TEA STORIES AND POEMS, BOOKS, TOYS AND GAMES
(excerpts from posts)
(If you want to retell any of the stories listed below, be sure to obtain permission from the copyright holder if the material is not in the public domain)

1) Tea Party
I had a little tea party, this afternoon at three
Twas very small, three guests in all, I, Myself, and Me
Myself ate up the sandwhiches, while I drank up the tea
Twas also I who ate the pie and passed the cake to me!
http://cameodesigns.com/teaparty.html

2) A Cup Of Tea
When the world is all at odds
And the mind is all at sea
Then cease the useless tedium
And brew a cup of tea.
There is magic in its' fragrance,
There is solace in its' taste;
And the laden moments vanish
Somehow into space.
And the world becomes a lovely thing!
There's beauty as you'll see;
All because you briefly stopped
To brew a cup of tea.

"If you are cold, tea will warm you;
if you are depressed it will cheer you;
if you are excited it will calm you."
~William Gladstone

3) There's a book called The Tea Party Book (1993 - Ages 4-8) by Lucille Recht Penner. It has menus, recipes, decorations and favors to make but no poems. It might give you some ideas for your party.
Book Description
Illus. in full color. Little girls will be inspired to have tea parties with this guide to the art of the tea party. Brimming with simple menus, kid-pleasing recipes, and lovely decoration and favor ideas, each party has a theme--from valentine and teddy-bear teas to rainy-day and garden teas.
•••••

4) Another book that might contain some ideas: Tea Party Today: Poems to Sip And Savor by Eileen Spinelli and Karen Dugan.
From Booklist
Ages 6^-8. This suite of poems uses tea and teatime for a number of cozy and engaging reflections: "tea for one" in a window seat; peppermint tea by the fireside on a stormy night; tea with teddy bears or by the seashore. Each verse has an accompanying full-or double-page illustration, and below each is a "Teatime tip," such as having a "Noah's tea," where friends bring stuffed animals, or that "sometimes the best thing to give a grouch at teatime is a hug." The illustrations are extremely charming. There are comfortable interiors with a cast of ethnically diverse children; there are dreamy seascapes and fairy tale flowers; and everywhere there's an array of teapots and teacups in candy colors. The images are apt and polished: "The kettle is cozied / by lemony sun . . . Brown sugar beach is soft and sweet / This day is good enough to eat." Deeply cheerful. Review by GraceAnne A. DeCandido.
•••••

5) Lots of information here.
Afternoon Tea Party
http://www.afternoonteaparty.com/

6) I told the poem A Cup of Christmas Tea ( http://www.atthewell.com/christmas/tea/ ) two years ago at a Christmas luncheon for senior citizens. It was very well received. I was able to learn it in an afternoon while I was decorating my house for Christmas. It really is a wonderful piece of poetry. The key for me was to take one stanza at a time, learn it, then go onto the next. Only when I could repeat the first two without hesitation did I move on to the third...and so on. It made it much easier to break it down stanza by stanza instead of being overwhelmed by the whole piece. As for other tea stories, the only thing that came to mind was the Mad Hatter's Tea Party
( http://www.cs.cmu.edu/~rgs/alice-VII.html ) from Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass (Signet Classics). Is this tea party for children? Adults? Perhaps if you can't find a suitable "tea story" you can use some background information on the history of tea and interweave stories from those cultures. Maybe you could also talk about the artistry behind the Japanese Tea Ceremony.

Here is an interesting link for you to look at, maybe some ideas will start brewing.
A Brief History of Tea
http://www.museums.norfolk.gov.uk/default.asp?Document=400.300.100
http://www.tealuxe.com/welcome/history/history.html
http://www.marktwendell.com/historyoftea.htm
Comment: St. Louis storyteller/poet Jeff Miller suggests learning the last stanza first, then keep adding backwards -- that assures a strong, confident ending. I don't do many poems either, but that does help me on the rare occasions when I stretch to a poem.

7) This offers more background info and a story called The Monkey Legend which resulted in the Monkey Tea.
L'Amyx Tea Bar - Tea History
http://www.weirdasianews.com/2007/09/16/rare-chinese-monkey-picked-tea/

8) Important dates in the history of tea and two legends as well.
Index
http://users.bigpond.net.au/lookman/SpecLegendTea.htm

9) Then there is the history behind the Boston Tea Party. Now like any good New Englander I need to go and make some tea.

