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Friday, January 29, 2021

Teatime Around the World, written by Denyse Waissbluth and illustrated by Chelsea O'Bryne. Greystone Kids. 2020. $22.95 ages 6 and up

 


"With berries 

Indigenous cultures in North America 
prepare tea from berries, plants, and 
and roots. These can be used to treat
fevers, colds, and sore backs, or even 
to help people sleep.
"

Those who know me know how much I love to drink tea. It is, for me, the perfect accompaniment to the book that I am reading at the time. A warm blanket, a comfy chair ... and I am set for a happy hour.

High tea parties trace back to Victorian times when people loved to sit and sip, eat dainty treats, and share the local gossip. Children love to have tea parties in celebration of birthdays with their stuffies, siblings and friends, imagining that they are sharing the custom of days so long ago. There remains a culture around tea; it is both a solitary pursuit and a time shared with others.  

Denyse Waissbluth was a student of tea culture in China. It is there that people began drinking tea thousands of years ago. She shares what she has learned in this lovely new picture book. By doing so, a younger audience is exposed to many cultures, many traditions, and excellent information. It taught me a lot about teas throughout the world. The trip around the world invites readers to observe tea culture from beaches in Argentina, tea ceremonies in Japan, with good friends in the Caribbean, hibiscus tea in South Sudan, and at many other stops along the way. Most tea times are shared with family and friends. 

The text is accompanied by warm and telling scenes created by Chelsea O'Byrne using mixed media. Each spread shows variety is setting and presentation. Young children will explore places and people of the world, while the explanations for the tea types and how they are prepared will hold the attention of older students and the adults who read this book. 

In back matter the author describes her own relationship with tea throughout her life in "My Tea Story". Because of her love for tea, she has connected with people around the world, and has learned much about their lives and cultures. Hospitality is at the heart of sharing a 'cuppa' with friends, family and new acquaintances. 

Looking for something new to do on these brisk winter days? Why not try a new tea ... and add a tasty treat?
                                                                                  


1 comment:

  1. I am such a fan of this book!
    It is the ultimate in nonfiction that reads like entertainment and looks like a tour of the globe.
    A wonderful way to invite kids to explore the world, even sample the tastes and cultural touchstones of others.

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