The Tea Party in the Woods

“The woods were very still.  And so quiet.  Kikko’s footsteps were the only sound.”

The Tea Part in the Woods by Akiko Miyakoshi

One of my favorite things to do in the winter is grab a good book and cuddle up by the fireplace to read it.  With hot coco, of course, definitely.  I know its not winter, in fact, it is the blazing hot middle of summer.  However, I still enjoy a cozy story every now and then and I am so happy to have discovered this one, for it is definitely cozy and lovely.

It is about a little girl named Kikko who sets off on a journey through the woods to deliver a pie to her grandmother.  Along the way she accidentally drops and ruins her grandmothers pie as she is following footsteps of someone she assumes is her father.  They lead to a strange house and, to Kikko’s utter astonishment, did not belong to her father!  They belonged to a bear!  She is invited inside and her nerves are quickly washed away when she is greeted by the sweetest and most charming host of animals imaginable.  They are all having a proper tea party and she joins in and describes her mission and the problem of her crushed pie.  They all cheerily offer a slice or two of various pies to make a new, whole, hodge-podge pie and help her on her way.

I love how this book starts with a bit of a Little Red Riding Hood twist, but takes a delightful turn as you find that all the animals are the best sort of company.  I love the simple and, again, cozy text.  Lastly, I adore the illustrations!  Throughout most of the book they are all black and white with the only pops of color being red and yellow on the little girl.  The two biggest exceptions are the pie that all the animals contribute and their parade through the woods as she is escorted to her grandmothers.  This is a wonderful story to be enjoyed all year round.

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