10) I tell Jay O'Callohan's Orange Cheeks (with his permission), emphasizing that the grandmother and grandson enjoy having tea together. I say the little boy loves it so much because while they're sipping tea and eating banana nut bread, she tells him stories from her childhood. "And his favorite one is......" I then interject a brief story my mother used to tell me about HER childhood. Does that qualify as a "tea" story? One could actually weave two or three family vignettes into such a format. At the end, I always say that it is "based on a story by...etc.)
Orange Cheeks
Book Description
FOUR-AND-A-HALF-YEAR-OLD WILLIE, loves to visit Grandma's house, where the stairs are "dark as chocolate" and the dust dances in the sunlight, where he can kiss Grandma's wrinkled, crinkled cheeks and be served tea in the dining room. Grandma even has a special prize waiting for Willie. Here, in an atmosphere rich in trust and understanding, mistakes are forgiven and lessons are learned. With Grandma's assistance, Willie discovers that some problems can be readily solved and good secrets are a wonderful gift. Willie has promised to stay out of trouble on this visit to Grandma's house. "Last weekend," his mother admonishes him, "you cut up all the fruit and put it in the big bowl and poured salt on top. If there's any trouble, you won't go overnight for a year." Unfortunately, Willie (in the way of all four-year-olds) is so busy enjoying himself that trouble sneaks up on him again. But it's Grandma to the rescue, as she works her magic to restore order. The trouble, Grandma tells her daughter, "was that Willie and I didn't have enough time together."

11) In Tales of a Korean Grandmother (Tut Books. L) (I think), there's a brief story about a general who comes rushing up to a town well, very thirsty. He's hot and red in the face and the young girl at the well immediately gets him a big ladle full of water-- and puts some twigs and bark on top. he can't gulp it like he wanted to, and is forced to drink it slowly. when he's done he asks the girl why she put stuff in his water, and she said it was because if he had gulped it it would have been bad for him (serious dehydration needs slow watering, right?)... he is so impressed by her wisdom he marries her. Not *exactly* tea, but close.
Comment: This is in A Weave Of Words or the story of Anait, too, with water, not tea - story has roots in Armenia. In it, Anait keeps spilling the water demanded by the disguised prince - she gives it to him eventually when he has cooled down enough to take it without it making him have stomach cramps.
A Weave Of Words by Robert D. San Souci with Raul Colon (illus). (1998 - Ages 4-8)
Book Description
A reworking of Armenian folktales in which a lazy prince learns to read, write, and weave to win his love only to have these very talents later save him from a three-headed monster.

12) Below are notes I took from a library book, with the thought of sometime using tea as a theme for a women's group. Never did it, but the idea is still there.

In my family, tea was very much part of everyday life. Tea with milk and sugar, of course, my mother being English. We got a "real" teacup for our 12th birthday, a bone china cup with saucer, because at 12 we were allowed to have tea when the grownups did. (My sister Judy still has her cup. Like most of my childhood possessions, mine bit the dust long ago. Some of my other 7 sisters may also still have theirs) After school each day we would sit with Mom and drink tea and talk about the day. Mornings always started with tea, and we had tea with dinner. Usually just Lipton's, but once in a while my granny would send Mom real English tea and that was a treat.

Dad always took a thermos of tea to work with him. In winter, Mom would add a jigger of brandy to "warm him up." I bet it did! She said the heat of the tea in the thermos removed the alcohol from the brandy. I wonder.... When we were sick, we would get tea with a little brandy in it too, to help us sleep. And tea was the cure-all for all emotional hurts and ailments. Mom would say, "let's make a cup of tea, dear, and you can tell me all about it." It wasn't me she was talking to usually, since I tended to keep my troubles to myself, but I was often present at such talks with other sisters.

Nowadays I still start most days with a cup of tea with milk and sugar, usually Earl Grey. My grandchildren love to have "milk tea" when they come to visit, and my oldest son insists on tea each morning when he comes to visit. Tea has to be made in a pot, of course, and the water boiling when it's poured over the tea to make it steep right.

13) And here are my tea notes:
Tea Time Notes
From The Book of Tea and Herbs: Appreciating the Varietals and Virtues of Fine Tea and Herbs c1993 by the Republic of Tea, published by the Cole Group, Santa Rosa, CA.
· All tea comes from the same plant: Camellia sinensis, related to the flowering camellia.
· Soil, climate, elevation, time of harvest and weather all affect the character of the tea leaves of each plant.
· Tea comes originally from China, Tibet, and northern India. They tried to grow it in South Carolina for a while, but too expensive. Now most comes from Ceylon, China, Formosa, Japan and India.
· Black tea is processed by withering to remove moisture, rolling the leaf to break apart the cells so that enzymes are released, then fermenting to change the chemical structure of the leaf which allows the desired flavors to emerge, and finally firing, which turns them black and preserves the flavor.
· Green tea is processed by panfiring or steaming as soon as the leaves are picked, rolling, firing to dry.
· Pekoe means "white hair" in Chinese, which describes the downy tips of young buds. Orange pekoe refers not to color or taste but to the Dutch House of Orange, a reference to nobility
Book Description
This accessible, copiously illustrated handbook becons the reader to journey from the tea gardens of Asia to the tea rooms of Europe and North America, sampling the finest full-leaf teas along the way. It's the only concise chronicle to the joys of both teas and herbal beverages...with comprehensive listings of tea varieties and herb types. The Book of Tea and Herbs is everyone's guide to an enlightening and pleasurable quest through that most ancient, and most contemporary, world of the magical and soothing beverage called Tea.

