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Picking Tea with Baba
Working in a Chinese tea garden is hard work, but it's rewarding when it’s done with family in this 2026 Batchelder Honor Book.
This day-in-the-life picture book for 5-9-year-olds engages the senses as it centers around family and working together while celebrating Chinese culture.
A young boy and his brother travel with their parents up the mountainside to their tea garden for a day of work.
They delight in the animals they see, compete to see who can pick the most tea leaves, take a lunch break, and weather an unexpected rainstorm. At the end of the day, they trek back down the mountain to sell the leaves before going home.
A picture book that awakens the senses, young kids experience a faraway cultural tradition while feeling the familiarity of family and togetherness.
2026 Mildred L. Batchelder Award Honor Book
This day-in-the-life picture book for 5-9-year-olds engages the senses as it centers around family and working together while celebrating Chinese culture.
A young boy and his brother travel with their parents up the mountainside to their tea garden for a day of work.
They delight in the animals they see, compete to see who can pick the most tea leaves, take a lunch break, and weather an unexpected rainstorm. At the end of the day, they trek back down the mountain to sell the leaves before going home.
A picture book that awakens the senses, young kids experience a faraway cultural tradition while feeling the familiarity of family and togetherness.
2026 Mildred L. Batchelder Award Honor Book
47 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 6, 2025
2 people are currently reading
65 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
August 15, 2025
The next time I enjoy a cup of tea I will think of where it may have come from--what village? What family? It is a beautiful story about working together and being proud of the work. It is about the working conditions and what nature is like where tea is grown. Beautiful illustrations accompany the words.
March 12, 2025
Picking Tea with Baba illustrates a day in the life of a tea picker in China. A very "slice-of-life" style, it offers young readers an authentic portrayal of the tea picker's daily experiences.
📌 Big thanks to Charlesbridge Publishing and NetGalley for the opportunity to read a digital ARC of this book! I always appreciate a good read, but as always, my opinions here are 100% honest.
The title of the book itself invoked a lot of interest and warmth for me. The beautiful illustrations have a lush feel, making you feel like you are in the midst of tea garden yourself. Looking at the book cover, I wondered if the book offers a good mix of describing warm family bond between a tea-picker father and his sons and some snippets from the intricate process of tea picking. This book didn't disappoint on either front. I developed a deeper appreciation for the cup of tea we brew at home after reading about how mindfully and intentionally the leaves are picked. The plucking of the top bud and 2 leaves, without distressing the rest of the plant shows that this is a work that needs focus and mindfulness.
The book also gave us an opportunity to talk about tea cultivation in China, but also closer home in eastern parts of India. Although it hasn't been explicitly mentioned in the book, it is easy to understand that their father leads an extremely disciplined and strenuous routine in his profession. This could go a long way in instilling respect and appreciation for a profession that isnt a regular 9 to 5 job my kids see around us. I also liked that this book gave me an opportunity to talk about how the climate and terrier affects agriculture. How tea harvested at different times of the year has different flavours. Apart from that, this was an opportunity to highlight that global trade has a wide expanse. That a product grown far far away could potentially be consumed by someone sitting on the opposite side of the globe.
All in all, it was a joyful and enlightening read for me and my 4 year olds.
📌 Big thanks to Charlesbridge Publishing and NetGalley for the opportunity to read a digital ARC of this book! I always appreciate a good read, but as always, my opinions here are 100% honest.
The title of the book itself invoked a lot of interest and warmth for me. The beautiful illustrations have a lush feel, making you feel like you are in the midst of tea garden yourself. Looking at the book cover, I wondered if the book offers a good mix of describing warm family bond between a tea-picker father and his sons and some snippets from the intricate process of tea picking. This book didn't disappoint on either front. I developed a deeper appreciation for the cup of tea we brew at home after reading about how mindfully and intentionally the leaves are picked. The plucking of the top bud and 2 leaves, without distressing the rest of the plant shows that this is a work that needs focus and mindfulness.
