She should be the Talented Ms. T., because “talented” is a description that fits her to a T.

Kimberly Thompson of Downers Grove is a teacher, tutor, storyteller, children’s author, community volunteer and hostess of children’s tea parties. This last reference, to yet another “T,” is but one more reason she deserves her new title.

She and her husband, David, have been residents of Downers Grove since 1994. They have two girls, 10-year-old Manon and 7-year-old Cosette. Thompson home-schools her daughters and is well-qualified to do so with an undergraduate degree in education and journalism and a graduate degree in curriculum instruction and design. She also tutors other children.

Thompson’s storytelling abilities are partly a natural outgrowth of her past involvement in theater, but are even more a result of her work at a preschool.

“I developed and directed a preschool program in Naperville for eight years which focused on teaching children how to visually and interactively process the joy of reading,” she said.

Although she has made appearances for groups outside her home, Thompson primarily combines her storytelling with the children’s tea parties she hosts.

“I live in an 1889 Victorian home, which lends itself to this kind of activity. My passion is for fiction,” Thompson said. “We have over 4,000 children’s books at home.

“I choose books appropriate for whatever theme we’re using and share them with my audience, using different voices for the characters,” she added. “I also dress up in costuming gathered from thrift shops and other places over the years and include a related craft activity.”

One special tea she held this winter was a Snow Angel Tea in honor of a young girl’s recently deceased grandmother. Her Halloween Tea features a Halloween tree that reaches her 9-1/2-foot ceiling.

Another popular theme is the Samantha American Girl Doll Tea, usually booked as a birthday party, Thompson said. For a magic-related tea, a magician actually released a live dove, which flew around the home.

“We actually do serve tea unless something different, like hot cocoa, is requested,” Thompson said. “The guests place linen napkins on their laps and follow proper etiquette for the occasion.

“My girls help with all the planning and the decorating and setting of the table. They also have been dressed as Pilgrims, Indians, mice and fairies on different occasions,” she added. “This is a fun activity for us — more a hobby than a business.”

The Thompsons hold a few teas each month. People mostly find out about it by word of mouth, according to the coordinator.

With her strong interest in children’s literature, it is not surprising that she is making her own contribution to the field. She has written a charming story called “Toulouse is on the Loose” about a turkey and its adventures visiting national landmarks. The book is being illustrated by Chris Easy of Wheaton, a member of the DuPage Art League. This story also reflects Thompson’s interest in history.

As a community volunteer, she has been involved in saving the 1846 Blodgett House. She also is an active supporter of Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital’s SHARE group, which helps families with difficult births and infant deaths.

Thompson feels that all her interests and activities play a key role — a “tossed salad” as opposed to a melting-pot blend — in making her life what it is. Dressing would be superfluous.