14) Story About Tea (base it on Little Red Hen).
Who will draw the water?
Who will boil it?
Who will spoon the tea from the tin?
Who will lift the kettle and pour?
Who waits while it steeps?
Who fills the cups?
Who will drink the tea?

15) Most tea drinking nation: Ireland, then UK, then Turkey! US not even in top ten.

16) The Clipper ship was America's contribution to tea. Speed.

17) Tea-related expressions:
· Nice old cup of tea-dear person
· Let the tea steep-let it rest; forget it
· Not for all the tea in China: not at any price
· Nor my cup of tea: not for me; doesn't suit my tastes
· Tempest in a Teapot: Much ado about nothing
· That's another cup of tea: that's another thing altogether

18) How to read tea leaves:
1. Make a pot of tea with loose tea-don't use a strainer.
2. Pour the hot tea into a china teacup with a white china interior
3. Drink the tea, one sip at a time.
4. Swirl the tea that's left in the cup. Some people say to swirl three times in the direction away from yourself.
5. Turn the cup upside down into it's saucer.
6. The tea-leaf reader should be the one to pick up the cup, to read the leaves that remain in the cup.

What the leaves mean:
· Leaves near the rim are about the near future.
· Leaves farther down are about the more distant future, those in the bottom the very far-off future.
· The handle represents the person whose tea leaves are being read. The relationship of the handle to the leaves is important..
· First impressions are important, suggesting an answer to the question the subject was thinking about while drinking the tea.
· A lot of leaves in the cup means a full, rich life. One leaf on the side means a stranger is coming.

19) I realised that I put the wrong name of the company for Throat Coat tea, and I really like this product so I thought I would resend it. It is by Traditional Medicinals, website is
http://www.traditionalmedicinals.com/
If you put Throat Coat into search on site you can read all about it. And I just noticed on the site they now have Lemon Eccanechia Throat Coat. I use the throat coat during the gig... sometimes not even sick, it just eases the throat - slippery elm, a long known throat soother by Native Americans. If I am feeling raspy, I start sipping it on the way to the gig and then during. It can take voice from raspy to pretty clear in not too long and makes throat feel better too. They also make a number of other herbal medician teas and all the ones I have tried -Breathe Easy, Gypsy Cold Care, Ginger aid, etc -work pretty well.

BOOKS:

• Dark Sparkle Tea: And Other Bedtime Poems by Tim Myers with Kelley Cunningham (illus) (2006 - Ages 4-8)
From Booklist
Gr. 2-4. Myers writes songs, in addition to stories and poems, and the selections in this collection beg for a guitar to back up their foot-tapping beats and infectious, repetitive words. The subject is bedtime, but these aren't sleepy-time rhymes. Many poems describe rambunctious prebedtime preparations: "tubbed and towel-rubbed, / now jumping in jammers / like bed-bound jackhammers." Children will enjoy the nonsense, nursery-rhyme wordplay ("dizzy busy buzzy bees / waggle-work"). And then there's the decription of bedtime "At the Skunks' House," filled with stinky endearments ("little stinkhearts," "wee Limburgers") that are sure to provoke giggles. In a more earnest selection, a girl speaks about the thrilling freedom dreams bring. The pastel illustrations ably extend both the family coziness and the outside world's quiet starlight. For more bedtime verse, pair this with The Drowsy Hours (2002), edited by Susan Pearson. Gillian Engberg.

• Tea & Poems by Christopher Scott Norman (2008)
Book Description
Christopher Scott Norman was born in Montclair, New Jersey, in 1963. In 1978, he moved with his parents to Florida and finished high school there. He graduated from Florida Atlantic University and received a BA in humanities in 1991. Christopher married in 1992 and later had two daughters. He enjoys eastern philosophy, and has had many experiences in meditation, which led him to write poems and philosophies since he was a teenager. Considering himself a truth seeker, he mostly follows his inner path and not outside sources.

