm, and how their city life made her miss A living, growing things. Raymond resolves to get her flowers, but a trip to the florist reveals that he doesn't have enough money to buy a bouquet. The low-cost alternative of growing flowers from seeds seems to be the perfect solution, and indeed, his windowsill pots soon yield beautiful blossoms. But Raymond's mother's health declines and she is hospitalized. His flowers peak and wilt before his mother is discharged, and Raymond's disappointment adds to the worry and fear he already is feeling. When his mother finally returns home, Raymond dreads the sadness she is sure to feel when she sees the withered plants. To his amazement, the next morning he hears her laugh with delight, and together they watch birds gather on the windowsill to strip seeds from the drooping stems. This unexpected and happy conclusion provides satisfying closure to a quiet story about the love between a Chinese American child and his parent. (Ages 4‑8)

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

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."