the story of: alice

This month, the story that I've been thinking about and sharing in different ways is Alice in Wonderland. To be completely honest, I've never read the entire book. I struggle with reading fantasy (I can watch and listen to it, just not read it), and this story falls into that category. Still, I love it and have seen several versions, and take in picture book retellings.

Usually, I do my own retelling of a story that I share, but this time is a little different. Today I want to share my earliest memory of Alice.

I was fairly young when I first saw Disney's Alice in Wonderland. Maybe around 5 years old. I had probably been exposed to characters and elements from the movie earlier, but this was the first time I watched the film. And what do we have in the story of Alice?


A curious girl who eats and drinks some unusual things, causing some crazy changes.


Lots of animals who talk and sing. Oh, and some flowers with faces, and lots of unexpected happenings.


The strangest tea party you've ever seen, including a drunk mouse.

But those aren't the things that stuck with me. Those things all faded away and there was one character who got to me:


The queen. She was horrible! At least as scary as the witch in Snow White. It was her famous line that really got to me: "Off with her head!"

I had Queen of Hearts nightmares where I was being chased by her, and I could hear her voice. There were expanses of checkerboard floors, and lots of running. It's still quite vivid to me now, and for years I avoided the story altogether.

Thankfully, a friend introduced me to the artwork of Mary Blair, and I gave Alice another chance. I'll still remember my early childhood every time I watch or read, but it's all happy now. And because it's become a favorite, I thought we might celebrate the story of Alice with a little tea party!

Next week, I'm hosting a tea party here on the blog, and you're invited! There are some truly lovely people who will be contributing, and it's going to be a wonderful time.

I'm telling you this now, because I'd love for you to participate too! Of course, you can come to the blog and read, share comments, enter giveaways, and enjoy the party...but that's not all.

You can also share a tea party post on your own blog (with a craft, recipe, ideas, etc.), and let me know about it. I'll be posting links to your tea party posts so that everyone can visit! You've got a week to think about what you might do for the party, so get planning!

This is going to be a great big virtual tea party, and I promise, there will be no drunk mice and no one will lose their head!