How the Queen Found the Perfect Cup of Tea

by Kate Hosford, Gabi Swiatkowska (Illustrator)

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 horizonsin the kitchen and beyond.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Friendship, Tea, Food, Royalty, Geography

40 pages, Hardcover

Published March 1, 2017

About the author

Kate Hosford is the author of six picture books and two poetry collections, garnering awards such as an American Library Association Notable Book, a Bank Street Best Book of the Year, a Junior Library Guild Selection, and a New York Times Best Illustrated Book. Her books have been published in eight languages. She is a graduate of Amherst College and Vermont College of Fine Arts where she earned her MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults. Her most recent picture book, YOU'LL ALWAYS BE MY CHICKADEE was published by Chronicle in April, 2024.

Reviews

[Kaethe · Rating 4 out of 5]

How the Queen Found the Perfect Cup of Tea - Kate Hosford,Gabi Swiatkowska  Minus one star for neither giving the recipes nor the key to comprehend the little pictures. Fortunately, I don't like tea (except iced, I live in the South), so I'm not terribly offended. but really, the whole multi-cultural aspect suffers if you don't take the time to explain how different peoples prepare their tea. Not every kid will care, but the adults who read to them are always excited to find something in a book that they can do together afterwards, and have a tea-party with three different kinds of tea would be ideal.
Library copy
 

[Carla · Rating 3 out of 5]

Each day when the Queen wakes up, her maids dress her and do her hair, and her butler James makes her tea. When she decides that she does not like the tea, she and James head out to find the Perfect Cup of Tea. Each stop on their hot-air balloon ride, she meets up with a child, Norika, Sunil and Rana. They play a game or do an activity together, then make a cup of tea and drink it. She enjoys the tea and the company of the children. Suddenly she tells James to head home because she knows that the perfect cup of tea is made by yourself and shared with friends. The illustrations are nice, some simple with a couple of colours and some large with detail and a lot of colour. The publisher generously provided me with a copy of this book via netgalley.

[Storywraps · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having to get up, be dressed by your maids, have your hair stylist work their magic on you, and every day order your butler to bring you tea can become quite boring and tedious when you are a Queen. Her majesty becomes discontented and very grumpy. She decides she dislikes the taste of her tea. She and James her butler fly off on a world-wide hot air ballon tour in search of the perfect brew to satisfy her disgruntled taste buds.

She visits a child in Japan, one in India and also in Turkey. Each child entices her to engage in the fun activities of their every day life. She snuggles a kitty ("That was rather strenuous"), dribbles a basketball ("Her Majesty does not dribble," James informs the child. "Well then, it's time she tried.") She even takes part in some vigorous energetic dance moves. After each performance the Queen finds herself parched and asks for a cup of tea. The children wholeheartedly respond and lead the fatigued Monarch into their respective kitchens. They then teach her how to make the perfect cup of tea according to their culture.

The Queen learns that the three secrets to making the best cup of tea possible are:

*make the tea yourself
*milk and sugar are optional
* but the most important thing is to share your tea with friends

This simple act of kindness can be enough to start a lifelong friendship and a guarantee that many more cups will be shared together in the future. Happiness is truly a hug in a teacup!

The vintage style illustrations are amusing and humorous. They are coloured-pencil and depict perfectly the evolution of the Queen from an uptight elite to a free-spirited, open-minded, fun-loving aristocrat. I really enjoyed this book, especially the illustrations. It was a very fun read indeed.

[Shiloah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Friendship makes the best cup of tea!

[Dena McMurdie · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book How the Queen Found the Perfect Cup of Tea by Kate Hosford is a unique and creative story about a privileged queen's journey to find the perfect cup of tea. The author takes her readers on a journey to different lands and cultures with beautiful illustrations by Gabi Swiatkowska. I especially loved each child's unique instructions on how to make a cup of tea.

I would have liked to see a few more places the Queen travels on her quest, but I thoroughly enjoyed what the author included. The attention to detail is educational and fun to read.

As you read this cute children's book, you will find out the Queen finds much more than the "perfect" cup of tea! I recommend this book for children ages 4-7.

Source: I received a copy of this book from Blue Slip Media.

(This review was written by Hilary, my associate reviewer.)

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maybe it's just because I love a cup of tea or maybe it's because the illustrations in here were so different and wonderful - I don't know but I LOVED this picture book. It's one I hope to own....all about the story of the queen off to find her perfect cup of tea. She travels to all different countries and sees how they make tea only to find that when she make it herself - that's the perfect cup of tea.

[Viviane Elbee · Rating 5 out of 5]

The kids and I loved this book - great illustrations, good message, and it’s funny!
Would appeal to people looking for books with travel, different cultures, tea time, a queen & friendship.

[Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Are you a tea enthusiast? You'll love this offering from Kate Hosford and Gabi Swiatkowska. And you'll laugh out loud at the evolution of the Queen's hairdo. Brilliant.

[Kim W. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is PRECIOUS!

“I have discovered the secret to the perfect cup of tea,” said the Queen. “First, you must make the tea yourself. Then you must share it with others. Milk and sugar are optional.”

