Tea with Grandpa

February 10, 2014
This deceptively simple story takes something classic—an afternoon tea party between a girl and her grandfather—and tweaks it for a generation raised on touch screens. Saltzberg’s (A Little Bit of Oomph!) bouncy couplets and understated cartoons chronicle the daily ritual: “Every day at half past three.../ Me and Grandpa./ Time for tea./ I can pour so carefully./ Grandpa holds his cup for me.” Eagle-eyed kids may notice that the frizzy-haired girl and her vest-wearing grandfather are never pictured together, and even their backgrounds differ (hers is a lime green wash, while his is a pale blue). The final spread reveals why: Grandpa’s enjoying his tea on the flat-screen monitor of the girl’s computer. Mischievous pet antics add a dash of fun, but the focus is on the sweet bond between these two family members separated by distance. And with the merits and perils of e-books, apps, and screen time—especially with regard to children—the subject of near-constant debate, this book comes as a welcome reminder that technology isn’t all bad. Ages 3–7. Agent: Rosemary Stimola, Stimola Literary Studio.

April 1, 2014
A young girl and her grandpa do not let distance keep them from their daily commitment to have tea together. Bespectacled Grandpa meets up with his curly-haired granddaughter "[e]very day at half past three" to spend time with each other. Tea is poured, stories are told, songs are sung, and much laughter is shared. Observant readers will notice the girl's pet cat and Grandpa's pup cavorting as the gentle vignettes go back and forth between the two characters. Pastel-hued illustrations in what look like watercolor with details drawn using fine black lines have a cheerful cartoon style. Each spread presents one page with a simple line or two of gently rhyming text opposite a vignette of either Grandpa or the little girl. Even though the background colors subtly change from green for the girl's scenes to pale blue for the grandfather's, few will predict the unexpected ending that increases this title's charm and timeliness. When Grandpa says, "I'd like some muffin," his granddaughter tells him he is "[t]oo far away." But on the following page, they almost clink their cups together against a pink, heart-shaped background and say their goodbyes face to face...through the computer. The welcome modern twist to Saltzberg's intergenerational story is sweetly affirming for today's far-flung families. (Picture book. 3-6)

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April 1, 2014

PreS-Gr 2-"Every day at half past three...Me and Grandpa. Time for tea." The child and her grandfather share stories, sing songs, drink tea, of course, and more. Fans of Saltzberg's beloved animal characters will be delighted that they join in the fun as well. Large print and simple vocabulary make this an ideal beginning reader, and a twist at the end will appeal to savvy readers. Bright pastels serve as background for the text, while Saltzberg's simple, cartoon pen-and-ink illustrations are washed with soft hues of coordinating colors. The endpapers are delightfully arrayed with the comical animal stars of the text drinking tea as well. Perfect for sharing about the love between children and their grandparents, a love that has no boundaries or conditions. Simply charming!-Carol Connor, Cincinnati Public Schools, OH

Copyright 2014 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

April 1, 2014
Preschool-K The timelessness of the tea party goes digital when a young girl and her grandfather find a creative way to connect despite being separated by distance. At first, this seems like any party, complete with tea, singing, silliness, and animal friends. The simple text and well-paced rhymes work well with the softly colored line drawings that express the action and joy of the scene. It's only at the book's conclusion that we see Grandpa is inside a computer, Skyping with the girl, and not actually at the table. This kind of relationship is one many kids today will relate to, and the book is also a great reminder that even though their grandparents might be far away, they are always close enough for tea. For a storytime about the special relationship between grandparents and grandchildren, pair this with My Most Favorite Thing (2000), by Nicola Moon, and The Hello Goodbye Window (2005), by Norton Juster.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2014, American Library Association.)