The book also gave us an opportunity to talk about tea cultivation in China, but also closer home in eastern parts of India. Although it hasn't been explicitly mentioned in the book, it is easy to understand that their father leads an extremely disciplined and strenuous routine in his profession. This could go a long way in instilling respect and appreciation for a profession that isnt a regular 9 to 5 job my kids see around us. I also liked that this book gave me an opportunity to talk about how the climate and terrier affects agriculture. How tea harvested at different times of the year has different flavours. Apart from that, this was an opportunity to highlight that global trade has a wide expanse. That a product grown far far away could potentially be consumed by someone sitting on the opposite side of the globe.
All in all, it was a joyful and enlightening read for me and my 4 year olds.
January 25, 2025
Very charming story about a family’s adventure picking and gathering tea leaves together in the mountains. Such a unique concept and I learned a little about picking tea leaves and the value of working together as a family unit.
The illustrations are also pretty neat and remind me of the old school rustic children’s stories.
Thank you to Charlesbridge and NetGalley for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are independently my own.
The illustrations are also pretty neat and remind me of the old school rustic children’s stories.
Thank you to Charlesbridge and NetGalley for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are independently my own.
January 27, 2025
A charmingly related day-in-the-life tale centered on family & shared labor, and exploring the natural world around them as the child protagonist & his family work in a tea garden. The writing (as translated by Shan Chen) is simple but effective, and the illustrations are eye-catching and beautiful, rich in color and detail.
Thank you to Charlesbridge for the advance copy in exchange for an honest review!
Thank you to Charlesbridge for the advance copy in exchange for an honest review!
February 23, 2026
Lovely illustrations with an appropriate text which describes a farming family going to the mountain to harvest their tea crop.
A wonderful book for children as today many kids think somhow food just magically shows up at the grocery store.
A wonderful book for children as today many kids think somhow food just magically shows up at the grocery store.
March 28, 2026
An immersive slice of life experience, following a family who makes a living harvesting tea leaves. It shows both the amount of effort that goes into the process, along with the pride in the job. Following the children who get the rare experience of helping their family for the day, brings in an added layer of fun and satisfaction.
April 18, 2025
📚 Ages: ~5–9
Picking Tea with Baba is a quiet, thoughtful picture book that pulls you in and show you what life is like for a child on the other side of the world. It is a grounded, “slice-of-life” tale that makes you feel like you’re actually spending the day with this boy and his family. Our narrator is a young boy who is spending the day picking tea with his father and family. Through his eyes, you get a real sense of both the joy and the labor involved in this tradition.
The tale is sensorial—feeling the wind as they hike up the mountain, listening to Baba sing folk songs, running into bamboo partridges and bees visiting the tea blossoms. The air feels thick before the rain. I could practically smell the tea leaves, feel the sting of the juice on the boy’s hands, and hear the soft rustling as they walked between rows of tea.
And while a lot of it is fun and playful—catching praying mantises, sipping different teas—Xu Bin doesn’t shy away from the more difficult parts. The boy’s hands get stained, his back aches from the repetitive motion, and then there’s a surprise downpour. But that’s what makes it real.
One of my favorite moments was the family taking a break together under a shed, drinking fresh tea and sharing a warm lunch before a little afternoon nap.
The illustrations? Gorgeous. They feel painterly and textured, like every page could be framed.
This is a lovely read for any kid, especially those curious about how things are made or what daily life looks like in different parts of the world. It’s gentle, rich, and immersive—definitely one worth picking up.
Picking Tea with Baba will be published May 6, 2025.
Thank you to NetGalley, Charlesbridge, Xu Bin, Shan Chen (translator), and Yu Yin (illustrator) for this free, advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
Picking Tea with Baba is a quiet, thoughtful picture book that pulls you in and show you what life is like for a child on the other side of the world. It is a grounded, “slice-of-life” tale that makes you feel like you’re actually spending the day with this boy and his family. Our narrator is a young boy who is spending the day picking tea with his father and family. Through his eyes, you get a real sense of both the joy and the labor involved in this tradition.
The tale is sensorial—feeling the wind as they hike up the mountain, listening to Baba sing folk songs, running into bamboo partridges and bees visiting the tea blossoms. The air feels thick before the rain. I could practically smell the tea leaves, feel the sting of the juice on the boy’s hands, and hear the soft rustling as they walked between rows of tea.
