New Children’s Picture Book Debuts on Amazon.com Bestseller Chart
Popular middle grade and dual timeline novelist Abby Rosser and illustrator Sara Bryson are celebrating the release of their second Amazon.com bestselling children’s picture book, Tea Time with Mrs. Jones, which released to retail on August 18, 2025, from WordCrafts Press. The charming, yet poignant, tale of imagination, aging, and dementia-related conditions debuted at the Number 2 spot on Amazon.com’s Hot New Releases in Children’s Books on Grandparents chart, as well as settling into the Number 56 spot on Amazon’s Bestsellers chart in the same category. The title also hit Number 22 on the Hot New Releases chart in the Children’s Biology Books category and Number 37 in Multigenerational Family LIfe.
“As the granddaughter and now the daughter of women diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, I can understand the fear and frustration associated with watching family members change and become people who are confused and even forget who we are,” author Abby Rosser says of her decision to write a dementia-themed story for children. “This can be especially scary for children, who, when faced with a lack of information from the adults in their life, will create their own answers to the abnormal developments around them using their limited experiences, and their conclusions are rarely accurate.”
“There are more than 7 million people in the U.S. living with Alzheimer’s, and that number is projected to nearly double in the next 25 years,” she continues. “This is actually a good news/bad news situation. The good news is that we’re living longer, but the bad news is that this disease will affect more families every year due to these longer life spans. In other words, Alzheimer’s and other dementias will continue to touch the lives of so many, so let’s talk about it.
Sara and I created Tea Time with Mrs. Jones to be a conversation starter, to be read with children so they will know it’s okay to be sad, and it’s okay to ask questions. It’s also a reminder that the older people in their families were once children just like them. Imagination and creative playtime opens the door to so many beautiful moments and cherished memories.”
“I was thrilled to have the opportunity to collaborate with Abby Rosser again!” declares illustrator Sara Bryson. “With such an endearing story of the challenges and joys of intergenerational family relationships, I felt it called for sweet and gentle illustrations. The whimsical nature of imaginary friends was also such fun to explore and express! As the readers delve into the pages of this book, I’ve included an entertaining activity: the pages with the text of the story have a border with items from the story pages. We invite children to find the objects as they read.”
Penelope doesn’t have brothers or sisters, but she’s not lonely because she has a vivid imagination and lots of imaginary friends to keep her company.
After living a long and full life, she goes to live with her daughter’s family where she has a special bond with her granddaughter, Penny. But Penelope sometimes forgets who Penny is, and that makes Penny sad.
Penny’s mom helps her understand that sometimes older folks might forget many things, but they are still family, and they are still worthy of love and acceptance.
And a tea party is always welcome!
Almost everyone has an Alzheimer’s or dementia-related story. So many families, including my own,are touched by this challenging condition, so this children’s picture book is certainly close to my heart,” said Mike Parker, publisher at WordCrafts Press. “Through a gentle story and whimsical illustrations, Abby and Sara have created something really special; something with the unique ability to cross generational lines and create an environment where little ones are free to ask some of the hard questions, like ‘why doesn’t grandma know who I am?'”
About the Author
Abby Rosser makes her home in Murfreesboro, Tennessee with her husband and four kids. When she’s not writing, Abby enjoys reading, watching movies, baking (and eating) desserts and being outside…but not all at the same time. And she loves imagining stories (often when’s she’s doing most of the above).
Visit Abby online at: abbyrosser.net
About the Illustrator
Sara Bryson started her teaching career in Metro Nashville Public Schools teaching elementary, middle and high school art. Being an artist, she is passionate about the beauty, creation, and impact of art throughout time and thoroughly enjoys experiencing art and art activities with people of all ages. She is the mother of three beautiful children, and her husband is in education as well. Her family moved to Murfreesboro, Tennessee where she is involved in her church family, teaches art, illustrates, and paints.
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