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Teaflet and Roog Make a Mess
A silly, illustrated adventure from the National Book Award-winning author of The Penderwicks--perfect for children newly reading on their own!
Teaflet and her brother, Roog, are ready to throw their annual strawberry jam party for their friends in Trefldom. They want it to be the best party ever, even ten times better than the best party ever! But the inspector of neatness is coming to examine their higgledy-piggledy house from top to bottom. If she finds even one pinch of dirt, or one messy bed, the party will be canceled.
Teaflet promises to clean while Roog bakes for the party. But will she be distracted by animals needing her help, like the toad whose tongue drags on the ground? Or will she finish in time and save the party?
Teaflet and her brother, Roog, are ready to throw their annual strawberry jam party for their friends in Trefldom. They want it to be the best party ever, even ten times better than the best party ever! But the inspector of neatness is coming to examine their higgledy-piggledy house from top to bottom. If she finds even one pinch of dirt, or one messy bed, the party will be canceled.
Teaflet promises to clean while Roog bakes for the party. But will she be distracted by animals needing her help, like the toad whose tongue drags on the ground? Or will she finish in time and save the party?
96 pages, Library Binding
First published May 11, 2021
1 person is currently reading
42 people want to read
About the author
Jeanne Birdsall
20 books1,254 followersJeanne Birdsall grew up in the suburbs west of Philadelphia, where she attended wonderful public schools. Jeanne had lots of great teachers, but her favorites were: Mrs. Corkhill, sixth grade, who encouraged her intellectual curiosity; Mr. Tremonte, eighth grade algebra, who taught Jeanne to love and respect math; and Miss Basehore, second and fourth year Latin, to whom Jeanne (and Mr. Penderwick) will be forever grateful.
Although she first decided to become a writer when she was ten years old, it took Jeanne until she was forty-one to get started. In the years in between, Jeanne had many strange jobs to support herself, and also worked hard as a photographer, the kind that makes art. Some of Jeanne's photographs are included in the permanent collections of museums, including the Smithsonian and the Philadelphia Art Museum. Her work can be seen in several galleries, including the R. Michelson Galleries in western Massachusetts.
Jeanne's home now is with her husband in Northampton, Massachusetts. Their house is old and comfortable, full of unruly animals, and surrounded by gardens.
Although she first decided to become a writer when she was ten years old, it took Jeanne until she was forty-one to get started. In the years in between, Jeanne had many strange jobs to support herself, and also worked hard as a photographer, the kind that makes art. Some of Jeanne's photographs are included in the permanent collections of museums, including the Smithsonian and the Philadelphia Art Museum. Her work can be seen in several galleries, including the R. Michelson Galleries in western Massachusetts.
Jeanne's home now is with her husband in Northampton, Massachusetts. Their house is old and comfortable, full of unruly animals, and surrounded by gardens.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
August 25, 2021
Sometimes it was adorable and sometimes it was a bit too twee -- even for me. That said, it's a cute little story for young children who enjoy animals and/or baking. Nothing too perilous. Lots of adorable animals. And using needled felted figures for the art is kind of a neat change of pace--I especially loved the kitchen scenes and all the miniature food :-) Fun fact: Jeanne Birdsall and Jane Dyer are neighbors!
June 20, 2021
On the one hand, of course it’s good. How could it not be? On the other, I think the assumed reader tolerance for preciousness is some decades out-of-date. Probably today’s youth who can read this on their own are already too cynical and will want to give it the Battle Bunny treatment. So perhaps this is most appropriate for grandmothers reading to a preliterate, captive audience.
March 27, 2022
Cute story- creepy-weird illustrations
July 26, 2021
So quirky but… darling. I can’t quite see my students being as charmed as I was, but I’m gonna give it a shot. These felt “illustrations” really won me over, too. Incredible!
March 8, 2024
This was an adorable story, with cute illustrations that must have taken forever to create!
March 12, 2025
This didn't work for me, which is a shame, because it's such a lovely concept. Unfortunately, the writing was a bit jumbled, and while the felted characters were very charming, the mix of felt and traditional illustrations never really seemed to gel into a cohesive style.
I get the impression that this was meant to be the first entry in a series, and perhaps Teaflet and Roog will find their feet if they get another story together.
I get the impression that this was meant to be the first entry in a series, and perhaps Teaflet and Roog will find their feet if they get another story together.
October 12, 2022
It's time for Roog's annual strawberry jam party where his decadent desserts are always the talk of the town. Roog's sister Teaflet, who has a knack for helping animals in need, promises she'll help clean the house for the party, but there are just too many animals in distress for her to do much tidying up. In fact, the house seems to be getting messier and messier with each new creature who steps through the door. And the town's strict inspector of neatness has chosen today of all days to come calling. Will Teaflet and Roog clean up the mess in time or will they have to cancel their beloved party?
Recommended for new chapter book readers who like books with low stakes and lots of animals, and those who don't mind a unique art style.
Recommended for new chapter book readers who like books with low stakes and lots of animals, and those who don't mind a unique art style.
July 1, 2021
Very, very, *very* sweet (literally they mentioned baked goods on just about every page), it was a bit saccharine for my tastes but still nice. An incredibly simple story with photographs of breathtakingly darling felted characters. A beautiful book that would make a cute read-a-loud for ages 3-7.
June 10, 2021
Funny and cute little book
March 29, 2022
Meet Teaflet and Roog! They are Trelfs - which I think means they are tree elves. I mean, they live in a tree and they are quite small. Teaflet loves animals. She spends her days solving their problems. An owl who has twisted his neck? A mouse whose tail is stuck in grass? A toad whose tongue can't roll back up? Teaflet is there to help. Of course, all of the animals love her back and never want to leave which makes for a bit of a crowd. And mess. Roog, on the other hand, loves all things related to cooking. One of his specialties is strawberry jam and, fortunately, it is time for the annual Strawberry Jam Party! This is the tenth one so it must be extra special. Unfortunately, Inspector Maple has picked that very day, of all days, to come and inspect their home for cleanliness! Roog is worried they will fail the inspection but Teaflet assures him that she will take care of all the cleaning. Of course, there are quite a few messes made but Teaflet and Roog persevere - the Strawberry Jam Party must go on!
I thought this was simply delightful. Jeanne Birdsall's story-telling was excellent, as always. But the artwork was exceptional. Jane Dyer has created brushed felt characters out of wool - sheared from her own sheep, no less! She and Jeanne then created the scenes in the book using the felt characters and photographed them. Jane also did some watercolor paintings. All of this is explained in the introduction to the book but I found little Teaflet and Roog and all their animal friends to be quite adorable. And the desserts also looked very tasty.
Be sure to have some strawberries on hand to make your own jam so you can have a Strawberry Jam Party of your own.
I thought this was simply delightful. Jeanne Birdsall's story-telling was excellent, as always. But the artwork was exceptional. Jane Dyer has created brushed felt characters out of wool - sheared from her own sheep, no less! She and Jeanne then created the scenes in the book using the felt characters and photographed them. Jane also did some watercolor paintings. All of this is explained in the introduction to the book but I found little Teaflet and Roog and all their animal friends to be quite adorable. And the desserts also looked very tasty.
Be sure to have some strawberries on hand to make your own jam so you can have a Strawberry Jam Party of your own.
April 8, 2021
I received an electronic ARC from Random House Children's through NetGalley.
Readers meet Teaflet and Roog as they prepare for their annual Strawberry Jam Party. The narrator provides information on each of them as we see into their home. Roog is the chef; Teaflet is the animal caretaker. For the most part, the siblings balance each other and live together in harmony. That is about to change as the new neatness inspector sends word that she will arrive on the morning of the party. Roog is already anxious about all the baking and Teaflet and her animals have caused chaos in the kitchen. Teaflet offers to clean up the entire home while Roog bakes. Unfortunately, she does not have her animals leave. Disaster strikes that morning but the animals save the day. They pass the inspection and enjoy the party.
The illustrations/photos are charming and bring the characters to life for younger readers. The felt characters are highly detailed and fun to study.
Terrific family read. It will be interesting to debate whether the inspector scheduled this so that she could actually be at the party or she really was intent on failing them so they would clean her house.
Readers meet Teaflet and Roog as they prepare for their annual Strawberry Jam Party. The narrator provides information on each of them as we see into their home. Roog is the chef; Teaflet is the animal caretaker. For the most part, the siblings balance each other and live together in harmony. That is about to change as the new neatness inspector sends word that she will arrive on the morning of the party. Roog is already anxious about all the baking and Teaflet and her animals have caused chaos in the kitchen. Teaflet offers to clean up the entire home while Roog bakes. Unfortunately, she does not have her animals leave. Disaster strikes that morning but the animals save the day. They pass the inspection and enjoy the party.