• Asian-Pacific Folktales and Legends by Jeannette Faurot (1995).
From Library Journal
The 65 myths and folktales in this volume are gathered from the rich heritage of legends in eight East and Southeast Asian countries, with the largest number of stories coming from China (17). The editor herself translates or retells 14 of the Chinese stories for this collection, while the others are reprinted from existing anthologies. The themes of many of the stories are similar to Western legends. The "fox fairy" stories contain vampirish seductresses, for instance, while in the Cinderella-like "Story of Tam and Cam" from Vietnam the Buddhist Goddess of Mercy acts like a fairy godmother and the stepdaughter is actually killed by her wicked stepmother. Though Faurot (Asian studies, Univ. of Texas) does not state the criteria for inclusion in this book, the stories are grouped by general categories such as "How Things Came To Be" and "Magic Gifts." The collection gives a quick, multinational overview of some favorite Asian legends. Recommended for larger public libraries.
E. Perushek, Univ. of Tennessee Libs., Knoxville.

• The Classic of Tea: Origins & Rituals by Yu Lu, Lu Yu, Demi (illus) and Francis Ross Carpenter (translator).

• Mountain Tea and Other Poems by Peter Van Toorn (1984).

• A Glass of Green Tea-With Honig by Susan Brown and Thomas Epstein (1994).

• Brown Honey in Broomwheat Tea: Poems by Joyce Carol Thomas with Floyd Cooper (illus)
(1993 - Ages 4-8)
Book Description
‘A cycle of a dozen lyrical poems exploring issues of African-American identity through delicately interwoven images. . . . Laden with meaning, the poetry is significant and lovely. Cooper's paintings, with vibrant, unsentimentalized characters in earth tone illumined with gold, are warm, contemplative'a beautiful complement to Thomas's eloquence. A must.' 'K. ‘Poems rooted in home, family, and the African-American experience…. Highly readable and attractive.' 'BL.
1994 Coretta Scott King Award Honor Book for Nonfiction
1994 Coretta Scott King Award Honor Book for Illustration
1994 Teachers' Choices (IRA)
Notable 1994 Childrens' Trade Books in Social Studies (NCSS/CBC)
1994 Notable Trade Books in the Language Arts (NCTE)
100 Books for Reading and Sharing (NY Public Library)
1993 "Pick of the Lists" (ABA)

Excerpted from Brown Honey in Broomwheat Tea : Poems by Joyce Carol Thomas, Floyd Cooper. Copyright © 1993. Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved. (from amazon.com)

Brown Honey in Broomwheat Tea
My mother says I am
Brown honey in broomwheat tea
My father calls me the sweetwater of his days
Yet they warn
There are those who
Have brewed a
Bitter potion for
Children kissed long by the sun
Therefore I approach
The cup slowly
Bur first I ask
Who has set this table

• At tea in the mortuary: Poems and tales by Stanley McNail (1991).

• I Asked a Tiger to Tea: And Other Poems by Ivy O. Eastwick and Walter B. Barbe with Melanie W. Hall (illus) (2002 - Grades 2-4)
From Booklist
Gr. 2-6. Inspired by the English garden of Eastwick's childhood, the poems in this collection, compiled by Walter Barbe, are populated by fanciful animals, flavored with elements of nature, and written in appealing, lilting cadences: "Nighttime / Away went the twilight! / Away went the rain! / All the little fireflies / Glimmered once again. / A hundred little bright lights / Dancing on the breeze / Underneath the lilacs / And pussy willow trees." Many of them also display a keen sense of humor: "Six Little Monsters" is a tongue-in-cheek commentary on child discipline; in "Elegant Edward," Edward is "puffed up" and certain "there's nobody half so clever or handsome" when he's invited to greet the queen, but he forgets to take off his bedroom slippers! Eastwick's rhythmically dancing lines are in concert with Hall's richly textured, lushly colored art; the pictures' graceful, fanciful forms nicely complement the nonsense, nature, and fantasy of the engaging rhymes. Previous generations enjoyed many of these poems in Highlights for Children magazine; this collection proves there's much about Eastwick's work that will engage today's young readers, too. Ellen Mandel.

• The girl who turned into tea: Poems of Minako Nagashima by Minako Hagashima. (2000)

• The Beautiful: Collected Poems.(Book Review): An article from: Radical Teacher by Merri Lisa Johnson. (2005)
Book Description
This digital document is an article from Radical Teacher, published by Thomson Gale on June 22, 2005. The length of the article is 773 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

• Musings and Men - A Collection of Original Tea Poetry (Earlene Grey Poems, No. 2) by Earlene Grey. (2004)
Book Description
One of 3 poetry books about tea with Victorian images. These books are small but stunning. 4 1/8 wide by 5 ½ high printed on very heavyweight metallic paper stock. Inside each cover is a beautiful, floral, sheer paper through which you can view the title page. Very pretty and meaningful poetry. Youll want them all!
Musings with a Cuppa': A Collection of Original Tea Poetry (Earlene Grey Poems, No. 1)
Musings for the Quiet Person - A Collection of Original Tea Poetry (Earlene Grey Poems, No. 3)

• Darjeeling Tea-Leaves: poems by Norby Nayar. (August House - 2006)
Book Description
Candour, humour, sympathy, grace, fluidity characterise the poems of Darjeeling Tea-leaves. They touch the essential or thinner pulse of the reader in nuances of sensations, feelings, thoughts, ideas and gently propel him or her into reflection on situations, people, animals and things with which we share this earth. This book is for men and women of all years and nations who share one of the most satisfactory earthly relationships in their love for literature and the arts in a world of beauty, crudity, absurdity, compassion and cruelty.

