What’s
the best way to launch a new children’s book set in WWII England and on the
ship the Queen Mary? With a British-themed Tea Party, of course!
To
celebrate the release of the new historical fiction picture book WELCOME TO
AMERICA, CHAMP! (beautifully illustrated by Doris Ettlinger) friends and family
joined together for tea sandwiches, scones, fruits and sweets catered by The
Madhatter’s Tea Shop. And British tea,
of course!
Professional
Storyteller Veronica Gard (known as “Your English Storyteller”) offered a
lovely and lilting tale, relating the family stories that inspired the new
picture book. Ms. Gard, who was born in
England during WWII, also taught me the proper way to make tea in my
grandmother’s heirloom teapot. And it
does make a delicious difference!
Souvenirs
from the Queen Mary gift shops – including a Queen Mary Captain Teddy Bear and
boxes of Queen Mary tea and postcards – decorated tables, cabinets and
counters.
For
children, there was a tea set designed for bubble-blowing spread on a
child-sized outdoor table, and a “design a royal crown” craft.
Thank
you to our friends, Raul and Annie, who provided for us many lovely photos from
the day – including those shown here.
Thank
you, also, to the family members who traveled across the country to join us –
my parents and my Aunt Pat. Finally, I
appreciate the SCBWI-SWTX board members and all the friends who stopped by to celebrate that day.
Cheerio!
