Tigers and Tea With Toppy

From Barbara Kerley, author of the Caldecott Honor Book The Dinosaurs of Waterhouse Hawkins, comes an enchanting true story that marks her return to science and natural history!

An NPR Best Book of the YearA Booklist Notable BookA Junior Library Guild Selection* "A powerful story of following one's dreams and passions, despite life's challenges." --School Library Journal, starred reviewRhoda loves spending time with Toppy. He is not only her beloved grandpa, but also the world-famous wildlife artist Charles R. Knight! Every outing with Toppy -- from visits to the American Museum of Natural History and the Central Park Zoo to tea parties at The Plaza Hotel -- is filled with fun and adventure.Lovers of animals, art, natural history, and New York Citywill relish this vivacious and winsomely depicted true story. Presented through Rhoda’s eyes, it celebrates the enchantment of scientific inquiry, a tender grandparent-grandchild bond, and the vision of a pioneering artist who opened our eyes to the wonders of the ancient world.Included in this book are more than a dozen of Charles R. Knight's original paintings and drawings, interspersed with Matte Stephens's winsome illustrations.

Barbara Kerley is a two-time Sibert Honoree and a Boston Globe-Horn Book Honoree whose award-winning biographies include What to Do About Alice?, The Extraordinary Mark Twain (According to Susy), Those Rebels, John & Tom, A Home for Mr. Emerson, and Eleanor Makes Her Mark, all illustrated by Edwin Fotheringham; Tigers & Tea with Toppy, illustrated by Matte Stephens; and The Dinosaurs of Waterhouse Hawkins and Walt Whitman: Words for America, illustrated by Brian Selznick. Kerley's books have all been praised for their lively prose, meticulous research, and artistic presentation style. She lives in Portland, Oregon. Visit her online at barbarakerley.com.

Rhoda Knight Kalt is the granddaughter of world-famous wildlife artist Charles R. Knight. She has devoted her life to promoting her grandfather's work, and preserving his legacy. She lives in New York City.

Matte Stephens is an illustrator and a fine artist, whose work can be seen in the picture book Mr. Flux, by Kyo Maclear, and on his well-trafficked Etsy site. He lives with his wife, their two cats, and two dogs in Peterborough, New Hampshire. You can see more of his work at matteart.blogspot.com.