• Black Bread and Tea (Poems) by Archangel Books. (1978)

• TEA WITH MISS STOCKPORT: 24 POEMS (ABELARD POETS) by Martin Seymour-Smith. (1963)

• Faith Tea and Other Poems by Pauline Kirk, published by Church of St. Edward the Confessor. (2006)

• Tall tales for tea: A hand made creation of story poems by Orie Vance Garletts. (1969)

• Coffee, Tea or Me (Serving With Pride) & Inspirations from the Soul (Poems from the Heart by Veronica R. Edmiston. (2003)
Book Description
Ronnie is a woman serving her country and trying to find the American dream. She is enlisted and trying to find the right paths to successfulness within the depths of the Army. She is dedicated to the service but is looking for love in all the wrong places. She is finding new friends and sharing hardships in both her military and personal life. She is finding it hard to be in a man’s world nevertheless working through the stereotypes. She strives to be the best mother and wife that she can be. She must make a hard decision to stay in or get out to raise her family. Will the love she found be enough to sustain her military career and marriage?
The poetry is poems that she had written from the heart as inspiration to herself and others during times of happiness and sadness. This is Ronnie’s story from the beginning of her service days to where she is today proudly serving her country.

• The Devil's Tea-Table And Other Poems (1898) by Lu B. Cake. (2007)

CHILDREN'S TEA STORIES/BOOKS

• Ruby's Tea for Two (Max and Ruby) by Rosemary Wells. (2003 - Baby-Preschool)
Book Description
Everybody loves Max and Ruby-and what toddler could resist these adorable shaped board books? Cut in the shape of Rosemary Wells's beloved bunny siblings and filled with simple text and colorful illustrations on every page, these two books are guaranteed to delight the very youngest Max and Ruby fans, who can now follow the bunnies' adventures on daily television.

• Come to My Tea Party: Kindness and Friendship for Young Ladies (Sandy's Tea Society) by Sandy Lynam Clough. (2002 - Ages 4-8)
Book Description
Serve up some teatime fun to the sweet little girl in your life by introducing her to the encouraging world of tea parties. With a wonderful story embracing the gifts of faith, hope, love, and joy, young ladies ages 49 will discover exciting opportunities to celebrate rainy days, new friends, big sisters, and that very special motherdaughter relationship.

• Tangerines and Tea, My Grandparents and Me: An Alphabet Book by Ona Gritz with Yumi Heo (illus). (2005 - Ages 9-12)
Book Description
With heartwarming illustrations and fun rhymes, this alphabet book is perfect for grandchildren and grandparents alike!
Visiting grandparents is always an adventure, whether rooting through drawers, playing pretend, or relaxing and reading together in a comfortable chair. Join two boisterous siblings as they leave home to be guests on their grandparents' farm during different seasons of the year. Providing fun rhymes like "the songs we sing while we sit on the swing," and "an oak tree to climb one limb at a time," both adults and children will have fun singing and reading along together, as they learn the alphabet!
Yumi Heo's whimsical illustrations provide the perfect complement to the rhythm of Ona Gritz's jubilant ABC text. Grandchildren of all ages will recognize themselves in this book's appreciative look at the warmth and happiness that grandparents provide.

• Tea for Ten by Lena Anderson (illus) and Elisabeth Kallick Dyssegaard (translator).
Amazon.com
Lonely little Hedgehog sits at her kitchen table in a pink dress with prickles poking out here and there, ready for company.
It would be awfully nice,
it would be a lot of fun,
if her friends stopped by.
Then she wouldn't be just
ONE.
Luckily Hedgehog doesn't have long to wait. Pretty soon, Uncle Will shows up and makes TWO. Then along comes Elephant: "Count me, then we'll be THREE." One by one, her good friend Duck, a sad little teddy bear, a zealously leaping frog, an exuberant pig, a tip-toeing baby in a puppy-ear hat, Alexandersson the Brazilian monkey, and a small black cat bring the tea party total to 10. The motley crew, with their charmingly mismatched teacups and assorted accoutrements (Elephant carries a pacifier on a ribbon, Alexandersson brings his own banana), once assembled, wave bye-bye to the reader and take off for the movies.

• Tea for Me, Tea for You by Laura Rader (illus). (2003 - Ages 4-8)
Book Description
What begins as a very simple tea for one little pig in elegant Swinings Tea Room quickly becomes a party of two ... then three ... and more and more! With her bouncy rhymes and bright, energetic illustrations, Laura Rader invites readers on a hilarious romp of a tea party that will have children squealing with delight!

