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Tea Rex #1
Tea Rex
Some tea parties are for grown-ups.
Some are for girls.
But this tea party is for a very special guest.
And it is important to follow some rules . . .
like providing comfortable chairs,
and good conversation,
and yummy food.
But sometimes that is not enough for special guests,
especially when their manners are more Cretaceous than gracious . . .
Introducing Tea Rex, a guest that just about any child would love to have to tea!
Some are for girls.
But this tea party is for a very special guest.
And it is important to follow some rules . . .
like providing comfortable chairs,
and good conversation,
and yummy food.
But sometimes that is not enough for special guests,
especially when their manners are more Cretaceous than gracious . . .
Introducing Tea Rex, a guest that just about any child would love to have to tea!
40 pages, Hardcover
First published April 9, 2013
About the author
Molly Idle
48 books206 followersMolly Idle has been drawing ever since she could wield a pencil. But while she started scribbling before she could walk, her professional career as an artist began slightly later…
It was upon her graduation from Arizona State University, with a BFA in Drawing, that Molly accepted an offer to work for DreamWorks Feature Animation Studios. After five years, a number of film credits, and an incredibly good time, she left the studio and leapt with gusto into the world of children's book illustration!
Molly now lives in Arizona with her brilliant husband, two wonderfully mischievous sons, and two snugly cats. When not making mischief with her boys or watching old Technicolor musicals, she can be found at her desk scribbling away, with a pencil in one hand and a cup of espresso in the other- creating a plethora of profoundly whimsical picture books!
It was upon her graduation from Arizona State University, with a BFA in Drawing, that Molly accepted an offer to work for DreamWorks Feature Animation Studios. After five years, a number of film credits, and an incredibly good time, she left the studio and leapt with gusto into the world of children's book illustration!
Molly now lives in Arizona with her brilliant husband, two wonderfully mischievous sons, and two snugly cats. When not making mischief with her boys or watching old Technicolor musicals, she can be found at her desk scribbling away, with a pencil in one hand and a cup of espresso in the other- creating a plethora of profoundly whimsical picture books!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 354 reviews
June 9, 2013
Dinosaurs AND tea?!? Oh yes please :-) I love this book!!! It's absolutely perfect for this girl who loves tea parties AND dinosaurs! Who knew the two could blend so perfectly!? Honestly, much as I adore the book, part of me is a bit churlish because I wish *I* had thought if the idea myself ;-)
What we have here is a charming picture book that reads like an etiquette guide on how to host a proper tea. The catch is that the guest is a T-Rex!!! So things don't go quite as smoothly as if one had invited, say, The Queen. But what ultimately matters is if ones guests have a good time. Does Mr. T-Rex? Read it and see!
The illustrations are delightful and are what bring the humor to the story. The brother and sister are so earnest and cute in their attempts to hold a proper tea even when things go awry! I like that there is a boy participating as I think that (and the dinosaur aspect) opens the book to a wider audience than your typical frilly pink tea party genre. I've already introduced it to my four month old son and he was quite amused by mummy's attempt at a British accent ;-p
What we have here is a charming picture book that reads like an etiquette guide on how to host a proper tea. The catch is that the guest is a T-Rex!!! So things don't go quite as smoothly as if one had invited, say, The Queen. But what ultimately matters is if ones guests have a good time. Does Mr. T-Rex? Read it and see!
The illustrations are delightful and are what bring the humor to the story. The brother and sister are so earnest and cute in their attempts to hold a proper tea even when things go awry! I like that there is a boy participating as I think that (and the dinosaur aspect) opens the book to a wider audience than your typical frilly pink tea party genre. I've already introduced it to my four month old son and he was quite amused by mummy's attempt at a British accent ;-p
July 26, 2017
The perfect guest to have over for tea! (right)? This whimsical story is sure to make adults smile as they read the book with a small child. I am not sure what it is about dinosaurs: maybe they are very 'approachable' because they are extinct. It is amazing to me how they are included in so many books for children!
