Saturday, April 3, 2010

Tea and Books Saturday #14 - "Tea with Victoria Rose"


Tea with Victoria Rose
By Susan Wheeler, Text by Paul Kortepeter
Harvest House Publishers, 2001


Several years ago my friend Bonnie surprised me with a gift of several tea books, including the delightful "Tea with Victoria Rose." For Easter weekend, I thought what could be more perfect than a book narrated by the tea-loving bunny Victoria Rose Boxwood!

Susan Wheeler's artwork was already familiar to me, having both given and received gifts of her sweet, whimsical pieces featuring teawares. (One of my all-time favorite stationery gifts was a small magnet-backed cardboard "cupboard" filled with teawares, and mounted on the bottom half of the cupboard was a small pad of notepaper. Perhaps some of you have had the same piece? I was so pleased that this particular artwork is reproduced here!) This book brings the same delight as Susan Wheeler's lovely stationery, only in a more permanent and even more enjoyable form. Victoria Rose loves to entertain, and she includes advice on everything from planning a tea party and etiquette tips to musical selections and recipes. I had never hankered to have a "Croquet Tea" before until I read of the one hosted by this charming rabbit!

The artwork alone is reason enough to seek out this charming book, but the text is quite useful as well. I especially liked when Victoria Rose told how one day, she determined to learn "all there was to know about tea," then realized that "the more I discovered about tea, the more I found there was to discover." I so agree! And those who enjoy advice columns in the newspaper will enjoy the Holly Pond Hill Gazette where one Primrose Lapin opines on everything from the use of teabags (she's opposed) to the idea of adding lemon to green tea (in a word: don't). Reading this sweet book each year may become a new Easter tradition for me!

11 comments:

  1. Oh what an adorable book!

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  2. That's a very cute book! Happy Easter!

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  3. I have this cute book, but hadn't thought of it as a "bunny book" to display with my other children's Easter books. You are always coming up with fun ideas!

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  4. What a cute book to display for Spring!! Very cute!

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  5. Years ahead I sold the book with a darling child's teaset...why do they always do away with great things! I love this little book - perfect for Eastertime!

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  6. How adorable,I spend time in fort walton beach florida
    with far flung relatives every year ,but can never get a decent cup of tea!!
    susanxxx

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  7. Now I need to check my tea shelf. I actually think I have this one. Love the artwork.

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  8. Looks like a great book, Angela.
    Hope you and your family have a nice Easter,
    Joanie

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  9. OK, I'm on the lookout even tho I'm downsizing my books!

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  10. how cute!my daughter's name is Viktoria Rose!

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