About this book

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!

Rhoda 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 City will 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.

Reviews

Distinctions and Praise for Tigers & Tea With Toppy:

An NPR Best Book of the Year
A Booklist Notable Book
A Junior Library Guild Selection

* "Not only is this a story of the tender relationship between a grandfather and granddaughter, it's also a powerful story of following one's dreams and passions, despite life's challenges." --School Library Journal, starred review

"A loving remembrance of a tender, enduring intergenerational relationship." --Kirkus Reviews

"A wealth of detail…is handled with the lightest of touches." --Publishers Weekly

"[An] appealing introduction to the groundbreaking work of American wildlife artist Charles R. Knight." --The Horn Book