Ida Mae Tutweiler and the Traveling Tea Party

by Ginnie Siena Bivona and Cleo Qian

Woven through the tapestry of a lifelong friendship is the story of quiet, reserved Ida Mae Tutweiler and flamboyant daytime TV star Jane Tetley. This book is about life, death, hope and the comfort... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1928704158
• ISBN13: 9781928704157
• Release Date: April 2000
• Publisher: Authorlink
• Length: 148 Pages
• Weight: 0.50 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 5.6" x 8.4"

Customer Reviews

I loved this book!

IDA MAE TUTWEILER & HER TRAVELING TEA PARTY is about women: mothers and daughters, sisters, friends. This book will make you laugh, it will make you cry and it certainly will make you think. Ultimately, the story distills to a psalm showcasing the power of love, set against the ritual of an old-fashioned tea party. Author Ginnie Bivona even includes some lovely recipes for the readers' own teas.

Great Summer Read

You'll laugh- you'll cry- but you won't put this book down until you finish! In this charming novel,Ida Mae tells her story through diary entries that span from a ten-year old's view to adulthood. Her best friend,Jane Tetley,(who is her opposite in personality in every way), weaves in and out of her life-but never truly disappears. They encourage and console each other-and always with a soothing pot of tea between them. Don't miss this charming story of the deep abiding friendship between two friends-and don't forget your hanky!

For The Love of Friendship

Long after I had finished the final page, Ida Mae has stayed with me. This small jewel of a story revolves around a number of inter-related themes--romantic love, the love of mothers and daughters, the rites of passage through this crazy life, the connection we feel with those to whom we can confess. But it is this last--the pure though convoluted relationships we forge with our friends that weaves through this story with such subtle power. If you have ever had a best friend, you will instantly connect with this book. And, if you're lucky enough, you may even feel the whispers of that friendship brush across your skin while you read.

Ida Mae Tutweiler and the Traveling Tea Party

Bivona's novel is lyrical, funny, bittersweet, and joyous--all at the same time. It approaches the subject of death and friendship over the comfort of a nice, hot cup of tea and good conversation. The author's use of diary excerpts is an engaging technique providing the history of two women who shared much during their lives. I'm sure that once you find Ida Mae on your bookshelf, you'll read it again and again.

Tea and Company

The title of this book snagged me from the word go. There was something about the name "Tutweiler" and the thought of a "traveling tea party" that I found instantly appealing. If you delight in the ritual of tea time with all the trimmings (china cups, Earl Grey, and hot scones), then you must read this book. If you never had a proper cup of tea in your life, then you really must read this book, for the traveling tea party is indeed a moveable feast. Always in the background of the lives of Ida Mae and Jane, a "good hot cuppa" becomes the silent partner to the confessions, laughter, triumphs and failures that only best friends can understand. Seemingly polar opposites, Ida and Jane will remind you that there really is no rhyme or reason for friendship beyond the fact that you truly care about what happens to another person. So plonk yourself down into a cosy armchair and get ready for a great read and a good cry. When you're done, you can make tracks for the store, 'cause after you've read the recipes at the end, your mouth will probably be watering for one of those ham and asparagus roll-ups... to say nothing of "the deepest, darkest secret" of Ida Mae's life. Just remember to share it with your best friend.