Thursday, January 5, 2023

Willow Pattern Story by Allan Drummond - OPTIONAL

Willow Pattern Story by Allan Drummond, PICTURE BOOK. NorthSouth Books Inc., 2022. $19. 9780735845121

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3), EL, MS - OPTIONAL


AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE


Koong Shee lived in a pagoda garden that she felt was a prison because her father would not let her leave until she married the man of his choosing. The only friends she had were the birds.  Eventually, she fell in love with a gardener, named Chang. When her father found out, he sent Chang away and locked Koong Shee in a house near the pagoda. Eventually, the couple ran away together to live as poor, happy farmers. Will their end be joyful or sad?


While this story was written for children, I feel that it would appeal more to an adult. The book tells one version of the many stories created about the China pattern called “Willow.” I thoroughly enjoyed the blue illustrations and reading the history of the Willow Pattern, but I’m not sure this would hold interest from most young readers.


MOMMMAC




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