Tuesday 22 October 2013

Joan in Flowerland by Margaret W. Tarrant

“Do you ever wonder where the colour goes to when the flowers die? The fairies help ’emselves to it.” 

Mr. Digswell from Joan in Flowerland

Moon Daisies

Rose Hips

Harebells

Forget-Me-Not

Water Lilies

Hare's Foot Clover

Lady's Slipper

Dandy Puffs

Foxglove Hat Shop

Honeysuckle

Mr. Digswell tells Joan he has seen fairies “about the garden in the evening; when it's all quiet-like, but it's out in the meadow where you'll find 'em, for they loves the wild flowers best." With that Joan and her rough-haired puppy, Wiggles, head to the meadow to see if they can find them - and of course, they do!

Joan in Flowerland by Margaret W. Tarrant and Lewis Dutton first edition published by Frederick Warne in 1935. 

The little fairy on the front cover hints at something special but I was still unprepared for quite so many delights. There are fairies and elves galore in the 16 colour plates and 27 line drawings. Even the blue and white endpapers are decorated with fairies and elves. This really is a Flower Fairy Delight! 

I'm struggling to decide which of the illustrations I like best. Moon Daisies, Water Lilies and Lady’s Slipper are high on my list, but I also like Rose hips and Honeysuckle and…

Can you pick just one?



Joan in Flowerland is now sold, thank you for your interest.







46 comments:

  1. Hi Barbara, they are all beautiful pictures and so refreshing to see. Thank you. My favourite is 'For-Get-Me-Not' as it reminds me of many happy times

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    1. I think the memories become more important as we get older. Life is good now, but it’s also good to look back on happy times. Thanks for your visit. Barbara.

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  2. These illustrations are delightful! This book looks so magical. I love Dandy Puffs- it reminds me of my grandmother. Thank you for sharing this- it made my day to look at these pictures. : ) ~ Jess

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    1. Thank you Jess. I like Dandy Puffs too – there I go changing my mind again!

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  3. Such wonderful illustrations, I've looked at them time and time again and have eventually decided my favourite is probably Foxglove Hat Shop.

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    1. Hello Tracy, I had a feeling there would be lots of different choices. I must say I like that one too, but then I like them all!

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  4. These are not two words I ever thought I'd write but Dandy Puffs is my fave.

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    1. Hi Roger, I think Dandy Puffs would be a wonderful name for a character in a book. Do the three hoodies need an accomplice? : )

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    2. Not my kind of book, although, wait a moment...

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  5. Magical just magical....I LOVE 'Fox glove hat shop' so very much! Thank you for sharing another book by the wonderful Margaret Tarrant, Barbara...Hugs Maria x

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    1. Hello Maria, I can't tell you how much I enjoy sharing them! Thank you so much for your lovely comment, hugs back Barbara x

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  6. Oh what a DELIGHT! It is stunning to me that we seek the magic of childhood, of beauty and peace as we create. These are the epitome of childhood imagination my friend. How I love the FORGET-ME-NOT! Warm greetings to you, Anita

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    1. The forget-me-not is such a pretty little flower, and Margaret Tarrant certainly does it justice. Thank you for your kind words Anita your visits are always a joy. Barbara xx

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  7. OMG, what a cute post ,I am watching the illustrations again and again:)

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    1. Thank you Aunt Mary, feel free to look at them as many times as you like :)

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  8. I can't pick just one either! My favorite three are the first one you mentioned- but each is just so enchanting. This is such a wonderful book and a delightful book to have on one's shelf. The pictures really do stir the imagination. Thanks so much for sharing them. :)

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    1. Hello Stephanie, it really is difficult to pick just one - I keep changing my mind. Thanks for your visit, Barbara.

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  9. They're all so beautiful!! They remind me of the stories I read as a child about Brownies and Waterbabies. My favorites are the water lilies and the forget me not. Thank you for sharing!!

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    1. I couldn't agree more! My first thought when I looked at the water lilies illustration was "ah ha someone has been reading the water babies!" Thanks for your visit.

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  10. Moon Daisies and Water Lilies are my favourite but I too love them all. What a delightful little book. The cover is decieving.

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    1. Hi Darlene, This is one of those times when the saying “never judge a book by its cover” is absolutely true! Thanks for your comment.

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  11. My favorite is the Foxglove Hat Shop. What lovely illustrations!

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    1. Thank you! Thank you also for your visit. Barbara.

