Once Upon a Tea Party
Photography: Rebekah Stevens
Every spring, two enchanting childhood joys come together: a good book and a tea party. The Peter Rabbit Tea, hosted by Park City Library, celebrates Beatrix Potter, tea, and of course, that mischievous bunny, Peter.
At the appointed hour, two dozen little ladies and gents, most aged 5 to 9, are ushered into the tea parlor (a.k.a. the library’s conference room), which is filled with a spread of tiny cakes, sandwiches, fruit and steaming peppermint, lemon and black teas.
“It reminds me of when I was a kid,” says Youth Services Librarian (and tea hostess since 2001) Heather Reynolds. Initially inspired by guest speaker Betsy Bray of the Beatrix Potter Society, the gatherings have become an elegantly pint-sized tradition. The children quietly sip and nibble as Reynolds reads “The Tale of Peter Rabbit” and gives a very brief history of artist-author Ms. Potter. Then, the games begin — stories, songs, finger-plays, Peter Rabbit Bingo and crafts.
As Helen Swan puts it, “The Beatrix Potter world is so magical and fantastical, it’s just lovely.” Her daughters, Teia and Eryn, are fans of the Potter stories and regulars at “Miss Heather’s fabulous tea.”
Steeped with fun until the last sip, the children file out, door prizes in hand, and say farewell to Flopsy, Mopsy, Cotton-tail and Peter — until next spring.
Your comments may be edited for brevity and foul language.