Tea Party Today: Poems to Sip and Savor by Eileen Spinelli, Karen Dugan, Karen Dugan (Illustrator)

Children's Literature

The fun of hosting a tea party for real or imaginary friends is part of this collection of pomes. From shopping, to invitation preparation, getting oneself dressed to the tea party itself are celebrated in verse. For those who may not be so ambitious or inclined to entertain, "Tea for One" or "Cozy" may just hit the spot-for "There's a lot to be said/For a tea tray in bed." Spinelli offers her teatime tips at the bottom of each page. Dugan's illustrations are soft and warm and will bring a smile just like sipping a delicious cup of tea.

School Library Journal

PreS-Gr 3-As long as tea parties continue to appeal-and they do-there will be an audience for pleasant books such as this. Sturdy poems with strong rhythms by a sure hand examine the many possibilities of these social occasions. Two of the liveliest and noisiest, "What's That Racket?" (".../Pigs oink/Dogs bark-/Time for tea/On Noah's ark") and "Kitchen Music" ("Pots clank./Glasses clink./Water gurgles/In the sink..."), have mostly two words per line. Word choices are usually simple enough to be within the capabilities of young readers. Short lines and repetition allow for quick memorization. Although the subjects, from honey to herbal teas to teddy-bear picnics, are lighthearted, the rhymes are never trite. Brightly clothed, happy children romp through sunlit watercolor pages, paying homage to diversity-of culture, race, gender, and age-in a jolly, upscale greeting-card style. Even the fish are smiling. The full- or double-page illustrations are well designed to reflect the content of the poems. A variety of teapots are used as a motif throughout the book. While perhaps not a necessary purchase, this title will make an enjoyable extra for storyhour programs as well as young party planners and their parents.-Sally Margolis, Barton Public Library, VT

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