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Arianna and the Strawberry Tea
When Arianna and her stuffed bear arrive at the elegant Grand Hotel, where children are not allowed, the looks of horror that greet them gradually change to appreciation.
- GenresPicture Books
32 pages, Hardcover
First published December 1, 1998
About the author
Maria Faulconer
2 books14 followersWhen Maria saw the photograph of a baby gorilla nestled in the arms of his adoptive mom, she was captivated by the sheer joy on their faces. An adoptive mom herself, Maria knew she had to write a story about this resilient gorilla, and A Mom for Umande was born.
Maria's love for books began at her Austrian mother's knee while listening to Grimm's fairy tales. Growing up in San Francisco, she wrote poems and stories but never dreamed she could be a writer.
Instead, after receiving a BA from Stanford University and an MA in Guidance and Counseling from the University of Colorado, she took a different career path, teaching high school English and counseling emotionally disturbed teens.
One day, she wrote and sold a story about a gymnast whose goal was to compete in the Olympics. She was hooked.
Since then, she's been published in magazines, journals, newspapers and anthologies for children and adults.
Her first children's book Arianna and the Strawberry Tea, was promoted on national morning talk show, named a shelf talker for Barnes and Noble and selected for a state-wide literacy program.
A Mom for Umande has received numerous accolades, including a starred review in Kirkus, and mention in the New York Times and USA Today.
Maria loves cooking, prowling coffee houses and bookstores, and roaming the world - from the moors of Yorkshire to the crooked streets of San Francisco, always looking for more stories.
She lives in Colorado with her husband and two children.
Maria's love for books began at her Austrian mother's knee while listening to Grimm's fairy tales. Growing up in San Francisco, she wrote poems and stories but never dreamed she could be a writer.
Instead, after receiving a BA from Stanford University and an MA in Guidance and Counseling from the University of Colorado, she took a different career path, teaching high school English and counseling emotionally disturbed teens.
One day, she wrote and sold a story about a gymnast whose goal was to compete in the Olympics. She was hooked.
Since then, she's been published in magazines, journals, newspapers and anthologies for children and adults.
Her first children's book Arianna and the Strawberry Tea, was promoted on national morning talk show, named a shelf talker for Barnes and Noble and selected for a state-wide literacy program.
A Mom for Umande has received numerous accolades, including a starred review in Kirkus, and mention in the New York Times and USA Today.
Maria loves cooking, prowling coffee houses and bookstores, and roaming the world - from the moors of Yorkshire to the crooked streets of San Francisco, always looking for more stories.
She lives in Colorado with her husband and two children.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
December 19, 2014
A delightful little book about the innocence and ... of a little girl and her little bear. The author gives life to the story by showing us what the adult world looks like through the eyes of a child.
Arianna and her family arrive in front of their hotel in the middle of a flurry of snow. Arianna and her little bear, Monsieur Le Bear, assumes that the set of doors right next to her is where she needs to go. And this is where her little adventure begins!
For many years, this hotel has served many people, including kings, but, they have never had any children. Especially one with a bear.
Arianna speaks to the doorman, he doesn't respond.
She enters the lobby and leaves puddles on the floor and then walks barefoot on the plush carpet. The maids stared in wonder and curtsied, perhaps thinking she's a princess.
Arianna then ends up in the hotel's restaurant and is ignored until she drops her napkin and comes face-to-face with one of the waiters. She then orders a pot of strawberry tea and chocolate tarts. The grand people sitting in the restaurant overhear the wonderful request and begin ordering the same thing.
Arianna doesn't seem to notice that her presence in the no children allowed hotel is causing quite a disturbance. After all, she's just a child exploring and being herself. Like any other child would behave.
Soon enough, Arianna's parents finally catch up to her and explain what has happened, and what she has done. However, with a sweet turn of events, the fun continues on! And everyone couldn't be happier!
The illustrations look like the picture books I used to read when I was a little girl - bright colorful sketches that can be quite regal but humorous too! A lot of the characters remind me of those that I would have found in Amelia Bedelia stories; like a classic.
The sweetest book for the avid little reader in your life!
*I received this book as a gift from the author. This does not affect my review. All thoughts are my own.
Arianna and her family arrive in front of their hotel in the middle of a flurry of snow. Arianna and her little bear, Monsieur Le Bear, assumes that the set of doors right next to her is where she needs to go. And this is where her little adventure begins!
For many years, this hotel has served many people, including kings, but, they have never had any children. Especially one with a bear.
Arianna speaks to the doorman, he doesn't respond.
She enters the lobby and leaves puddles on the floor and then walks barefoot on the plush carpet. The maids stared in wonder and curtsied, perhaps thinking she's a princess.
Arianna then ends up in the hotel's restaurant and is ignored until she drops her napkin and comes face-to-face with one of the waiters. She then orders a pot of strawberry tea and chocolate tarts. The grand people sitting in the restaurant overhear the wonderful request and begin ordering the same thing.
Arianna doesn't seem to notice that her presence in the no children allowed hotel is causing quite a disturbance. After all, she's just a child exploring and being herself. Like any other child would behave.
Soon enough, Arianna's parents finally catch up to her and explain what has happened, and what she has done. However, with a sweet turn of events, the fun continues on! And everyone couldn't be happier!
The illustrations look like the picture books I used to read when I was a little girl - bright colorful sketches that can be quite regal but humorous too! A lot of the characters remind me of those that I would have found in Amelia Bedelia stories; like a classic.
The sweetest book for the avid little reader in your life!
*I received this book as a gift from the author. This does not affect my review. All thoughts are my own.
February 11, 2020
One of my absolute favorites as a kid, except my dad would read it as “Liana and the Strawberry tea.” It always made me want strawberry tea and chocolate tarts.
December 6, 2016
A little girl stumbles into a hotel and sits down to tea with her Bear. Her presence and request of strawberry tea and tarts changes those around her. Cute but length makes it one on one or preschool.
March 21, 2014
This was one of my favorite books when I was a little kid :)
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews