There are few children's illustrators I enjoy more than Eloise Wilkin, but, I have to say, this picture is just scaring me. I mean, how old is that child? Three? Four, at the most? Why is her hostess pouring boiling tea directly into her teetering teacup? She could at least advise the hapless tot to prop the saucer on her knee for some support. And the poor kid looks a bit spaced-out, doesn't she? Perhaps, it's her tenth cup of tea.
(Click on the picture within this post for a larger image.)
Oh, Alice! I love her work too. The girls and I have "How Many Kisses Good Night" memorized.
You've made an excellent observation about this picture.
Posted by: Cay | January 13, 2006 at 09:48 AM
Ah, those were different times. The tea was not so hot, and the kids had better balance. Besides, that child was holding so still for her portrait, she couldn't even drink the tea.
Posted by: MacBeth | January 13, 2006 at 09:29 PM
Have a Happy Saint Valintines Day with lots of love! You can not trace me, you can not find me, Guess Who!!!
Posted by: Guess who! | January 18, 2006 at 02:13 PM