The Tea Party in the Woods

Reviewed by: Sheila Dube - Springvale Public Library, Springvale, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: September 15, 2015

Review

Recommending this picture book for cream. This Japanese import, will win the heart of dreamers, forest dwellers and fairy tale lovers alike. It has snowed the night before and Kikko's father is going Grandma's house to help clear the walk. After he leaves, Kikko realizes that he forgot the box of pie waiting for her. Kikko goes out to catch up with him, but trips and falls. The box is squished. After recovering, she must catch up and she glimpses his hat and coat at a distance. When she arrives at a home she doesn't recognize, she looks in the window and sees that she was following a bear. When a kind voice, a lamb dressed in a coat and handbag, asks her "Are you here for the tea party?", she has to go inside and see. She is welcomed by animals in party clothes, served tea and given various pieces of different pies to make up for the ruined one. They lead her to Grandma's house in parade fashion through the woods. The standout part of this Little Red Riding Hood inspired story is Miyakoshi's warm and inviting charcoal, pencil and color ink illustrations. Each item, from Kikko's plaid leggings to the bear's three piece suit, is detailed with texture although the pallet is layers of grey and black with only a few specific colors, such as the little girl's yellow hair, her red skirt, red mittens and brass instruments. The emotions that the animals and humans are feeling emanate off the page. There is varying perspectives used to illustration different parts of the story that add another layer of meaning to the story. For example, when Kikko falls, the view is from the ground up which enhances the "ouch" she must be feeling. When the rabbit bends down to see the ruined pie, the small mice collecting the sugar cubes look so small because they are as tall as the pie box. This story will be useful for story times that feature fairy tales, winter, diversity and sharing. Readers will pore over the pictures because of all the tiny details.

Overall Book Score: excellent