Tea Party Rules by Ame Dyckman -- ESSENTIAL

Dyckman, Ame Tea Party Rules, illustrated by K. G. Campbell. PICTURE BOOK. Viking Juvenile, 2013. Content: G.

While wandering the forest, Cub finds a little girl's tea party, complete with cookies. Luckily, the girl has ducked out for a moment, but just as Cub reaches for his first treat, the girl returns -- and mistakes him for her own teddy bear. Can Cub keep up the pretense long enough to steal some sweets?

Tea Party Rules is hilarious. The text perfectly captures the nature of little girls, who are often fastidious and playful by turns, and the illustrations are absolutely priceless. The book is entertaining on its own, but it would also be a good discussion starter for how to be a good play date guest or hostess.

Pre-K, EL (K-3) -- ESSENTIAL. Reviewer: Caryn