The Queen Is Coming to Tea

November 28, 2016
In this imagination-fueled frolic, a canine footman arrives at the door of a girl named Ellie, bearing a scroll from the Queen, who invites herself to tea. “We’d be honored!” Ellie replies, and she and her elephant companion, Langley, fetch provisions. They fly to Paris in an open-cockpit plane for cake, ride a rickshaw to China for tea, motor to Italy to pick up lemons, and hail a taxi to Manhattan to borrow a ballerina’s “fluffiest, fanciest, frilliest” tutu (which, truth be told, actually looks like a ball gown). At each stop, Ellie encounters helpful individuals, mostly animals, who return home with her, eager to meet the Queen. After the assembled group eats all of the cake and tea and promptly falls asleep, Ellie awakens and shares tea for two with the Queen—her mother. Lodding (Painting Pepette) and von Kitzing (Pearls of Wisdom) leave just enough gaps and clues to keep readers guessing. It’s a fairly formulaic pretend journey, but there’s real tenderness in the final scene, and von Kitzing’s candy-colored pencil-and-paint artwork creates a festive mood throughout. Ages 4–8. Author’s agent: Jennifer Unter, Unter Agency.

December 1, 2016
It's time for tea!When the Queen decides to come to tea, Ellie, fair-skinned and with a brown bowl cut, has a lot to do. First, accompanied by her beloved elephant, she must go to Paris for pastries. Since the Queen must have the best, it's all the way to China for tea. Naturally, they must go to Italy for lemons, and finally, the two are off to New York for the finest in tutus. Quite a day! While the text itself is simple and straightforward and implies that the events are actually occurring, colorful acrylic illustrations show Ellie and her stuffed animals off on their travels, mixing Ellie's imaginative journey with both realistic and fantastical details. Teatime is an animated celebration, and before Ellie and the guests who have returned with her (her toys) realize it, the cake is almost gone and it's time to dance. Ellie is the only one awake by the time the Queen (presumably her mother) arrives, and the two have a lovely time on their own. But wait--it looks like the King is coming for a feast tomorrow! While a bit lightweight and insubstantial, this is still a pleasing tale with an active heroine and references to travel, and it should prepare youngsters for their own imaginative play with their animals and adults. A fanciful offering for those who take tea. (Picture book. 2-5)

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