And while a lot of it is fun and playful—catching praying mantises, sipping different teas—Xu Bin doesn’t shy away from the more difficult parts. The boy’s hands get stained, his back aches from the repetitive motion, and then there’s a surprise downpour. But that’s what makes it real.
One of my favorite moments was the family taking a break together under a shed, drinking fresh tea and sharing a warm lunch before a little afternoon nap.
The illustrations? Gorgeous. They feel painterly and textured, like every page could be framed.
This is a lovely read for any kid, especially those curious about how things are made or what daily life looks like in different parts of the world. It’s gentle, rich, and immersive—definitely one worth picking up.
Picking Tea with Baba will be published May 6, 2025.
Thank you to NetGalley, Charlesbridge, Xu Bin, Shan Chen (translator), and Yu Yin (illustrator) for this free, advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
April 25, 2025
Book Review: Picking Tea with Baba by Xu Bin
Rating: 5 Stars
I just finished reading Picking Tea with Baba by Xu Bin, and I have to say—it’s an absolute gem! This picture book takes you on a charming journey up a mountainside tea garden, where a young boy and his brother join their parents for a day of hard work and family bonding. From spotting playful animals to racing each other in picking tea leaves, every moment is filled with warmth and simple joys. Even an unexpected rainstorm can’t dampen their spirits!
What I really loved about this book is how it beautifully captures the sensory experience of working in a tea garden, while also celebrating Chinese culture and the importance of family. Making it perfect for kids aged 5-9 who are curious about traditions from around the world.
And can we talk about the illustrations? They’re stunning—vibrant, detailed, and full of life. The colors pop off the page, drawing readers right into the scene. Plus, the writing, skillfully translated by Shan Chen, is straightforward yet heartfelt, making it easy for young readers to connect with the story.
All in all, Picking Tea with Baba is a delightful addition to any home or school library. It’s a sweet, sensory-rich tale that celebrates family, culture, and the joy found in everyday moments. Highly recommend!
⚠️This review was written based on personal opinions and experiences with the book. Individual preferences may vary⚠️
Rating: 5 Stars
I just finished reading Picking Tea with Baba by Xu Bin, and I have to say—it’s an absolute gem! This picture book takes you on a charming journey up a mountainside tea garden, where a young boy and his brother join their parents for a day of hard work and family bonding. From spotting playful animals to racing each other in picking tea leaves, every moment is filled with warmth and simple joys. Even an unexpected rainstorm can’t dampen their spirits!
What I really loved about this book is how it beautifully captures the sensory experience of working in a tea garden, while also celebrating Chinese culture and the importance of family. Making it perfect for kids aged 5-9 who are curious about traditions from around the world.
And can we talk about the illustrations? They’re stunning—vibrant, detailed, and full of life. The colors pop off the page, drawing readers right into the scene. Plus, the writing, skillfully translated by Shan Chen, is straightforward yet heartfelt, making it easy for young readers to connect with the story.
All in all, Picking Tea with Baba is a delightful addition to any home or school library. It’s a sweet, sensory-rich tale that celebrates family, culture, and the joy found in everyday moments. Highly recommend!
⚠️This review was written based on personal opinions and experiences with the book. Individual preferences may vary⚠️
February 18, 2025
Picking Tea with Baba by Xu Bin, illustrated by Yu Yin, translated by Shan Chen is a beautiful book on how working with your family, doing chores together is fun. Two boys set out early morning with their Baba and Mumma to their tea garden on the mountaintop to pick tea leaves. Usually, it's Baba who does the job alone but they have all joined him that day after a hot breakfast, carrying with them wicker baskets, straw hats and some lunch. It's going to be a long day at work but also a treat too!
The foggy morning with the tea ridges serene, looking as if still in sleep, is so well illustrated. The brothers have fun trying to catch bamboo partridges, spotting praying mantis, honey bees and even a black snake. They make tea brewing fresh leaves with water from a nearby spring. With loaded baskets as they walk down hill with great care at sunset, a long back-breaking day at work is over and the tea they picked needs to be delivered at the earliest to the factories. This tea they picked with great care and toil makes its way to our table one day.
