Ruby Valentine Saves the Day

December 13, 2010
In Ruby's second outing, she and her cockatoo, Lovebird, prepare for their Valentine's Day party. But when a snowstorm interferes, Ruby sobs and eats ice cream in her bathrobe. Lovebird suggests, "If no one can make it here,/ let's take the party there." At this point, Ruby becomes something of a Valentine's Day anti-Grinch, sledding down the hill from her home to deliver cheer to the residents of Heartland below. Though Ruby's realization—that it's not the "presents, cards, or cake" that makes a party, but friends—feels syrupy, her enthusiasm and generosity are infectious. Ages 5–9.

December 1, 2010

K-Gr 3-The protagonist from Love, Ruby Valentine (Carolrhoda, 2006) has moved to the mountains, but her love of Valentine's Day and her quest for perfection remain unchanged. She plans a Valentine's Day party with the help of Lovebird, her pet cockatoo with pink crest feathers. Splattered with pink and hearts, the cartoon art is joyful and energetic while the landscapes have a Seuss-like quality. Ruby bakes, cleans, and wraps up her goodies to share, but the cold air rolls in and all her planning comes to naught. No one can make it up the mountain after a snowstorm so she must come up with a solution, with a little help from Lovebird. This good-natured story shows what really matters during holidays: spending time with people you love. It's a good choice for anyone looking for a girls-only Valentine's Day story with a clearly stated message about sharing time rather than money.-Sara Lissa Paulson, American Sign Language and English Lower School PS 347, New York City

Copyright 2010 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

January 1, 2011
Preschool-G In this follow-up to Love, Ruby Valentine (2006), as another Valentines Day approaches, Ruby and her cockatoo, Lovebird, fix up the house and send out party invites. When snow keeps the guests from getting up the hill, bird and girl set out by sled to take the party to town. The simple rhyme scheme gets a bit tedious, but the story is as warm as the fire over which people are roasting marshmallows at the books conclusion. Avrils ink-and-and-watercolor pictures, highlighted with pinks and reds, go for both tenderness and giggles and get readers into the spirit of this special day.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2011, American Library Association.)