There’s one book that you should keep your eyes out for this winter: The Tea Party in the Woods, by Akiko Miyakoshi. It’s a wonderful, heartfelt story about a young girl who stumbles upon a tea party in the middle of the forest near her house.
I came across this book in a local bookstore by mistake: the cover, with its fantastic, stark oil pastel illustrations and occasional flash of color caught my eyes and drew me in completely. I bought the story without a second thought.
What’s kept me picking up and reading the book over and over again is how utterly wonderful it is: it’s a modern sort of fairy tale with a simple story at its core.
A young girl sets off after her father to deliver a pie to her grandmother on the other side of the forest. While on the way, she trips and falls, crushing the pie, and comes across a strange gathering in the midst of the forest.
Her new friends help her deliver her parcel by the end, delivering a simple message: you’re never alone in the woods, and you’re never far from friends.
This is the perfect sort of story to read at any point in the winter months – but it feels like it’s the sort of book that will make for a great holiday tradition: it’s a book about friends, gatherings and helping one another – all lessons that are perfect for any season.
Valentine’s Day is the perfect kid holiday. You’re not old enough to be jaded by the “most romantic day of the year.” You get piles of candy and great books.
Small adjustments, like creating a budget or setting savings goals, can make a big difference over time. Build a robust financial future for your family.
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