I read A LOT of tea books, but I was excited to be sent a copy of an adorable children’s book recently. Teatime Around the World was written by Denyse Waissbluth and illustrated by Chelsea O’Byrne. The author has traveled to over 20 countries and was inspired by how tea was celebrated in so many different ways.
The book’s main text is made up of lines of a poem spread out over 48 pages. Each one is accompanied by a caption explaining how different cultures enjoy tea. The approach is simple but keep in mind that this book is meant for children. Not only were the illustrations adorable, but I was impressed at the diversity of the people shown. It was a perfect representation of one of my favorite things about tea. It connects us all!
This book takes you on a mini trip worldwide from Moroccan mint to masala chai and Tibetan ya butter tea. It wouldn’t be possible for a book like this to cover a comprehensive history of tea. That being said, there is certainly enough here to whet a curious young person’s appetite for more.
Amazon lists the reading level as preschool to 4th grade. Teatime Around the World is also a good candidate for reading out loud to any age. I could also see it coming in handy in a classroom setting.
The book closed with a Denyse sharing a bit about her personal tea story. I loved reading about her experience sharing tea with a family in Singapore during Ramadan.
If you put together the lines from each page, it makes this sweet little poem about tea.
Tea for One. Tea for Two. Tea for Me. Tea for You.
With sugar or spice, yak butter, or ice. With berries or flowers, enjoy it for hours.
With sweet things stacked high, or poured from the sky. With soda, a rock, or made with a sock.
From old ways to new, with straws to drink through. Good friends will appear when teatime is here.
Tea for one. Tea for two. Loved by all the whole world through.
I don’t have any children myself, but I know many tea-loving families for whom this book would quickly become a bedtime reading favorite. It’s a wonderful way to encourage discussions about world cultures.
I’d love to giveaway my copy to a randomly selected winner. To enter, just leave a comment below telling me who you would like to share this book with!
Have you read Teatime Around the World? Let me know your thoughts!
This book was provided for review by Greystone Books.
What a sweet book! Thank you for bringing it to my attention. I would share it with my four grand daughters 🙂
Looking forward to receiving this book. I love the ritual of tea. It will be used to inspire others to the joy of tea and the common sharing of tea around the world.