Overview

For more than 200 years, the familiar blue-on-white Willow china pattern, an intricate British design based on Chinese motifs, has attracted and captivated countless admirers. In the nineteenth century, a folk tale emerged that wove the pattern's design elements into a love story that has lasted generations. No one knows the story's originator. But author-illustrator Drummond began with the version he was told as a child. It is about a Chinese mandarin's beautiful daughter, Koong Shee, and her beloved Chang; the mandarin's servant...the grand pagoda nestled among peonies and camellias...the zigzag fence...the paradise garden...the two doves in flight above the weeping willows. After reading this captivating tale, readers will never look at Willow pattern china in the same way again. AUTHOR: Allan Drummond was a journalist before studying graphic design at the London College of Printing, and illustration at the Royal College of Art. He has worked as an illustrator for Time Magazine, the Sunday Times of London, and the Design Museum. He has also designed murals and floor patterns for one of London's major underground stations. Colour illustrations

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9781558584136

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Reviews

Told with restraint and ease, this book is about a romantic legend that haunts the ubiquitous pottery design. It begins with an invitation: Fly with me, over China, and down into the landscape of the willow pattern. Readers are thrust into the blue-and-white realm of lovers Koong Shee and Chang, respectively, a wealthy mandarin's daughter and a poor servant. But Koong Shee, betrothed to an old merchant, is locked away by her father; Chang rescues her on her wedding clay and they embark on a happy life in hiding. Ultimately, the mandarin finds them and throws them into a maze beneath his Great Pagoda; when he and the lovers die, their world becomes aa eternal and changeless aa the now-familiar willow pattern. Any child who has ever imagined a journey into a two dimensional expanse will be carried away by the passion Drummond brings to his subject. His blending of still elements from the pottery with looser, livelier drawings of the story's pursuits have a lyrical grace, although the order of events in text and pictures sometimes disagrees (spot vignettes of later action in the tale occasionally precede larger visuals of earlier incidents). An author's note in the end warns readers of the truth about this pattern and legend, notably, their British origins. A charmed work, told with conviction and a sure hand. (Kirkus Reviews)

Author Information

Illustrator Allan Drummond received his degree in Graphic Design from London College of Printing and Illustration from the Royal College of Art. Allan lives with his wife and three sons in Savannah, Georgia. His web site is www.allandrummond.com. Allan Drummond was a journalist before studying graphic design at the London College of Printing and illustration at the Royal College of Art. He has worked as an illustrator for Time magazine, the Sunday Times of London, and the Design Museum. He has also designed murals and floor patterns for one of London's major Underground stations. The Willow Pattern Story is his first of many acclaimed books for children.

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