April 18, 2013
Read this really quickly in the book store. Absolutely perfect for teaching context clues. The text alone is merely a list of proper behaviors for visiting a friend and having tea together. The illustrations of the humongous tyrannosaurus trying to daintily hold a tea cup and sit in a chair that is far too small, shine a different light on things.
April 14, 2013
I love Molly Idle's work. Her illustrations marry with the text in such a beautiful way. I also love the undertone of humor throughout the story as reflected in the illustrations.
February 24, 2016
Loved the illustrations and literally laughed out loud.
February 9, 2013
Loved the art. The book was too literal for me: I not only do not need an instruction manual for hosting a tea party, I'm not sure anyone does.
***
Apparently not being quite so immersed in picture books has made me easier to charm. Or something. This time I was charmed by the contrast between the very traditional and sedate instructions and the images of chaos.
Library copy.
***
Apparently not being quite so immersed in picture books has made me easier to charm. Or something. This time I was charmed by the contrast between the very traditional and sedate instructions and the images of chaos.
Library copy.
April 18, 2013
What a sweet picture book about tea parties and how to be the perfect guest, especially if you are not sure of the house rules. The illustrations are stellar, and I wish I had been invited. The faces on the creatures are endearing and a lot more friendly than most people I see on a daily basis, so I'd love an invite! ( ill even bring some cookies!)
March 20, 2013
Warm, dynamic and detailed art combined with brilliantly deadpan text give this hilarious picture book tons of kid appeal. It's charming and adorable and you should all go read it, okay? Okay.
October 17, 2014
Super cute. Love Idle's artwork and the play between the text and illustrations. Very reminiscent in tone to When You Meet a Bear on Broadway.
November 29, 2018
As the narrator holds forth on the proper protocols for holding afternoon tea in this sweetly humorous picture-book, a young girl and boy welcome a T-Rex to their home and tea table. From 'helping' (i.e.: pulling) him in the door to offering him a seat, they follow the protocols, although the end result is perhaps not what Emily Post had in mind. Still, fun is had by all, and the children too receive an invitation to tea...
The first in a series of picture-books devoted to the adventures of this rather human T-Rex and his friends, Tea Rex is an amusing take on a classic childhood occupation - the high art of imaginative high tea. I've enjoyed Molly Idle's books about Flora and her various dance partners ( Flora and the Flamingo , Flora and the Penguin ), and likewise enjoyed this. I don't know that it's quite as inventive as the Flora books, but it still has a gentle and quirky appeal. Recommended to young dinosaur lovers and tea takers.
The first in a series of picture-books devoted to the adventures of this rather human T-Rex and his friends, Tea Rex is an amusing take on a classic childhood occupation - the high art of imaginative high tea. I've enjoyed Molly Idle's books about Flora and her various dance partners ( Flora and the Flamingo , Flora and the Penguin ), and likewise enjoyed this. I don't know that it's quite as inventive as the Flora books, but it still has a gentle and quirky appeal. Recommended to young dinosaur lovers and tea takers.
September 29, 2026
📌 Children's Picture Book 160 of 2026
A funny, whimsical story about a tea party guest of the dinosaur kind. 😄 My 6 year olds had a good laugh while reading this one and makes for a good conversation of etiquettes of being a guest as well as host. Fun read we say!
A funny, whimsical story about a tea party guest of the dinosaur kind. 😄 My 6 year olds had a good laugh while reading this one and makes for a good conversation of etiquettes of being a guest as well as host. Fun read we say!
March 15, 2020
What a wonderfully drawn, and delightfully amusing book. I think I enjoyed it more than my daughter.
January 19, 2014
I really picked this up for me rather than my son, though I thought he might like the dinosaur. I enjoyed the concept of this book, but the execution would be hard for small children to enjoy. A lot of the story ideas were visual, which were hard to explain to a two-year old. It would be fun for a slightly older child who can pick up on visual clues.
The book is a guide for children who want to have a tea party and shows the correct and not-so-correct ways to handle guests and put on a successful tea party. As a child who grew up with tea parties, both real and imagined, I found the idea of a huge roaring T Rex trying to be genteel and hold a cup of tea hilarious, and the pictures made it even more so. Recommended for ages 5-8, 4 stars.