That’s it. I’m in love. This book celebrates community and cultural diversity with n the most delightful way. I love children’s books and this is why.

[Laura N · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Every morning the Queen wakes up, is dressed and has her hair done by a team of servants and is thenn served a cup of tea by her butler, James. Each day, the tea tastes worse and worse until, unable to bear it any longer, the Queen and her loyal butler set off in hot air balloon in search of the perfect cup of tea.
The Queen meets three children on her journey. Each child invites her to do something new and different (like snuggle kittens) and then has her help them make tea. The Queen finally discovers the secret to a perfect cup of tea (you make it yourself and you share it with others) and invites her new friends to the palace for a tea party.
This is such a delightful book! I loved the Queen's journey in a hot air balloon and her realization the the end about what makes cup of tea perfect is so sweet. The illustrations where wonderful; each page was a delight. The Queen has a striking resemblance to Queen Victoria and the abundance of corgis in the background was a fun touch. This is a beautiful story with a sweet message!

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful story of a privileged queen learning to open her heart through interactions with children she meets in her travels around the world. I loved that each child had an interest they wanted to share with the queen (kittens, playing ball, dancing) in addition to showing her how their local tea is made and chatting over a cup or two. The story is a reminder that adults can learn much from children and through travel. Evocative illustrations make greater use of color as the queen becomes more independent and thoughtful toward others. They also give a nice visual recipe for the different ways tea is made.

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

What fun Hosford and Swiatkowska must have had working on this book! It surely feels like they had fun. I'm a huge fan of Gabi Swiatkowska's illustrations, and found the character of the Queen to be delightfully portrayed in words and images that worked perfectly together.

What I love, love, love about this book:
The transformation the queen goes through.
How children from Japan, India, and Turkey share their tea drinking traditions.
That tone of voice you can hear in your head while reading the queen's nose-in-the-air lines!
And of course, the way the words and images create a perfect experience.

[Helen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a Bean Favorite (my granddaughter 😉) perfectly easy read-to for a 3 year old.
A fictional Queen (who as far as I’m concerned bears a big resemblance to Victoria) is dissatisfied with her cup of tea. She and her butler set off in a hot air balloon to find the perfect cuppa. She sets down in many exotic faraway places and what she learns about a truly perfect cup of tea is quite remarkable.
A story of life and friendship. No matter who you are. Or where you live.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story is about the perfect cup of tea. The Queen travels the globe and tries a few different cups of tea with some interesting children and animals she meets along the way. In the end, the Queen shares the recipe for the perfect cup of tea. You need to inference which lands she visits by the ingredients and utensils used to make the tea. Fortunately, more information is given in an afterward. Cute book to share with others.

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

How far away is the perfect cup of tea? The queen goes on a quest to find the perfect cup of tea and learns some things along the way, not the least of which is that being independent can come with its own benefits.

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book so much, it's charming with exquisite drawings and a delightful story.
I can't wait to read this story to my grandkids. They love tea parties and we are studying England next week.
Perfect!

[Michelle Gray · Rating 4 out of 5]

Themes: friendship, tea

[Beverly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting how the Queen's dress's color evolves as she gets acquainted with different teas.

[Fran · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book just made my morning and although I'm enjoying my cup of coffee, I really want a perfect cup of tea.

[Leah · Rating 5 out of 5]

So cute! I love it!!!!

[Rose Rosetree · Rating 5 out of 5]

Is this book supposed to be humorous? Rather than laughing, I must have looked puzzled. Because that's how I felt, all the way through.

The Queen's dialog struck me as shockingly rude. Early on I wondered, isn't a Queen supposed to have good manners? Also, why would I care about anybody who's so snobby about her tea PLUS so rude?

Usually picture books star a loveable hero or heroine. Sometimes there are also one or more villains. I don't expect that villain to be England's Royal Monarch. As for other characters who seem lovable? Heck, they're just underage servants, recruited by Queen; these supplement some creaky staff at the royal palace.

Basically, there's no hero. And the villain is the Queen.

REALLY, QUITE SHOCKING TO THIS ADULT

As the story lurches along, the Queen continues to speak rudely to every single person who helps her with tea. Even when she's satisfied with a brew, what's the best this cranky Queen can tell the tea brewer?

"That was lovely indeed. Thank you ever so much. I must be off now. Ta-ta."

In other words, after she grabs what she wants, she says a stilted thank you. Never does she even manage to smile.

Supposedly the climax of this weird tale is that eventually the Queen announces that she has found the perfect recipe for brewing tea.

AND WHAT IS HER "PERFECT" RECIPE?

Queen announces this to her guests for a tea party:

"First you must make the tea yourself.
Then you mush share it with others.
Milk and sugar are optional."

Huh? And this is supposed to be a "perfect" plot development?

Never once, through all the illustrations, does the Queen manage a genuine smile. Not once -- geesh!

Okay, FIVE STARS for this fictional exercise.
Just in case Anti-Royalists like it.

