It is fun to use picture books as a springboard into other topics and this book How the Queen found the perfect cup of tea raises lots of possibilities. You could trace the Queen's journey to Japan, India and finally Turkey. Her hot air balloon is a very fine way to travel. With the help of a new young friend she samples and participates in the making of three different versions of tea and discovers that yes indeed each is delicious but there is another ingredient needed to make the perfect cup of tea - the company of good friends. You could research types of tea, ways of making making tea and with older children - the customs involved with drinking tea for example look for the book Listen to the Wind.
For students of visual literacy you might compare the final spread in How the Queen found the perfect cup of tea classic images of the Mad Hatters tea party from Alice in Wonderland. This one is by Helen Oxenbury.
Here is the Kirkus review. Kate Hosford has a web site where you can see some of her other titles. In our school library we have a very special book illustrated by Gabi Swiatkowska - My name is Yoon. For older children I would pair this book with Cloud Tea Monkeys by Mal Peet and with younger children the classic The Tiger who came to Tea. My friend at Kinderbooks talks about tea books here. You can read an interview with the author. If you want to explore some other funny books about Queen Victoria look for Queen Victoria's Underpants by Jackie French.
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