The book is a guide for children who want to have a tea party and shows the correct and not-so-correct ways to handle guests and put on a successful tea party. As a child who grew up with tea parties, both real and imagined, I found the idea of a huge roaring T Rex trying to be genteel and hold a cup of tea hilarious, and the pictures made it even more so. Recommended for ages 5-8, 4 stars.
October 9, 2012
A richly illustrated lesson in manners will have your little one requesting a re-read over and over again. What does one do when one has a friend to tea? And if that friend is a T-Rex? Lovely, lovely story, and a tea lovers dream.
April 16, 2013
What did I think? I think I thought I ought to have a T-Rex to tea, but I am awfully glad to have had this guide first, so that my manners would be above reproach, and a fine time would be guaran-"tead" for all.
June 21, 2013
This cracked me up so much. I love the illustrations and I also love tea so it is fabulous.
August 1, 2013
Adorable tale.
June 10, 2015
Cute story, pretty pictures! Loved how Mr.Rex was so BIG compared to EVERYTHING else!
August 11, 2015
I love these books.
November 10, 2016
As I read this, I had a family in mind that I totally want to recommend it to!!!
August 17, 2024
When you have a tea party, you must be a gracious host, follow the rules of etiquette, and make sure your guests are comfortable at all times. Even if one of them is a T-Rex.
This book doesn't quite have the charm I'm used to in Molly Idle's books, but I love the illustrations and the way the pictures differ from the narration in meaningful ways. The title itself is delightful, and this book inspired me to have my own tea party.
This book doesn't quite have the charm I'm used to in Molly Idle's books, but I love the illustrations and the way the pictures differ from the narration in meaningful ways. The title itself is delightful, and this book inspired me to have my own tea party.
June 19, 2024
A Tyrannosaurus rex is invited to afternoon.
This picture book is based on the pun “tea” rex for T. Rex. It teaches young readers the proper etiquette for hosting a tea party as well as illustrates the problems with inviting a dinosaur.
This picture book is based on the pun “tea” rex for T. Rex. It teaches young readers the proper etiquette for hosting a tea party as well as illustrates the problems with inviting a dinosaur.
May 7, 2018
What a delightful book! But I must say that those children did treat that poor T-rex so rudely! Children can be ever so unthoughtful.
November 17, 2018
THIS. WAS. SO. CUTE.
December 24, 2021
The cutest little tea tail 🦖
June 27, 2023
Delightful mash-up of interests.
June 1, 2026
Funny read-a-loud! The tea party goes awry when a dinosaur joins Cordelia for some tea. The book lends itself well for story-time. Engaging illustrations.
March 14, 2019
An exceptional set of guidelines about the right way to invite dinosaurs to tea parties. It's the book tea aficionados have been waiting for for decades. Thank you Ms. Idle.
August 2, 2024
I can’t wait to have a tea party with daddy someday!
August 27, 2016
This review was originally written for The Baby Bookworm. Visit us for new picture books reviews daily!
Summer Reading Day 83: Hello, everybody! Our book today was Tea Rex by Molly Idle, a humorous story about proper tea party etiquette when one of your guests is a humongous T-Rex! Cordelia and her brother invite their friend Mr. Rex for afternoon tea, and while his massive size and sometimes-beastly manner causes a bit of fuss, they do their best to entertain their guest as polite hosts do, and have a lovely, if exhausting, tea party with their friend.
What a sweet, funny book! It juxtaposes the very formal rules of a fancy tea party with hilarious illustrations that highlight the charms and difficulties of Cordelia and her brother's rather unorthodox teatime companion. The story text is short and fun to read, and the length is just about perfect for a Baby Bookworm. Plus, I loved that it showed a male child character having a lovely time at a tea party, and a female character who enjoys her fancy dress and begonias as much as she loves her dinosaur pal. This book is definitely a must for the little girl who loves princesses as much as she loves pteranodons. Baby Bookworm approved!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 354 reviews