I grew up taking my meals from, and watching that familiar, yet mysterious oriental scene of the lake, the three figures crossing the bridge near the big. Blue willow by doris gates, honor award depression era migrant girl in california. Mar 07, 2020 to get a book signed at one of our events, you must purchase a copy of the event book from blue willow bookshop. The titular blue willow plate, a gift from her greatgrandmother, is the prized possession of janey larkin, the young daughter of a migrant worker family. The prominent sheffield england firm of saw makers 18371957 used the willow pattern as one of their brands. About blue willow newbery honor award book illustrated beautifully by paul lantz wpartial page and full page illustrations. Antique blue willow probably originated with thomas minton c1780 for the caughley pottery in shropshire, england. A 1931 newbery honor book, it is quite refreshing to read this tale of a young girl tired and weary of moving with her father and mother from job to job, place to place, with no roots. This move is different, and janey finds herself longing to stay in this corner of the san joaquin valley near the river that looks so much like the scene in the blue willow plate.
Janey tells lupe the story of the plate as its been told to her. Her greatest and only treasure is a blue willow ceramic plate that once belonged to a mother she can no longer remember. Blue willow by doris gates was a 1941 newbery honor book. Swansea from 1811 to 1870, swansea produced dinnerware, and collectors often seek their blue willow dishes for sale. Written by a librarian who worked with migrant children in fresno, california, this story of a. She lives with her unemployed father and stepmother in an abandoned shack but dreams of living somewhere as beautiful as the design on her mothers prized blue willow plate. This page is about the legend of blue willow blue willow by wedgwood is the most popular english pattern of all time. Im sorry that i missed this book during my childhood. Janey doesnt go to meet lupe but is excited when lupe makes the first move. Churchill blue willow dinner plates 10, set of 4 5. Many believe that the preferred dish was the blue willow grill plate which had separated areas for an entree and sides. The plate pictures a stand of willow trees, a river, a bridge and three people.
The blue willow pattern comes to represent janeys dream of a permanent home. Long ago, in the days when china was ruled by emperors, a chinese manderin,tso ling, lived in the magnificent pagoda under the branches of the apple tree on the right of the bridge, over which droops the famous willow tree, and. Two birds flying high, a chinese vessel, sailing by. How to start collecting blue willow china dinnerware on ebay. Blue willow by doris gates, paul lantz, paperback barnes.
Yalong porcelain blue and white bread butter dinner plate set shallow plates set bowls set of 4, 7inch assorted motifs blue salad plate, serving appetizer salad floral dessert snack. The plate is not only janeys most cherished possession, but the repository and focal point of her hopes. Her most prized possession is a beautiful, blueandwhite chinese pagoda plate, with a blue willow design, given to her by her greatgrandmother. It is a beautiful story which teaches many real truths. Janey has one prized possession, a blue willow plate given to her a long time ago. In fact, the term blue plate special comes from the blue willow plates commonly used in restaurants and diners back in the 1920s thru the 1950s. Thomas turner, who went from worcester in 1772 to caughley in shropshire, brought his factory into prominence. Called the juvenile grapes of wrath, it was named a newbery honor book in 1941. These elements are a willow tree, an orange or apple tree, two birds, people on a bridge, a fence, a boat and a teahouse, which some collectors call a pagoda. Small cracks or lines on dishes typically indicate that someone has repaired them. The blue willow design was extensively used in staffordshire, and eventually it was even copied in china. Dating blue willow and collecting blue willow are discussed, and all known marks are illustrated. Apr 17, 2009 this concludes blue willow part ii manufacturers and marks.
Blue willow china has been made in many different countries. Turner made a specialty of chinese designs in blue underglaze. Dishes with the fewest scratches and indications of wear sell the best. Queen mary ii commissioned the first china cabinet to display her blue willow plates, but for an english countrystyle dining room, consider a less formal english pot board dresser in.
To determine the value of antique blue willow dishes, examine their backs for markings that identify them as genuine blue williow items. She is overjoyed when at last they can live up to the blue willow plate by settling down in a real house with a real school to go to. As the family moves from place to place to earn a less than meager living, janey and her family experience hardships that are common to itinerant farm laborers. The willow pattern is an oriental pattern, most often seen in blue and white, that features common elements from manufacturer to manufacturer. Blue willow dishes manufactured by spode or wedgewood have a higher value. I only have the melamine plates available right now. Several stories have been invented attempting to explain the significance of this pattern.
Guessing who the author was, he sent his soldiers to the island, determined to avenge himself on the man who had stolen his bridetobe. Word is in from third half studios about the blue willow plates i posted about earlier. When her wealthy father opposes kung shi fairs marriage to chang the good, a lowly fisherman, the stage is set for tragedy. Book warp 1 reading blue willow artwife needs a life.
Whose fortunes told in blue upon the willow pattern plate. Whoville blue willow plate third half studios saw these in a booth at the festival yesterday and didnt realize it was doctor who at first, so cool. Grade blue willow china art and culture there is a great book to go with this project. They produced their blue willow italian design from 1816 until the present. As her family setsdown near her fathers current job of picking cotton, janey begins long for a change to stay as long as they want but achieving. Essays and criticism on doris gates blue willow critical essays. In blue willow, doris gates chronicles the harsh life experienced by migrant workers in californias central valley. The blue willow is your perfect source for home decor and accessories, gifts, jewelry, unique baby items, monogramming and so much more.
The blue willow plate is the catalyst that brings janey to the anderson ranch. The original copper plate, worn to the thinness of paper, the first and earliest rendering of this celebrated deisgn, is preserved at coalport, a treasured relic. A young girl, janey has one treasured possession, a blue willow plate. Search online for author events, books to order, recommendations or the newest book club pick. Etsy is the home to thousands of handmade, vintage, and oneofakind products and gifts related to your search.