[Jennifer · Rating 2 out of 5]

Nice concept, poor execution. This book was trying to do too much and therefore none of it was done particularly well. It's too text-heavy for the target audience (kids 6 and under) to really get the message. The queen is spoiled and gets tired of her daily tea so she goes off in search of something better. She's pretty rude to the kids she meets, but somehow at the end has learned her lesson. Hmm. This might be used with kids 6+ to discuss manners, but there are definitely better books out there for that!

[Austyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was cute enough, but felt seriously dated. I was surprised this one waa written as recently as 2017, because it felt like a book written a decade before. The art style is also distractingly similar to that of a Trader Joes.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of my favorite things to do is to enjoy a lovely cup of tea. I originally requested to read this because of my love for tea and I am so happy that I did. I personally find Gabi Swiatkowska's illustrations within this picture book to be slightly creepy, but that is personally preference and not necessarily a deal breaker on the book. Upon first reading you meet a spoiled Queen that everyone bends over backwards for; from doing her hair, dressing her up, and even making her a pot of tea. But this tea is no longer good to the Queen so she goes abroad in her hot air balloon with her butler James in pursuit of the perfect cup of tea. I was pleasantly surprised to find the Queen landing in different places around the world, experiencing new things and trying different ways of making tea. She not only learned to do things on her own, but she enjoyed the company of the children that she meets along the way. The lesson learned, that tea is enjoyed much more with others, really made me smile. The whole story made me smile, from the repetitiveness in the words, to meeting the different children, playing with them and enjoying time with them. This story may not jump out for children to grab, however, I do feel this is a fun and unique story to be shared.

[Ronda · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really want to like this book, but based on the NetGalley ARC, I am a bit on the fence. First, as an eBook, the NetGalley version simply did not play well with my Android device. I was, however, able to get it to work on my computer. I liked many of the story elements-the adjectives and adverbs that accompanied each new tea venture, how each new friend was not overawed by the Queen, but, instead, announced that it was time she snuggled, dribbled, or danced (after she had poor James announce that the Queen did not do any of those things). That said, I was not compelled by the illustrations. Many of them felt unfinished and the style was not a personal favorite. That said, I can see using this story in a story time setting (knowing that I may well have to explain that, no the dogs are not floating in the air, that it is just the style of the illustrator). The Queen learns a valuable lesson, and I found myself wanting to learn more about tea customs around the world. Great author's note included.

[Allie R · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this story, the queen is on a quest to find the perfect cup of tea. As she travels around the world in search of the perfect cup of tea, she not only learns different ways to make tea, but she learns to appreciate different parts of various cultures. She makes tea with Norika, dances with Rana and dribbles with Sunil. When the queen returns home she realizes that the best cups of tea are the cups you make yourself to share with others.
Illustrated by Polish illustrator Gabi Swiakowka, the story is full of life and energy with the colors and facial expressions of the characters. I listed to the e-book version of this story through epic! books. The site offered the chance to read the story in my head, but offered the support of a pronunciation guide for each word.

[Sophia Igarta · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book focuses on the changed perspective of a once snooty, close-minded queen. However, through exploration and kindness, her attitude changes and she starts to reflect the kindness she received. To use in the classroom, I would have students discuss how each child changed her perspective on tea and on people. What are changes that you notice on her journey? What does she do when she returns to her palace that reflect this change?
The illustrations in this book are done in pencil, with light use of color besides in full-page bleeds where there is full color. Additionally, at the beginning of the book, there is more grey/black in the illustrations. This reflects the queens distaste for her life, and as she changes the colors slowly change to become brighter and more vibrant.

[Vicky · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story about learning to do things for yourself, and the satisfaction that goes with it, was clear but not preachy. We go along with the queen as she discovers this for herself—we are not beaten over the head with the message. The illustrations are vivid and have lots of things to interest a child. They remind me a lot of Maurice Sendak’s work.

Possible Objectionable Material:
Can’t think of anything.

Who Might Like This Book:
Kids who are becoming more independent, and parents who want to help them on that journey.

Thank you, NetGalley, for the ARC. This book also reviewed at http://biblioquacious.blogspot.com/20...

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

This delightful children’s book by Kate Hosford is charmingly illustrated by Gabi Swiatkowska. Day after day the queen drinks her tea but enjoys it less and less. She decides to embark on a journey to find the perfect cup of tea. After traveling to Japan, India and Turkey, she indeed makes several discoveries about the perfect cup of tea. You’ll have to read the book for yourself to find out what the queen learned! A brief history of tea is given following the story. I loved this book and would have given it five stars except the countries the queen visits are not mentioned in the story.

[Debbie Tanner · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a funny kind of a story about a snobby queen who is dissatisfied with the tea. She sets out with her butler to find the perfect cup of tea. She finds three kids in different parts of the world, who in addition to teaching her to snuggle with kittens, dribble a soccer ball, and dance, teach her how to make three different kinds of tea. It has a nice ending and think this would be a fun addition to our books on "how to" as well as comparing the different kinds of tea.