On how each member of the family helps or supports another, that working together as a family is important and fun too is depicted beautifully in this book with stunning illustrations. A fine book, a special treat from start to end!
Thank you Netgalley and publishers Charlesbridge for the advance review copy.
The foggy morning with the tea ridges serene, looking as if still in sleep, is so well illustrated. The brothers have fun trying to catch bamboo partridges, spotting praying mantis, honey bees and even a black snake. They make tea brewing fresh leaves with water from a nearby spring. With loaded baskets as they walk down hill with great care at sunset, a long back-breaking day at work is over and the tea they picked needs to be delivered at the earliest to the factories. This tea they picked with great care and toil makes its way to our table one day.
On how each member of the family helps or supports another, that working together as a family is important and fun too is depicted beautifully in this book with stunning illustrations. A fine book, a special treat from start to end!
Thank you Netgalley and publishers Charlesbridge for the advance review copy.
March 26, 2025
Through the lens of a young child, I truly felt that I took a journey with the family, hiking up the steep mountain to their tea garden.
Everything seemed fun: finding bamboo partridges, meeting honey bees that came visit the tea-plant flowers, catching strong praying mantis, and listening to Baba sing folk songs.
But the boy also experienced the hard work of tea picking. The tea-stem juice stained his hands and irritated his skin. The repetitive motions tired his back. And he was caught in a rainstorm.
One part of the story that brought me a smile was the whole family resting under the shed, enjoying a hot lunch, freshly brewed tea, and an afternoon nap. Some moments can surely resonate with many children and adults.
I agree with the young boy, “…it is also joyful, especially when I do it with my family.”
Picking Tea with Baba is a heartwarming book that weaves heritage, family, and nature. The illustrator, Yu Yin, skillfully captured the essence of the local plants, insects, village life, and local market, which helped immerse me further into the story. A wonderful book for readers 5-9 years old.
Thank you to Charlesbridge for the ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Everything seemed fun: finding bamboo partridges, meeting honey bees that came visit the tea-plant flowers, catching strong praying mantis, and listening to Baba sing folk songs.
But the boy also experienced the hard work of tea picking. The tea-stem juice stained his hands and irritated his skin. The repetitive motions tired his back. And he was caught in a rainstorm.
One part of the story that brought me a smile was the whole family resting under the shed, enjoying a hot lunch, freshly brewed tea, and an afternoon nap. Some moments can surely resonate with many children and adults.
I agree with the young boy, “…it is also joyful, especially when I do it with my family.”
Picking Tea with Baba is a heartwarming book that weaves heritage, family, and nature. The illustrator, Yu Yin, skillfully captured the essence of the local plants, insects, village life, and local market, which helped immerse me further into the story. A wonderful book for readers 5-9 years old.
Thank you to Charlesbridge for the ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
April 25, 2025
Picking Tea with Baba is an absolute delight—like sipping a cool glass of sweet tea on a warm day. This beautifully written and illustrated story follows a family of tea farmers as they spend a day together in the tea gardens. The two boys in the story join their Mama and Baba for an early start, enjoy a hot breakfast, and then head up the mountain where the tea garden lies.
Throughout the day, they pick tea leaves and experience the wonders of nature—mantises, bees, partridges, and even a black snake! They pause midday to make and enjoy tea together for lunch, and later, face a thunderstorm as a family. It's a lovely mix of real-life adventure and quiet lessons.
This isn’t just a story about tea—it’s about family, tradition, and the quiet ways children learn life skills by watching and doing alongside their parents. It beautifully captures how culture and values are passed down through generations, all while showing the power of shared work and togetherness.
A touching and heartwarming read—great for sparking conversations about heritage, family routines, and the beauty of nature.
✨ Thank you to NetGalley and Charlesbridge for the eARC of this sweet and meaningful book!
Throughout the day, they pick tea leaves and experience the wonders of nature—mantises, bees, partridges, and even a black snake! They pause midday to make and enjoy tea together for lunch, and later, face a thunderstorm as a family. It's a lovely mix of real-life adventure and quiet lessons.