The illustrations/photos are charming and bring the characters to life for younger readers. The felt characters are highly detailed and fun to study.
Terrific family read. It will be interesting to debate whether the inspector scheduled this so that she could actually be at the party or she really was intent on failing them so they would clean her house.
July 12, 2021
Adorable characters and story about a brother who bakes and sister who helps animals. These children are "little-sized people". The instigating action of the story is that not only are they getting ready for a bug party, baking going on, and animals in the house being helped, but they get a notice that very day prior that the inspector is coming to see their place in the morning and if it's not spic and span they face cleaning her place all that day.
I can't recall any other story where a community inspector comes to check houses. Then again, not many stories have two children living alone, even if they are not norm humans.
The art scattered throughout the book is charming. I only wish there had been one or a few scenes to really show their size compared to us humans.
The story pace is fast and fun, emotional stakes are there, and whether a boy or girl, the main characters appeal to both I think.
I can't recall any other story where a community inspector comes to check houses. Then again, not many stories have two children living alone, even if they are not norm humans.
The art scattered throughout the book is charming. I only wish there had been one or a few scenes to really show their size compared to us humans.
The story pace is fast and fun, emotional stakes are there, and whether a boy or girl, the main characters appeal to both I think.
June 11, 2021
This book is aimed at "transition" readers - those children who are just beginning to read chapter books and are benefited by lots of illustrations along the way.
While I am a fan of Jane Dyer (her "Cookies" books in conjunction with Amy Krouse Rosenthal are beloved by me and others), this one was not my cup of tea. This book is told in the same slow-moving plot style as "The Very Very Far North" by Dan Bar-el, and I just personally can't bear it.
I'm not sure early elementary readers would pick this up off the shelf, either, due to the needle-felted illustrations appearing "outdated." They are masterful, yes, but kids in the 5/6/7 year age range tend to pick up humorous books or books on high-interest topics.
While I am a fan of Jane Dyer (her "Cookies" books in conjunction with Amy Krouse Rosenthal are beloved by me and others), this one was not my cup of tea. This book is told in the same slow-moving plot style as "The Very Very Far North" by Dan Bar-el, and I just personally can't bear it.
I'm not sure early elementary readers would pick this up off the shelf, either, due to the needle-felted illustrations appearing "outdated." They are masterful, yes, but kids in the 5/6/7 year age range tend to pick up humorous books or books on high-interest topics.
March 6, 2022
This is a cute story about a brother and sister who are due to have a party however the have received a letter informing them that they will have a cleaning inspection the same day. As they rush around to prepare the desserts for the party and clean the house, what. Pups go wrong? Will they have everything fixed in time or will they fail and have to clean the inspectors house instead. I absolutely loved the pictures in this book. The story is very cute as well. I would recommend it!
November 13, 2021
I wasn’t sure what to think of this one initially, especially since I am NOT a fan needle-felting. Some of the artwork was not my favorite but some was actually cute, despite it. Jane Dyer masterfully crafts her dolls and the placement is perfect.
The story about the Trelf’s was cute and quirky. I could see this as a sweet read-aloud for youngsters.
The story about the Trelf’s was cute and quirky. I could see this as a sweet read-aloud for youngsters.
July 27, 2021
Charming, old-school type early chapter book. Good for a read aloud with ages 4+, as well as 2nd grade and up on their own. The photo illustrations are both adorable and maybe a tiny bit creepy, but I'm choosing to favor adorable and appreciate all the work that went into the needle felting.
January 2, 2022
Love the needle-felting and watercolor illustrations! Fun story about a brother and sister in Trelfdom, who experience anything and everything that can go wrong while trying to throw a grand jam party.
December 27, 2024
Teaflet and Roog Make a Mess: very imaginative! Adorable, humorous characters. The use of needle-felting for some of the illustrations was really cool. This would be a great choice for a parent and a kid to read together. Let's hope there are more stories forthcoming about this setting!
Want to read
April 8, 2021Note: I received a digital review copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.
May 16, 2021
Cute book for beginning readers full of Amazing photographs that are done by the author! Love this author& loved the penderwicks series!
July 11, 2021
3.5 stars - the illustrations are hand created by the illustrator but the story just didn't work for me
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews