Tea Party Parade; Nick Sharratt

Nick Sharratt’s first book for Barrington Stoke was Splash Day, a read that he wrote after being inspired by a day of water fun at a school in Brighton. Sharratt’s second book for the publisher is once again inspired by a school and another event and the outcome is this very ‘sweet’ read.

All the children in class one are excited. It’s their turn to take part in the Children’s Parade and their parade is going to be one that is good enough to eat. Costumes have been made and the playground is covered with tasty treats that are just waiting to be worn. Soon, Swiss rolls will be rolling, sponge cakes will be spinning, jam tarts will be banging and tea cups will be spinning. All that’s needed now is for Mr. Flack to blow his whistle. Let’s get this party started… 

Acclaimed author and illustrator, Nick Sharratt, adds another delightful read to the early chapter book series produced by the brilliant Barrington Stoke. Tea Party Parade is a bright and vibrant story of fun times and plenty of delicious cakes.

The book takes its inspiration from the author’s memory of seeing children on a school playground dressed as slices of cake. Like the children in this story, the children that Sharratt saw were going to be part of the Children’s Parade that opens the annual Brighton Festival. After reading this, children will be begging their own teachers for a chance to dress up as a piece of cake. I quite fancy being a doughnut with pink icing and rainbow sprinkles.

The story is told through a mix of short sentences and some delightful rhymes making for an ideal read for emerging readers - I particularly like the teacher’s who are rhymed with the things that they are dressed up in. There is minimal text on many pages and the story can easily be followed just by looking at the illustrations which are bright and colourful and include children of different ethnicities and a child in a wheelchair.

Although not as text heavy as some of the other reads in the ‘Little Gems’ series, it still makes for an enjoyable, fun and very sweet story. True to Barrington Stoke form, this read is printed in dyslexia friendly font and on tinted paper ensuring the book can be accessed by every child.

Huge thanks to the lovely peeps at Barrington Stoke for this delightful book.

Recommended for 5+.