A Tale for Easter

by Tasha Tudor

You can guess Easter is coming when you get a new dress, have hot cross buns, and wake up to colored eggs, baby ducklings, and a bunny rabbit.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Holiday, Art, Animals, Classics, Fiction

Hardcover

First published January 1, 1941

About the author

Tasha Tudor was an American illustrator and author of children's books.

Reviews

[Calista]

A sweet little beginning tale from the past about the past. The gist of the book is you never know much about Easter. The date jumps around so you never quite know when to expect it. I remember that from being a kid and wondering how people kept up with it. Something unexpected always happens like a bunny in your chair.

I adore Tasha Tudor and this sweet book is soft and sweet.

Both children found this boring. The nephew made fun of it going through and the fact that nothing much happens. He gave this 1 star. The niece did, at least, like the artwork and she gave this 2 stars. She is too big for this book too. I still think this is a wonderful classic for young children. It’s not exciting. It has a purity to it.

[Abigail]

"You can never tell what might happen on Easter," the narrative of this delightfully old-fashioned holiday picture-book begins. Describing the coming of Easter, the narrator declares that if a child has been good, they will have lovely dreams, the night before the holiday. Becoming "light as thistledown" and riding on a fawn, seeing rabbits with sleek coats and mice with shining whiskers - there are many things one might dream of on the night before Easter, if one "can find the stardust on daffodils with your eyes tight shut..."

A charming little book, with Tasha Tudor's signature illustrations, so full of vintage charm and appeal, A Tale for Easter also boasts an enchantingly magical narrative, in which a dream sequence suggests all sorts of delightful things. I don't think I've ever encountered another Easter story in which the night before the holiday features so strongly - this is something I associate much more with celebrations like Christmas. However that may be, I enjoyed both the text and artwork here. Recommended to Tasha Tudor fans, and to anyone looking for somewhat old-fashioned (secular) Easter picture-books.

[Kathryn]

This is definitely old-fashioned ("you may find a basket of ducklings beside your porridge on Easter morning") but that's part of the charm. The storytelling is just so-so, though a few phrases are lovely like "finding the stardust on the daffodils with your eyes closed" or the idea of dreaming of a beautiful fawn that will carry you to meet all sorts of darling Easter-time animals like ducklings and bunnies. The illustrations, however, are classic Tasha Tudor and I adore them.

[Melki]

Easter morning brings magic and surprises. A sweet and nostalgic look at the holiday.

[Jill]

How people observe Easter in other faiths and eras intrigues me. This simple book of Easter celebration and countdown is beautiful. A little girl is shown preparing for Easter as the author acknowledges a child will not know when Easter is near until the hot cross buns on good Friday appear. The girl goes out to talk with her chickens about laying many eggs for the celebration on Sunday and waking to colored eggs in her shoe or perhaps a bonnet.

This is a holiday celebration I can support, much more low-key and all in Tasha Tudor's signature gentle art and story.

[Clwseattle]

I adore everything about A Tale of Easter: its charming, innocent illustrations so reminiscent of Beatrix Potter and it's gentle story of a little girl dreaming a magical Easter Eve dream full of the new life brought by spring.

[Sonia Reppe]

This captures the magic of Easter in the imagination of a child.

[JF]

Bizarre book. Creates this idea that if you have been good enough a deer will pick you up in your dreams and send you on a trip to see other cute animals. Was not a fan. Drawings are cute. Not related to anything I know of Easter

[Luisa Knight]

Tasha Tudor's illustrations are so old fashioned and charming. I love them. And this short, imaginary tale is a fun one.

Ages: 2 - 6

#easter #easter bunny

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[Trisha Daniel]

A Tale For Easter is a story about good little boys and girls getting all their presents for Easter. It combines both the meaning and story line about Christmas with Easter, creating a new intricate story line.
The art work is beautifully illustrated and kept simple yet illagent.

[Groovy]

Ohhhhh, so sweet.

[Emily]

Very old fashioned but I loved it.

[Shiloah]

Perfect for my 2 year old.

[Naturegirl]

Tasha Tudor's gorgeous little drawings tell the story of Easter. Really cute for little ones.

[Margaret Chind]

I love these books from Tasha Tudor, they make me think of childhood. On my wishlist, wondering what the difference will be with the 2013 rerelease edition.

[Yumi Learner]

I bought this book for my painting hints and not to read. That's because I love Tasha Tuder's illustration so very much.

[Michelle]

A bit long for very young readers and kids now won't understand the traditions because they're from over 50 years ago

[Caroline]

The first Tasha Tudor book we have enjoyed.

A whimsical dream about Easter Eve and all the joys it will hold.

Beautifully illustrated, filled with animals and flowers and subtle colors.
While the story itself is not truly about Easter, it is still a delight of springy goodness.

[Rachael Terry]

Beautiful illustrations!

[Deidra Chamberlain]

Sweet, small, and old fashioned holiday book. It reminded me of Hop Hop by Leslie Patricelli. It’s fun to note how the holiday is different for different people and eras.

[Kayla]

Charmingly old-fashioned, but I didn’t care much for the story, itself. The illustrations were cute.

[Lauren Morse]

This book talks about Easter and would be a fun read aloud during that time. It talks about how many different things lead up to Easter and how different things are important to have a good Easter.

[Jessie]

This is a bit of an old-fashioned Easter book. It is about how a girl knows that it is Easter.

[Kaylee Harkness]

Exceptionally outdated

[Lana Kamennof-sine]

What a creative way of sharing Easter traditions, surprises (UK centric) with beautiful imagery

[Catie]

Tasha Tudor's classic illustrations are the draw here. The text is overly cheesy.

[Marcy]

Cute

[Stephanie]

I love Tasha Tudor’s illustrations, but not quite Catholic or old school enough to fully appreciate the text.

[Katrina Lybbert]

This book didn't work for me.

[Stephanie Miceli]

Perfect, sweet little book for Easter and Spring. I love Tasha Tudor’s artwork.