The Tea Party in the Woods

When her father forgets the pie he is meant to take to her grandmother's house, young Kikko sets off through the snowy forest after him. Thinking she sees him in the distance, she follows along, only to discover that it is a bear she has been trailing, and that he has led her to a strange, magical house in the middle of the woods, where a group of animal friends is having tea. After being invited to join them, Kikko shares her trouble - she has dropped the pie and ruined it - and the animals all pitch in to replace the damaged pastry, eventually escorting her to her grandmother's house...

Originally published in Japan in 2010, and translated into English in 2015, The Tea Party in the Woods is a lovely picture-book, one which pairs a show more gentle and appealing story of winter-time woodland magic with absolutely beautiful artwork. Akiko Miyakoshi's book has a contemporary, yet somehow also timeless feeling to it, and seems to be an exploration of some classic fairy-tale themes, from the child lost in the wood to the helpful animal companions. I thought of Little Red Riding Hood and Snow White, but those are Western tales, and it is entirely possible Miyakoshi was referencing Japanese lore of which I am ignorant. It is also possible there are no deliberate story references at all, although the echoes for this reader (whether intentional or no) were most welcome. Recommended to readers looking for magical children's stories about the woods in winter, as well as to those interested in Japanese picture-books. I will definitely be tracking down more of Miyakoshi's work! show less

This is a quiet, lovely story about a girl who, on the way to bring a pie to her grandmother, stumbles upon a magical gathering in the woods. The story is enchanting, and the mostly-black-and-white illustrations are soft and cozy, like a big woolly blanket.

Anyone who knows me knows I am a sucker for talking animals wearing clothing. And animals having a tea party? Even better. Add snow and you've got the perfect recipe for a picture book.

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley.

There is something about walking through the woods that goes along with stories. Like tea and crumpets, cookies and milk or peanut butter and jam. This gentle story has a few unexpected twists and turns that keep the pages turning. The book can be enjoyed for its delightful surprises and re-read for its kid appeal. Who wouldn’t want to attend a tea party in the woods?
Kikko, a likeable main character, wants to deliver a pie to her grandmother’s house. Simple idea, but when her father leaves in advance, all she has to go on are some footprints in the snow and a figure in the distance. The story has a dreamlike quality with an appreciation of bravery and independence. The black and white illustrations with splashes of colour are show more delightful and different. Reminiscent of Little Red Riding Hood, it is full of fun, friendship, encouragement, and whimsy. A sure hit with little people and their significant adults! I’m happy to add this one to my library. show less

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

In a marvelous winter wonderland, Kikko is watching her father leaving for her grandma's house. But, wait! He has forgotten the pie! Grandma loves pies! So, Kikko decides to follow her dad, the delicious pie at hand. Curiosity and misunderstanding (and quite a few footsteps on the snow...) lead her to a beautiful estate where a tea party is taking place. However, this party is definitely unexpected and unique…

My first experience with Miyakoshi's beautiful work was The Piano Recital. In The Party In The Woods, she creates the story of a brave girl and the bond between the human and the animal kingdom that brings to mind our most favourite fairy show more tales, like Red Riding Hood, Alice In Wonderland, and the musical suite Le Carnaval des Animaux by Camille Saint-Saëns. A marvelous read to accompany the last days of winter.

My reviews can also be found on https://theopinionatedreaderblog.wordpress.com/ show less

So magical this story! I love the ones where you slip from everyday problems into magical respite without even realizing it.

A girl in a red skirt carries a pie through the woods to her grandmother's house, but that's where the similarity to Red Riding Hood ends. The girl's father was supposed to take the pie, but forgot it, so she takes it and runs after him. When she sees a figure in a coat, she's nearly caught up - but she trips and falls and smushes the pie. And the figure in the coat turns out to be a well-dressed bear. "Are you here for the tea party?" he asks kindly. The animals welcome Kikko in, and when she tells of the crushed pie for her grandmother, they each contribute a slice of their own to make a whole new mix-and-match pie; then, they follow her through the woods in a happy parade to grandmother's house, where her father and grandmother are show more delighted with the new pie.

Charcoal, pencil, and color ink illustrations spotlight the important characters and items in the story (the girl's yellow hair and red skirt, the slices of pie, the animals' clothing. show less

This is a really neat picture book—I especially like the use of color in the drawings. The story is cute, about a girl who follows her father though the woods to bring her grandma a pie that her dad forgot, though the cute part comes after that (and is more fun to discover for yourself, so no spoilers here).