Tea, anyone? Today’s Perfect Picture Book Friday book features a persnickety queen, a tour through several cultures with a tea tradition, and some great themes for kids.
Title: How the Queen Found the Perfect Cup of Tea 
Written by: Kate Hosford
Illustrated by: Gabi Swiatkowska
Carolrhoda Books, 2017
Suitable for ages: 4-8 years
Lexile: AD580L
Themes/topics: service, tea, attitude
Opening:
Every morning when the Queen woke up, two maids dressed her, two more styled her hair, and the butler made her tea. Each day, she sipped her tea alone. And each day, her tea started to taste a bit worse. Finally, she could stand it no longer.
Brief synopsis (from barnesandnoble.com)
Each day when the Queen wakes up, three maids dress her, two more style her hair, and her butler James makes her tea. But when she grows dissatisfied with her brew, the Queen and James set out in search of the perfect cup. With each stop on their hot-air balloon journey, the Queen encounters new friends who expand her horizons—in the kitchen and beyond.
Activities and Resources:
-Have tea, of course! Try the methods detailed in the book.
-Have a tea party. Create a menu and invitations.
-Kids Gardening: Grow Your Own Herbal Tea lesson plan
-Read Queen Victoria’s Bathing Machine by Gloria Whelan. Compare and contrast the two queen characters.
Why I like this book:
This is a wonderful story about attitude – the queen gradually discovers that helping, service to others, and the company you keep brings happiness and makes everything “taste” better. It’s also about the joy in being capable and self-sufficient. What great themes for kids! The book also introduces several different cultural traditions and their methods of brewing tea. With such a universal as tea, it’s a great opportunity to explore teas from around the world.
To view the trailer, visit Mr. Schu’s “Watch Connect Read”
Visit author Susanna Hill’s Perfect Picture Books for a plethora of picture books listed by title and topic/theme, each with teacher/parent activities and resources.
Beth Anderson, Children's Writer 
It’s no fun being queen if you have no friends. And when you’re queen, it feels so good to share the benefits with others. Effective way to get this message across without being didactic. Thanks for highlighting!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh, how cool to see this author and illustrator paired again together!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I like everything about this story — the message and themes, the cultural traditions and the fun illustrations! Will have to pick up a copy.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, helping others and the company we keep does make life taste better. A truly powerful message.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I was drawn to this book when I heard about it and snapped it up when I saw it at our local bookshop in Australia. Our local bookshop has very good taste. It’s a book that totally stands up to re-reading. And when the queen’s crown wobbles, these are lovely touches that kids would love.
LikeLiked by 1 person