Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
A spare narrative and enticing hand-drawn images conjure the enjoyment of sipping tea in this warming collaboration. Via a "Tea is" refrain, Khorram and Cha denote varied facets of the subject: "Tea is a plant// Tea is a journey// Tea is a rainbow// and tea is love." Subsequent pages reference the beverage's place in ceremony and connection, "whether for many" (a lively wedding celebration featuring a samovar) "or two" (a couple quietly enjoying a nighttime cup as they soothe an infant). In scenes of harvest, commerce, education, and ritual, people portrayed with various skin tones prepare and drink distinctive variations, including chai and matcha. Echoing the handmade aspects of tea cultivation and preparation, multimedia illustrations painstakingly highlight the drink's sensory and tactile qualities, from spirals and waves of steam to hands curled around cups, mugs, and bowls. An author's note concludes. Ages 4--8. (Oct.)
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Review by Horn Book Review
Tea begins as a plant, plucked from misty hillsides. It is transported to a teahouse, purchased, and then steeped and shared. From there, it appears in many forms: poured at a wedding, brewed for tired new parents, sipped on a quiet morning, shared with a neighbor. Khorram's spare, rhythmic text strings together such brief declarations as "Tea is a plant," "Tea is a ceremony," and "Tea is a memory," with frequent interjections of the refrain "And tea is love." The effect is meditative and expansive, showing tea not only as a drink but also as a vessel of history, tradition, and connection. Cha's watercolor illustrations expand on each phrase, turning words into full scenes that convey both intimacy and community. Swirls of steam drift across the spreads, linking vignette to vignette and making the book feel fluid and continuous. These visual transitions give the minimal text added resonance, so the story unfolds not as a straight line but rather as a tapestry of experiences. The book's simplicity invites young readers to consider its themes of tradition, memory, and care. An author's note places tea in its global and historical context. Together, words and pictures create a work as warming and sustaining as the drink itself. Weileen WangNovember/December 2025 p.51 (c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
A tribute to tea and the many ways it's enjoyed the world over. "Tea is a journey," Khorram notes. This one begins in the misty mountains as an East Asian--presenting adult and child harvest leaves, then sell their wares at a bustling tea house. ("Tea is a rainbow.") A customer purchases some as a gift for a family member ("Tea is love"), and the two enjoy a quiet ritual ("Tea is a ceremony") while reminiscing ("Tea is a memory"). The "tea is" statements continue as Khorram underscores the special place this ubiquitous beverage holds for people all over the globe. Tea is central to life, whether fueling merriment at a wedding or giving quiet comfort to new parents during a sleepless night. Whether brewed to cheer us on a cozy winter morning, made just for one, or shared with neighbors, tea is truly nourishing. Cha's soft, gracefully flowing watercolors feature steamy swirls, connecting the various scenes and creating a feeling of warmth. Khorram ends with an author's note further commenting on tea's origins and global impact. Readers will eagerly pore over the illustrations, each bustling with movement and telling a story all its own. As richly fortifying as the beverage it spotlights.(Picture book. 4-8) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