This isn’t just a story about tea—it’s about family, tradition, and the quiet ways children learn life skills by watching and doing alongside their parents. It beautifully captures how culture and values are passed down through generations, all while showing the power of shared work and togetherness.
A touching and heartwarming read—great for sparking conversations about heritage, family routines, and the beauty of nature.
✨ Thank you to NetGalley and Charlesbridge for the eARC of this sweet and meaningful book!
April 11, 2025
Book 073 of 350 ~ 2025
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
I love reading about various cultures and learning more about how they live their lives.
This sparked my interest as I watched how Rose and her family in China work hard to harvest tea on Facebook.
The author and illustrator beautifully depicted the hard life yet infused the beauty of how the family cares and loves each other in spite of it.
I read it thrice. Absolutely loved it.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
#book073of350 #netgalley #amreading #tbrpile #instareads #readstagram #reading #bookreview #bookreviewer #booklover #booksAreLife #booksForTheWin #thisbookfairyisreading #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #bookstagramfeature #bookshelf #booksofinstagram #bookish #bookworm #goodreads #booklovers #theSGbookfairyReads #theSGtrekkiereads #bookaholic #bookaddict #bookchallenge2025 #reviews #lovebooks #booknerds
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
I love reading about various cultures and learning more about how they live their lives.
This sparked my interest as I watched how Rose and her family in China work hard to harvest tea on Facebook.
The author and illustrator beautifully depicted the hard life yet infused the beauty of how the family cares and loves each other in spite of it.
I read it thrice. Absolutely loved it.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
#book073of350 #netgalley #amreading #tbrpile #instareads #readstagram #reading #bookreview #bookreviewer #booklover #booksAreLife #booksForTheWin #thisbookfairyisreading #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #bookstagramfeature #bookshelf #booksofinstagram #bookish #bookworm #goodreads #booklovers #theSGbookfairyReads #theSGtrekkiereads #bookaholic #bookaddict #bookchallenge2025 #reviews #lovebooks #booknerds
April 25, 2025
Thank you to Charlesbridge and Netgalley for this digital arc. The more we learn about the various people and cultures of the world, the better we will be. In “Picking Tea with Baba” we share a day in the life of a Chinese tea farmer's family. The mother, father, and two young sons climb high into the mountain tea ridges where they pick the fragile tea leaves in the tea garden. Father sings as he works, mother prepares lunch, the brothers fetch water, and a sudden rainstorm briefly interrupts the work. At days end, the family carry their heavy bamboo baskets as they carefully descend the mountain and immediately head to the tea factory to sell the fresh leaves. Illustrations are rich in color, with the outlines of honeybees, a prying mantis, a bamboo partridge, and other tea garden wildlife etched into the green endpapers. Themes of cooperation, family, and community economics make this the perfect title to share with younger elementary students.
#PickingTeawithBaba
#PickingTeawithBaba
March 16, 2026
My preschool students know two things about me: I love to read books and I love to drink tea. This book is a perfect opportunity to combine both of these interests into a mini teaching lesson about tea and where it comes from. We follow a family throughout a day of picking tea in their family garden, from waking early and hiking the mountain, through picking the tea all day, to selling the leaves and heading home. The writing is deeply engaging of the senses and introduces descriptive words to help build a young learners vocabulary. The art is soft yet vibrant, with enough detail to enhance the story without derailing it. I cannot wait to get a copy for my personal library and will be returning to it year after year with my students.
Thank you to Netgalley and Charlesbridge for the review copy, all opinions are my own.
Thank you to Netgalley and Charlesbridge for the review copy, all opinions are my own.
April 21, 2025
“Picking Tea with Baba” is a delightful story with charming artwork. It tells the story of the arduous, but rewarding, work that goes into harvesting tea leaves. It gives a bit of insight into an aspect of life in some parts of rural China that many children, especially in Western societies, may not be familiar with. In places like the U.S., where there is not a very developed tea culture, it might also spark interest in one of the most widely consumed beverages in the world. Altogether it’s a lovely book that can expose young readers to one of the many ways of life in our beautifully diverse world!
[Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a free advance copy in exchange for my honest review.]
[Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a free advance copy in exchange for my honest review.]