• EGGS FOR TEA (Little Monsters) by Jan Pienkowski. (1990 - Ages 4-8)
From School Library Journal
PreSchool-K-- Pienkowski has channeled his considerable talents into a pair of deceptively simple-looking addition and subtraction books. Slender in format and plot, both titles feature animated inky splotches dressed up as silly monsters. Eggs for Tea features a simple subtraction theme. A monster spies six brown eggs in a carton. Each egg is subsequently gobbled by a passing creature. When a fight ensues over the last egg, the smallest member swipes and eats it. Not quite so engaging a story line as the second title, it more clearly exemplifies the math principle. In Pet Food , the monsters' pet hasn't had his supper yet, so each of them gives it food. Each item is visually apparent and countable in the body of the crocodilelike creature. The pet fends for itself for breakfast, as he eats a hat, bat, coat, boat, and ball. Pretty soon it's dinner time, and the last picture is the crocodile chasing its owners. The sing-song text is lively and, although the plot resembles The Greedy Python (Picture Book Studio, 1985; o.p.) by Richard Buckley, it's still a winner. --Karen K. Radtke, Milwaukee Public Library

• Tea for Two (Paddywhack Lane) by Bob Fuller. (2007 - Ages 4-8)
Book Description
Lauren and Courtney are having trouble sharing, so they divide their room in half and split their toys—Lauren takes the brushes and Courtney takes the paints; Lauren takes the stools and Courtney takes the table—all so they won’t have to share! But the sisters soon realize that it isn’t fun to play alone. Come share a cup of tea with two sisters as they learn that in order “to live life to the fullest, share every last drop of it with your friends!”

• Marvin Composes a Tea: And Other Humorous Stories by Inc. Highlights for Children with Judith Hunt and Carlos Garzon (illustrators). (1992 - Ages 9-12)

• ROSE BUNNY'S TEATIME (Tea Bunnies Shaped Board Books) by Linda Karl. (1994 - Baby-Preschool)

• DAISY BUNNY'S TEATIME (Tea Bunnies Board Books) by Linda Karl. (1994 - Baby-Preschool)

• TULIP BUNNY'S TEATIME (Tea Bunnies Shaped Board Books) by Linda Karl. (1994 - Baby-Preschool)

• VIOLET BUNNY'S TEATIME (Tea Bunnies Shaped Board Books) by Linda Karl. (1994 - Baby-Preschool)

• Tea Y Tomi Se Van De Paseo/Tea and Tomi Go for a Walk by Ian Beck. (2000 - Baby-Preschool) (bilingual)

• Tea for Ruby by Sarah The Duchess of York Ferguson with Robin Preiss Glasser (illus). (September 2008 - Ages 4-8)
Book Description
That Ruby! Wherever she goes, table cloths accidentally pull dishes to the floor, flowers get trampled and spaghetti somehow end up in her hair. You can't take Ruby anywhere! One sunny morning, the postman brings Ruby an amazing invitation to have tea with -- the Queen! Ruby had better polish her manners and quickly. Will Ruby really be ready in time?
Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York, and Robin Preiss Glasser know a thing or two about the importance of manners and poise and being ladylike. In Tea For Ruby, they have created the irrepressible Ruby, whose antics and foibles with touch readers' hearts as she tries her very best to do things correctly. In the end, she knows she is loved for who she is, and that she will always be a princess, royal or not!


TOYS AND GAMES:

• Fisher-Price Musical Tea Set by Fisher-Price.
Product Features
Turn an ordinary lunch into an elegant event with sandwich cut-outs, lacy placemats, and pretty place cards
The Musical Tea Set features "tip me over" ... and hear magic pouring sounds
Includes four cups, saucers and spoons, creamer, sugar bowl with lid, PLUS everything fits on tray for serving
Preschool Classics Musical Tea Set
Editorial Review
Every child should have a tea set somewhere in the toy box, not just for feeding favorite dollies and teddies, but also for practicing tea-party manners before a special party or dinner. This molded plastic set is made with the thoughtful design and extra-durable materials of most Fisher-Price toys, with the added bonus of a jolly musical teapot. It plays "I'm a Little Teapot" when the top of the lid is pressed, and also provides a "magical" chiming noise when the pot is poured (requires two button-cell batteries; included). The set includes four teacups in pastel shades, matching saucers, a sugar bowl, a creamer, and four white spoons. Everything fits onto a sturdy lavender tray with large handles and a built-in stand for the teapot. --Marcie Bovetz