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  12. Yes mine too!! Definitely "The Foxglove Hat Shop" I keep saying "oh, oh, oh!!" Thank you so much for sharing this delightful book with us & the some of the exquisite illustrations. Margaret Tarrant is absolutely my favourite children's illustrator.
    You know, I'm not sure that I ever knew that they were called dandy puffs...I am so delighted to finally know!! Please may I use the Foxglove hat shop (with a link of course)? Much love to you Catherine x0x0x0x

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    1. Hello Catherine, yes please, I’m already looking forward to seeing the illustration on your lovely blog, and a link would be wonderful. I haven’t heard them called Dandy Puffs, as kids we called them dandelion clocks – the number of puffs it took to remove all the seeds was supposed to tell the time – that must be where the puff's bit comes from! I’ve never thought about it before, thank you for pointing it out. Love Barbara xx

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  13. All the illustrations are beautiful, but that little boy, sitting looking up into the eyes of the old man, with the girl on tip toe, it's enchanting on the honeysuckle, so neat.

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    1. I agree with you. It really is a beautiful image. Thanks so much for taking the time to call in.

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  14. What a lovely post, and such a beautiful book.
    I couldn't possibly choose just one favourite, although I do adore Forget-Me-Nots.

    By the way - I came across THIS book today, and thought of you :o

    Have a lovely day Barbara x



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    1. That’s so funny! The theme of the book (Murders!) doesn’t really go with my blog, but I know exactly what you mean. (O: You have made me think I should start a collection of books with March Hare or March House in the title – it could be fun.
      I’m glad you enjoyed the illustrations Yvonne, thanks for your visit. xx

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  15. My favorite is forget-me-not! They are all gorgeous though!

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    1. Thanks Diane, I agree - they are all gorgeous.

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  16. It is so very hard to pick one but if I absolutely had to it would be the dandy puffs, we used to pick them as children, make a wish and blow. You don't see kids doing that really these days, lovely memories evoked as always with a wee visit here, thank you <3

    Lainy http://www.alwaysreading.net

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    1. We used them to tell the time (how many puffs to remove all the seeds), not that it was ever accurate! But it was a good excuse to be late home for tea! I don’t recall seeing children doing it for years, but maybe they do and we just don’t notice. Thank you for your lovely comment.

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  17. No, I can't. I want to pick all of them! The last with using the tip of a honeysuckle petal to dig the ear was a little ... eww for me (but it is pretty practical, I must say). Flowers and fairies go so well together. My favourite would have to be the harebells. The water lilies are such a calming flower. I feel like I can breathe easier just imagining their scent.

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  18. Barbara, just read your clarification on my blog and I can't stop laughing. Of course that was used as an ear pick! Good heavens, it sounds so much better, too ...

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    1. Hello Claudine, your comment really made my day - thank goodness it's an ear trumpet and not an ear pick! (O:
      The harebells are lovely and not quite as showy as some of the others. I can’t make up my mind which I like best and there are a lot more in the book. Thanks for calling back. xx

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  19. Lovely images!! All of them, those sweet faces...You know I'm new in this "children's books world" and not an expert like you and I haven't heard about Margaret Tarrant until I found her "Nursery Rhymes" but since then I think she is my favorite, I love her illustrations a lot.
    Great post!

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    1. Hello Silvina, I certainly can’t claim to be an expert, I just like pretty things. You have an amazing collection of books & nursery china, so I’m sure you know as much, if not more, than me. Thank you so much for you comment. Barbara.

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  20. I haven't read the book, but those illustrations do seem familiar for soem reason.

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    1. Hello Nikki-ann, maybe you've seen them on Pinterest or another site like that? Margaret Tarrant's illustrations do tend to get shared quite often. Thanks for calling in.

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  21. Forget-me-nots and the Foxglove hat shop are my favorites but I could love them all. I used to collect postcards with these or similar images and can't find a single one. Wonder if I made the mistake of sending them to someone? :)

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    1. Dear Eve you always make me laugh! Maybe you’ve just put them somewhere safe or on the other hand, perhaps you have (as you say) sent them to someone! : )

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  22. These illustrations are just beautiful!! Two of my favorite things... flowers and fairies. :-)
    Sorry to hear that you have had such trouble with spam. Did you change all three settings? (It sounds like you may have tried to turn off word verification without completing the other two steps... registered users only and comment moderation.)

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    1. Hello Gayle, thanks so much for coming over and leaving a comment, I’m glad you enjoyed the illustrations.
      I think I’ve tried that in the past, but I will give it another go. I just know the last time I removed the word verification I was swamped with junk. I still get some now, but at least I can stop it getting onto the blog. I’m going to be away for a little while and then very busy, so I may just leave things as they are until after Christmas. Thanks for the advice; I will try to sort it because I know how annoying word verification can be, Barbara.

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  23. I love fairies. Who doesn't? I favor the 'forget-me-not' one although they're all wonderful.

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I really appreciate your comment. Thank you!
Barbara xx