Blue willow bookshop serves west houston as well as the greater houston area with opinionated advice and our favorite books, games and gifts. A retelling of the legend, on which the willow plate design. A little girl, who wants most of all to have a real home and to go to a regular school, hopes that the valley her family has come to, which so resembles the pattern on her treasured blue willow plate, will be their permanent home. Around the time this book was published i was at a childrens book council conference in melbourne and the publisher, little hare had a stand with posters of little blue. Willow pattern paper plates great literacy and culture inspired lesson. Located on the edges of the energy corridor and memorial neighborhoods, we have staffers and loyal readers from katy, spring branch, memorial. To janey larkin, the blue willow plate was the most beautiful thing in. Hic yk316 blue willow dinner plates, fine white porcelain, set of 4, 10. One friend tells me that blue willow platters are valuable antiques.
The blue plate special which started at diners in the 1920s typically featured a big meal for a great price, served up on a blue plate. I love blue and white blue willow dishes have great great aunt blue willow love them got from aunt cathy i treasure the blue willow china my mother had delivered to me as a surprise. Over 650 color photographs of bowls, ashtrays, plates, pitchers, vases, platters, sugar bowls, and much more are included. I have several pieces of blue willow china but not a complete set. In so doing, youre supporting a local, independent businessand youre also letting the books publisher know that they should keep sending great authors our way. Gaye chapmans illustrations are as intricate as the willow plates themselvesthe endpapers of the book are my favourites.
Her most treasured possession is a blue willow plate that had once belonged to her greatgreatgrandmother. Janey carries her ideal of home with her in the treasured blue willow plate that belonged to her mother. Called the juvenile grapes of wrath, 1 it was named a newbery honor book in 1941. After they flee, the young couple are transformed into two beautiful white doves. The largest piece is a platter that is 15 inches across. The plate recalled days when her family owned their own home and farm, and when her own mother was alive. Janey treasures her blue willow pattern plate, the only item left connecting her to her mother. Blue willow is a realistic childrens fiction book by doris gates, published in 1940. Yalong porcelain blue and white bread butter dinner plate set shallow plates set bowls set of 4, 7inch assorted motifs blue salad plate, serving appetizer salad floral dessert snack 4. Blue willow bookshop west houstons neighborhood book shop. Janeys willow plate belonged to her greatgreat grandmother. Blue willow porcelain was first imported to england from china in the 18th century. Someday, janey promised the willow plate, with its picture of a real house. In fact, the blue plate special was named after the divided blue willow plates on which restaurant specials were servedmeat in one section, vegetables in a second and a starch in the third.
To janey larkin, the blue willow plate was the most beautiful thing in her life, a symbol of the home she could only dimly remember. Janey had to move a lot and she had a plate that reminded her about her greatgreat grand father. By 1780, porcelain manufacturer thomas minton had reproduced the pattern on a line of his dishware. A plate s condition, rarity and desirability deeply affect its value. A plate of willow ware, the familiar household pattern, is the subject of one of the intalgiogravure pictures illustrating china and pottery of our forefathers. Listen now to this story of the little world on the willow plate, by an author unknown. Janeys treasured blue willow plate is her means of hanging onto the past with hope for the future.
Written by a librarian who worked with migrant children in fresno, california, this story of a migrant girl who longs for a permanent home was considered groundbreaking in its portrayal of contemporary workingclass life in america. How to decorate with blue willow plates home guides sf gate. Blue willow by doris gates 1940 is an awardwinning childrens novel, a realist fictional account of the dust bowl and the great depression years that has been called, the grapes of wrath for children. See more ideas about blue willow china, blue and willow pattern.
Originally created in 1780 in england, the blue willow pattern has become one of the most popular patterns in the world, gracing the tables of everyone from british aristocrats to everyday americans. This book became so well known throughout china that even the tajin heard of it. Kung shi fairs remorseful father commissions a blue willow plate that tells the story, so that parents everywhere would always listen to their children, and would always, always heed what was. Blue willow dishes were front row for both the creation of international myth and family dinner stories.
The blue plate special used blue willow grill plates. The title of this book is blue willow and it was written by doris gates. They were old fashioned when your grandparents were children and are as beautiful now as they were 200 years ago. Identification and value guide, to learn about what the markings indicate. Story of an immigrant farm family, set in the san joaquin valley in the early 1900s. She weaves in elements from the traditional legend surrounding the blue willow plate which is of english design, not chinese, but the development of themes and characters seem secondary to the working out of the plot. Blue willow is an important fictional account of the dust bowl and the great depression, and has been called the grapes of wrath for children. Now that her father was an itinerant worker, janey didnt have a home she could call her own or any real friends, as her family had to.
Consult a blue willow book, such as mary frank gastons gastons blue willow. Blue willow by doris gates 9780140309249 beautiful feet books. He, or she wove a tail that is not a tranquil one, but touches on the familiar human story of unrequited. The first thing janey shows lupe is her one important possession a blue willow plate. Someday, janey promised the willow plate, with its picture of a real house, her family would once again be able to set down roots in a community. I think that the book is trying to tell you about hard work. Blue willow tells a charming chinese tale of an angry father pursuing his daughter who is eloping with a commoner. An outstanding childrens book for september judys journey by lois lenski i love books, new. About the book to janey larkin, the blue willow plate was the most beautiful thing in her life, a symbol of the home she could only dimly remember. The blue willow plate that had belonged to her grandmother was about the only beautiful and stable thing in janey larkins life to it she clung as her father and stepmother moved from place to place following the crops like the other pickers.
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