May 21, 2025
A young Chinese boy and his brother travel with their parents up a mountain to their tea garden to harvest fresh tea leaves for the day. Follow along to experience firsthand what is like to be a tea farmer in rural China, and also see how their family interacts in this sweet story.
Originally published in China and created by a Chinese author and illustrator, this picture book offers an authentic portrayal of rural Chinese life. It provides young American readers with a window into a different culture, highlighting distinctive landscapes, plants, animals, and daily activities typical of a Chinese family living in the country. I could see this being an important addition to a dual-language immersion classroom, or to any world language classroom.
Originally published in China and created by a Chinese author and illustrator, this picture book offers an authentic portrayal of rural Chinese life. It provides young American readers with a window into a different culture, highlighting distinctive landscapes, plants, animals, and daily activities typical of a Chinese family living in the country. I could see this being an important addition to a dual-language immersion classroom, or to any world language classroom.
February 8, 2026
Open this picture book and visit a tea leaf farm in rural China. I've never been to China but love books such as this one, unfolding page after page in surprising and careful illustrations, like a passport to another country.
In these pages, we, too, can chase the black snake in the fields with the young boys, listen to Baba (dad) sing folk songs while working the fields, fetch cool water from a nearby spring, and jump at a praying mantis on the tip of a tea bud. After selling their tea leaves to the factory at the town market, the family walks behind the trucks loaded with tea leaves, a days full work done and heading for home. Author and illustrator are both from China.
Themes: China/culture, tea/food, family
Ages: 1-3rd+ grade
Pub year: 2025
In these pages, we, too, can chase the black snake in the fields with the young boys, listen to Baba (dad) sing folk songs while working the fields, fetch cool water from a nearby spring, and jump at a praying mantis on the tip of a tea bud. After selling their tea leaves to the factory at the town market, the family walks behind the trucks loaded with tea leaves, a days full work done and heading for home. Author and illustrator are both from China.
Themes: China/culture, tea/food, family
Ages: 1-3rd+ grade
Pub year: 2025
February 15, 2026
As the reader we are able to observe the family tradition of taking on the mountain being passed on through seeing the father take his kids to the mountainside. I think it's important for children to have a choice in this, both kids seemed to be excited to go for the journey and understand it will be a long mission. They are able to actively participate in this hard work and get to see their father doing things such as singing folk songs to pass the time and make it more enjoyable. The illustrations show the children and mother taking a break after lunch while the father is going out to collect more leaves. This is enforcing the idea that it is okay to take a break and that you should only do what your body will allow you to.
January 26, 2025
A beautifully immersive, informative story of a family who spends the day picking tea leaves in China. Two brothers and their parents make the early morning trek up the mountain, and once they finally reach the top they work hard to gather as many tea leaves as they can. After a midday lunch and an unpredictable rain shower, they make their way back down the mountain to provide the tea factory with the harvested leaves. A wonderful book for exposing children to a culture and family time that may be very different from their own!
Thank you to NetGalley and the author for providing me with a free eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to NetGalley and the author for providing me with a free eARC in exchange for an honest review.
March 30, 2026
I absolutely adore this picture book. It follows a simple story of a Chinese family climbing a mountain early in the morning to pick tea leaves, then returning home after selling their harvest. Yet, within this simplicity, it richly captures the warmth of family bonds, the joy of labor, and the breathtaking beauty of nature. There is also a special delight in spotting the tiny details in the illustrations—the little insects, the changing colors of the sky, and the loyal dog who stays behind only to greet the family and walk back home with them. The superb artwork reinforces the message, making it resonate more deeply.
April 25, 2026
The people who pick tea leaves work long days as do all farmers around the world. Join two brothers as they spend a day at work with their parents on the mountain where they pick the tea leaves. They see birds and insects as they work. They deal with weather changes, compete to see who picks the most leaves, and deal with the reactions of their skin to this grueling work that provides for their family. Illustrations depicting the terrain, the community, the homes, and the views of the Chinese landscape are joyful, honorable in the way of historical Chinese art, and peaceful. This book is lovely.
September 5, 2025
First published in China in 2023 and translated into English for this 2025 edition in the United States.