• Evenflo ExerSaucer® 1-2-3 Tea for Me - Tea Party by Evenflo.
Product Description
The Evenflo Exersaucer Mega provides innovation to make travel and storage easy with the SmartFold legs folding 40% smaller than non-folding models. Helps baby achieve 10 developmental milestones (gross motor skills, fine motor skills, object exploration, cause/effect learning, self-awareness, tactile development, visual development, object permanence, hand-eye coordination and musical development). The Evenflo ExerSaucer Mega features 9 age appropriate toys designed to provide a variety of developmental functions and keep baby's interest. 12 songs and sounds with flashing lights to allow for musical development and visual stimulation for baby Baby can rock, spin, or bounce to help develop neck, back and leg muscles and improve gross motor skills Landscaped tray surrounds child to bring toys closer 3-position height adjustment and 3 flip-down feet for stationary position Seat locks in 6 different positions Removable, washable pad For infants 4 months to walking age with a 30" maximum height.

• Schylling Summer Bug Tin Tea Set by Schylling.
Product Description
A retro classic! This Children's Summer Bugs Tin Tea Set from Schylling is made of tin and is great for little hands. Charming butterflies and dragonflies in vivid colors are painted on each piece for dainty garden parties. This 15 piece set includes four plates, four cups and saucers, a teapot, lid and serving tray. For ages 3 years and above.

• My Little Pony Ponyville Teapot Palace Playset by Hasbro.
Product Features
Teapot Palace will transport little girls into a fanciful world of ponies, dancing, and tea
Ponies can "dance" on spinning, light-up dance floor
Palace also has windows, fireplace, piano, and more
Teapot comes with 2 teacups and saucers and two dessert plates for full tea-time experience
It's a tea party adventure for all of your pony friends to share!
Amazon.com Product Description
Tea parties have never been so fun as they are with the Hasbro My Little Pony Ponyville Teapot Palace Playset! Recommended for children 4 to 8 years of age, the Teapot Palace will transport your little girl into a fanciful world of ponies and tea. With three floors of fun, it will enchant your little girl as she watches the pony guests turn teatime into the ultimate dancing party.

• Butterfly Teaset Basket by Schylling.
Product Features
This great Porcelain tea set has all you need
Set includes: plates, cups, and silverware for 4, Tea Pot with lid, sugar bowl with lid, creamer, 4 napkins and a tablecloth
Features little pink butterflies on the plates and cups for decoration
Product Description
It's tea time! This charming tea set is decorated with pretty pink colors and a whimsical butterfly design. With 30 pieces packed together in an adorable carry-along basket, this lovely set is perfect for afternoon tea. Mini teacups each measure 1" tall.

• Disney Princess Tea Time With Me Little Belle by PlayMates.
Product Features
The Disney Little Princesses were sweet young girls who loved to do the things that all little girls like to do!
New! Now little girls can have a tea party with Little Princess Belle and her friends, Mrs. Potts and Chip!
15-Inch Tea Time With Me Little Belle is an interactive doll that can "have Tea" with little girls, converse, and sing a song by responding to the little girl's actions.
She responds to you!
Invite all your friends!
Amazon.com Product Description
Before she was fully grown and swept away by a handsome beast, Belle was a sweet young girl who probably loved to do the same things that all little girls enjoy. Now your little princess can have a tea party with Little Princess Belle and her friends, Mrs. Potts and Chip. The 15-inch-tall Belle is interactive, so as you "pour" tea from Mrs. Potts into your Chip cup, Belle will ask to have some as well. And then she’ll use a few of her seven phrases to tell you how she prefers her tea prepared. When you lift your cup (pinky out!) to slowly sip your tea, Belle will magically raise her cup and drink, too. Before you know it, you’ll be laughing and singing -- because Belle has a special tea time song that she shares with her friends. The 11-piece tea set includes a cup for Belle, sugar cubes, a spoon, and more.

• Children's Tea Set by Schylling.
Product Features
This children's tea set is very old fashioned. Just like Grandma used to play with!
Each cup is a different color, as well as the cream and sugar and the teapot.
This 13 piece porcelain set includes 4 cups, 4 saucers, a teapot with a lid, a sugar bowl with a lid, and a creamer.
This set is a little bigger than some, and the tea cups measure 1 1/4" tall.
May really be used for drinking liquids!
Product Description
13 piece porcelain tea set. Ages: 8 And Up

• eeBoo Tea Party Game by eeBoo.
Product Description
Time for Tea! Spin for a plate and napkin first. Then some tea to quench your thirst. Mind your manners if you please, but lose a turn if you see bees! Ta-ta for now, I have to run - I finished first and I have won! Develops decision-making and categorization skills. A Delicious Game for 2 to 4 Players.

