Tea Time With Tasha Tudor
By Mary Emma Allen
When someone mentions the custom of afternoon tea, my thoughts
often go back to sharing tea with children’s author Tasha Tudor
in her country home many years ago. I was an aspiring young
writer at that time, and this well known children’s
author/illustrator invited me to meet with her to discuss writing.
Why she decided to make time for me in her busy schedule, I'll never
know.
However I'll always be grateful for that lovely afternoon and the
encouragement Tasha
Tudor gave me which kept me going when I sometimes wondered if I'd become
a
published children’s author/illustrator.
Tea at the Fireplace
Tasha Tudor heated the water in a tea kettle hung on a crane in the
large fireplace of her rustic living room. Once the water had boiled
and we waited for the tea to steep in the pot, the author made
cinnamon toast on a rack over the fire.
When my parents, who were visiting from another state,
stopped to pick me up after their drive around the countryside,
Tasha Tudor insisted they come in for a cup of tea.
That was one of the highlights of my mom’s life, too...tea with an
author.
As I've become a published author, I've always remembered the
time Tasha Tudor spent with me that fall afternoon and have tried
to encourage beginningwriters, too. She's an example of a author
who unselfishly gave of her time and knowledge to a
fledgling writer.
Her encouragement, and words of caution about the tough times, helped
keep me going when
I wondered if I'd ever be published.
(c)2001 Mary Emma Allen
About the Author
Mary Emma Allen is a children's writer and illustrator. Many of her
stories for youngsters appear in "Tales of Adventure & Discovery." She
also has illustrated a coloring book to accompany the anthology. Mary
Emma also teaches workshops on "Writing for Children."
More information about her work is available at her web site
or you can email her at me.allen@juno.com.
Recommended Reading
Our history on Tasha
Books Available:
Pumpkin Moonshine: Tasha's first
published book-available on Amazon.com. (click title).
The Private World of Tasha Tudor
by Tasha Tudor, Richard W. Brown (Contributor)
Available on Amazon.com. (click title).
Tasha Tudor's Garden
by Tovah Martin, Richard W. Brown (Photographer)
HIGHLY Recommended! Available on Amazon.com (click title).
Drawn from New England
by Bethany Tudor
Biography of Tasha's life written by her daughter
Available on Amazon.com. (click title).
The Tasha Tudor Cookbook:
Recipes and Reminiscences from Corgi Cottage
by Tasha Tudor
Available on Amazon.com. (click title).