Since tea is my hot drink of choice this was interesting to read about the hand picking process. LI didn’t realize after picking tea needs to be sold quickly. Illustrations are done in deep shades of bright colors. I especially liked the end papers as well as the illustration of the stained hands holding picked tea leaves. Faces and especially the eyes indicate that there was probably some digital work involved with these illustrations.
Since tea is my hot drink of choice this was interesting to read about the hand picking process. LI didn’t realize after picking tea needs to be sold quickly. Illustrations are done in deep shades of bright colors. I especially liked the end papers as well as the illustration of the stained hands holding picked tea leaves. Faces and especially the eyes indicate that there was probably some digital work involved with these illustrations.
February 11, 2026
A boy and his brother accompany their parents to the top of the mountain, where their tea garden is. It's a long day of leaf picking, but the children love spending time with their parents and seeing the birds, bugs, and other things in the garden.
I never thought about how tea leaves get picked. This family is Chinese, it seems like modern day, but rural, as when they take the leaves to the market, there are cars and scooters. The illustrations are beautiful but I think the story has limited appeal.
I never thought about how tea leaves get picked. This family is Chinese, it seems like modern day, but rural, as when they take the leaves to the market, there are cars and scooters. The illustrations are beautiful but I think the story has limited appeal.
February 4, 2025
Follow along with a pair of young children as they head to the mountains to pick tea with their grandpa. This gentle story lets us peek in on a Chinese family as they spend the day picking tea. It's work for the adults, but the kids find a variety of adventures to keep themselves busy. The illustrations are engaging and open the door to the life of rural families in China. Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for a review copy, my thoughts are my own.
March 28, 2026
Two boys spend a day with their mother and grandfather up on the mountain in his tea garden. Beautiful, naturalistic paintings celebrate the landscape and the wildlife the boys discover. Though the work is hard, the boys enjoy being a part of the family enterprise. Distractions, like the partridges the boys chase, stop the story just short of becoming a lesson. The translation of this Chinese picturebook is a 2026 Batchelder Honor Book.
April 1, 2026
Readers get to tag along as a family harvests tea in their mountain tea garden in China. Along the way, they get to enjoy the sights, sounds, and experience of the process, gaining a window into a tradition and way of life that few Westerners encounter. This tale helps children learn about cultural traditions, where food and drinks come from, and the care and teamwork involved in bringing tea from plant to cup.
March 2, 2025
Two boys rise early to join their parents in picking tea leaves on a mountaintop. As the day unfolds, the tea garden is both serene and bustling, and the children experience the daily rhythm of harvesting and selling tea. Through their eyes, readers glimpse the curiosity, playfulness, and hard work woven into this unexpected day with their parents.
Both the language—rich in thoughtful word choices and observations—and the illustrations work together to create a warm, grounded portrayal of life in the tea garden. A lovely, immersive look into the daily lives of tea harvesters.
Thanks to Edelweiss and the publisher for this ARC.
Both the language—rich in thoughtful word choices and observations—and the illustrations work together to create a warm, grounded portrayal of life in the tea garden. A lovely, immersive look into the daily lives of tea harvesters.
Thanks to Edelweiss and the publisher for this ARC.
March 28, 2025
I loved this book!
The illustrations were fun, and both the love and labour of caring for land and growing tea plants could be felt all throughout this little story.
A quick and valuable read that opens up your world to another way of life. I am excited to share this one with my family.
Thank you to Net Galley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.
The illustrations were fun, and both the love and labour of caring for land and growing tea plants could be felt all throughout this little story.
A quick and valuable read that opens up your world to another way of life. I am excited to share this one with my family.
Thank you to Net Galley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.
May 23, 2025
A family picks tea leaves together and experience many things like finding bugs and snakes, hands getting sticky from the leaves and weather. The book is informative for someone like m who doesn't know much about picking tea. It was a warm story and I think kids will enjoy hearing how tea is picked from the voice of a younger kid like them.
December 24, 2025
In this translated story from China, a young boy goes on a day excursion with the rest of his family into the mountains to pick tea to sell at the market. The detailed descriptions of the travails, the wildlife, as well as the event of a day picking tea is a unique topic titles that serves to open the children's eyes to the larger world.
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