• LC Creations Tea Party Bookcase by LC Creations.
Product Features
Made of high-quality MDF ( medium density fiber )
Handcrafted and hand-painted
Measures 30 by 12 by 41 inches
Exclusively Licensed product by LC Creations
It is both a functional piece for your child's room and a fabulous work of art
Product Description
Almost too cute to cover up, this dollhouse bookcase is perfect for any little girl. Inspired by renowned children's artist Michal Sparks, the Tea Party collection will be the highlight of any little girl's room. Bright colors and fun patterns create a wonderful whimsy guaranteed to delight everyone. Recommended for children ages 2-6. Clean with soft damp cloth. Dade of high quality MDF (medium density fiber), bookshelf measures 30 by 12 by 41 inches. Some assembly required.

• Ladybug Tea Set Basket by Schylling.
Product Description
It's time for a tea party! The Lady Bug Tea Set provides a perfect basket of all the necessary equipment for your child's very own tea party! This full-service set includes napkins and tablecloths along with settings for four, all porcelain and decorated with the signature ladybug. Even the utensils are packed inside. What a lovely way to entertain with little friends! Recommended age: 8&up Cups measure 1 1/4" in height.

• Playskool Rose Petal Cottage Sip & Celebrate Tea Set by Hasbro.
Product Description
Your little girl will love sipping pretend tea and snacking on the yummiest make-believe cake ever! She'll charm all her guests - real or stuffed! - with this adorable set that's got just what she needs to throw a lovely tea party that's sure to be the talk of the town! And sparkling tea bags add just the right, magical touch for a get-together that fits her to a "tea'! Set includes 4 teacups and saucers, teapot with lid, 4 sparkling fabric tea bags, 4 pieces of fabric cake and 4 spoons.

• Schylling Curious George Tin Tea Set by Schylling.
Product Description
Sit down to have a spot of tea with everyone's favorite spunky monkey, Curious George. Inspired by the loveable and mischievous George, this 15-piece tin tea set is sure to delight kids and make tea time extra special. Includes service for four and a serving tray. Packaged in a window box. Tea cup measures 1.8" tall.

• Children's Tin Tea Set in a Case by Schylling.
Product Description
Girls will want to have tea time all the time with this beautiful tea set that's made for on-the-go fun. Set contains 15 tin pieces with a colorful, delightful design. Everything comes in a beautiful carrying case. Set consists of four teacups and saucers, four serving plates, tea pot and serving tray.

• Girl's Deluxe Toy Tin Tea Set with Pink Beauty Wicker Case by Pretend Play.
Product Description
This deluxe version of the popular toy Tin Tea Set also includes a beautiful pink wicker basket, perfect for easy storage! What makes this set even more special: it also includes utensils! 15 piece set includes 4 plates, 4 cups, 4 saucers, teapot with lid and a serving tray, as well as the pink wicker case. This tin tea set is very old fashioned. Just like Grandma used to play with! The plates are about 3.5" in diameter and the saucers about 2". You might consider them small (after all, you are an adult) but they are actually the perfect size for a little girl. AND best of all: you don't have to worry about breaking them into little pieces! Great and fun gift idea!

• Strawberry Shortcake™ Tea Party DVD Board Game by Snap TV.
Product Description
Join Strawberry Shortcake and her berry special friends as you play games on your TV, collect scrumptious cookies, tasty cakes and tantalizing treats to bring to the tea party. Includes: dvd with six types of games, 30 collectible treat disks, four player pawns, four treat baskets and a game die. For 2 to 4 players.

• Learning Resources Pretend and Play Dish Set by Learning Resources.
Product Description
Ideal for pretend tea parties or make-believe meals, this colorful set is a necessity for imaginative preschoolers. It includes four place settings with plates, cups, saucers, knives, spoons and forks. Set is made of durable plastic. Each plate has a 51" diameter. Dish and cup set is intended for pretend and play purposes only.

• Kids’ Silver Tea Set by Schylling.
Product Description
Spice up any afternoon tea party with this elegant, child-sized silver tea service set. The 5-piece silver set includes a tea pot with hinged lid, sugar bowl with lid, creamer and etched serving tray. Tea pot measures 5.25" tall.

• Children's Luxury Full-Service Porcelain Tea Party Set in Wicker Carry Case *Perfect Gift Idea for Children, Girls, Boys, Birthday, Holiday, etc.* by Porcelain Tea Service.
Product Description
Children's Luxury 21-piece Porcelain Tea Party Set in Wicker Carry Case (wicker carry case measures 12" x 8" x 4.5"). The case is very nice for keeping everything all safe and tidy when. Present your loved ones with the ultimate cup of tea! This wonderful 21-piece set is packed inside a fancy wicker carry case. Includes 8 ounce tea pot, four cups with matching saucers, four spoons, sugar pot with lid, creamer and four napkins. Actual tea is not included. Our exclusive pattern with flowers & strawberries decorates each set. Dishwasher safe.

(This web page updated 8/9/03; 4/22/08)