Dome’Loki introduced me to Kay O’Neill’s The Tea Dragon Society through her Cannonball Read review. The adorable cover won me over immediately. I was so taken with it that I impulsively supported the Chamomile plush Kickstarter campaign without ever reading the books. I couldn’t decide which dragon I wanted, so I simply ordered all of them with the first book. After several months, they finally arrived and made my day!
This children’s book is the first in a series. It introduces us to Greta who studies how to be a Blacksmith from her parents. One day, she finds a lost green tea dragon and returns it to the tea shop owner Hesekiel. The owner invites Greta back to learn more about the dragons. Through her visits, she meets Hesekiel’s partner Erik and a young girl named Minette. Through detailed illustrations, the reader uncovers the history of the tea dragon society and how to care for these sweet animals. When properly brewed, tea from the dragons can reveal the memories of the caretaker and its dragon. Over a few cups of tea, we learn how the shop owners fell in love after joining quests together. They have since retired from the warrior life to run the tea shop. The book closes with Greta adopting a dragon of her own (of course). After which, they all decide to officially re-establish the tea dragon society after many years without one.
What an adorable and inspiring book that promotes love, patience, and curiosity. I fully want to join the society myself and tend a dragon. I love how it encourages the preservation of memories and passing on artful skills to others. Although this was written for children, I found it equally entertaining as an adult. The colorful illustrations are magnificent! I can’t wait to see what adventures Greta and her new friend, Minette, get into in future books.
I highly recommend this to children of all ages, tea lovers, fantasy readers, and fans of drawn art. If like me, you must have this book or a tea dragon plush too, browse her author shop here.
Read more of my musings and previous reviews on my blog.
