Sometimes you have to go back to basics.
When I herd that Theresa Reed was doing a new Tarot deck for kids, I was intrigued. I love her work and her contributions to Tarot but I was insanely curious about how she would do a deck of Tarot cards for kids. I pre-ordered it mostly sight unseen and I have to say that I am enchanted and so so happy!
I’m often asked what Tarot deck would be good for kids and while there are a few of them, there has never been a deck designed primarily for kids. With art by Kailey Whitman and the book by Theresa Reed, this is a deck that anyone, even grown-up kids such as myself, will love. I love everything about this deck.
The guidebook by Theresa Reed is so well done. Each card is given a brief description using language that kids can understand and, even better, it doesn’t talk down to them. There are also journal prompts for each card that are designed to get kids thinking intuitively and creatively about the cards that they are drawing for themselves. There is even a brief introduction about what Tarot is and where it came from. There are three different spreads included and also a short section on how to ask good questions of the cards. Theresa Reed gives new Tarot readers just enough so that they are confidant in beginning their journey and encourages them to use their intuition. It’s a beautifully written little guidebook.
The art by Kailey Whitman is so beautiful and whimsical. I know that the deck is directed towards children, but the art just pulls you in regardless of your age. It’s diverse in terms of race and gender and what I love most about that is that any child can look at this deck and find themselves within the cards. Representation matters and it’s just done so effortlessly in Tarot for Kids. The art is beautiful and fresh and full of life and just makes me so happy, even the more negative cards. I love that not everything is given a positive spin, that the deck doesn’t turn away from the negative.
Some of the cards have been renamed. The Devil becomes The Bully, the Lovers become Best Friend, Temperance becomes Balance, Death becomes Change, The Heirophant becomes the Rules, the High Priestess becomes The Moon Queen and the Hanged Man becomes Patience. I love that they did this. It matches the feel of the deck and makes the meaning of the cards easier to understand. I also appreciate that Theresa notes what the cards are normally called in the guidebook. I love how it doesn’t gloss over any of the meaning and gives another angle to the cards for more experienced readers.
The box and cardstock are top notch. It’s a tuck box, but it’s really thick and well put together, perfect for those little hands I always struggle with tuck boxes, but this one was so well designed. The cards are a dream! They are overly large, much easier for those young eyes (or older ones!) to see the pictures. The cardstock is nice and thick and will be able to take a lot of wear. They are big cards and while I can shuffle them with little difficulty, it would be a lot easier for kids to lay the cards out on the floor or table and pick a card that calls to them. Theresa Reed even gives tips for shuffling in the guidebook. It’s a beautifully designed deck that is a pleasure to hold and look through.
The little kid in me is so happy with Tarot for Kids. It’s such a lovely surprise and I found myself enchanted by this lovely deck. I can’t wait to use it and to get to know the cards some more and see what stories I can tell. A superb deck for kids of every age!
Learn more here: https://www.thetarotlady.com/tarot-for-kids/
There aren’t enough words to say how much I love this deck, but I’m certainly going to try.
Ryder Wait Smith deck that is so well known, keeping true to the symbolism, but making the deck her own. It truly is a gorgeous deck and seeing all body shapes and sizes was another plus. I loved the 2 of Cups. It’s the first time that I’ve seen two gay men in a card. It’s the first time that I’ve seen myself in a deck and it’s so wonderful. Addison Duke has done incredible work on the colouring, making the art appear deeper and more vibrant.
Spirit of the Wolf 