On behalf of Her Royal Highness the Queen of Hearts, you are officially invited to a Mad Hatter’s Tea Party in honour of the 150th anniversary of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.

Hosted by UBC’s Language and Literacy Education Department (LLED) Alumni and sponsored by the Vancouver Children’s Literature Roundtable (VCLR) and UBC Libraries, all proceeds from this Wonderland-themed celebration will benefit a local school library in need.

“A Golden Afternoon” is to take place October 17th, 2015 at the Sage Bistro on the University of British Columbia’s Vancouver campus between the hours of 12 and 2pm. The event consists of a costumed high tea, academic presentations on various aspects of Alice, poetry readings, and an indoor croquet tournament. Enjoy a stimulating afternoon of fun, games, treats and conversation made magical by the topsy-turvy loveliness of Lewis Carroll’s imagination. New wonders are waiting to be found at the Queen’s silent auction. Browse and bid on beautiful items provided by generous Vancouver businesses in support of their community’s libraries.

And that is not all. To ensure that your trip down the rabbit hole really does result in the happy loss of your head, the Queen has arranged for a particularly amusing attraction. Following the tea, guests have the option of taking a tour of The Illustrated Alice exhibition at UBC Library’s Rare Books and Special Collections and the second floor of the Irving K. Barber Learning Centre. Find yourself growing curiouser and curiouser as you make your way through an exhibit that showcases the numerous artistic reimaginings of Carroll’s classic book for children. Lose track of time watching the White Rabbit hop through 150 years of new and exciting transformations.

There you have it. I believe we have painted the rosiness of this afternoon red enough. In closing, however, the caterpillar would like to ask you one final question, a new one that he has been practicing for 150 years:

“Will YOU come?”

The Door Mouse is awaiting your knock and the Cheshire Cat can’t wait to flash you a smile. Wonderland will be made more wonderful by your presence.

So please, don’t delay! REGISTER today!

We look forward to seeing YOU there.

Sincerely,

Her Majesty’s Royal Flush