Ruby Valentine and the Sweet Surprise

October 13, 2014
There’s trouble brewing in Ruby Valentine’s third picture book as rivalry erupts between her pet cockatoo, Lovebird, and her new cat, Sweetie Pie. While Ruby snuggles up with Sweetie Pie in bed, Lovebird plots to concoct the perfect Valentine’s Day for Ruby, in order to regain his place as “number one pet.” Avril’s kinetic mixed-media cartooning shows the two pets going neck-to-neck to outdo each other, their sweet sides lost in a swirl of streamers, hearts, roses, and exploding cakes. Predictably, Ruby teaches the rivals that “There’s room in my heart for two,” yet the expressions of contempt that Avril conjures on Sweetie Pie and Lovebird’s faces offer a memorable reminder of the deep emotions associated with Valentine’s Day. Ages 5–9. Illustrator’s agent: Bernadette Szost, Portfolio Solutions.

October 1, 2014

PreS-Gr 2-Heartland residents Ruby and her pet Lovebird are back with another Valentine's Day tale. This time, Lovebird is dismayed upon the arrival of a new addition to the family. A kitten named Sweetie Pie appears to be the "new apple of Ruby's eye," and there's nothing like jealousy to make household tensions escalate. Driven to reclaim her former status as number one pet, Lovebird plans all kinds of special treats for Ruby, but a competitive and not-so-sweet Sweetie Pie tries to outdo each gesture. A brawl ensues, and it takes Ruby's gentle reassurance set things right and convince everyone that she has plenty of love to go around. Avril's pink and red cartoon illustrations capture the spirit of the occasion and are very entertaining. Friedman delivers an important message, though the rhyme scheme is forced and awkward at times. Similar in theme to Sam Lloyd's Mr. Pusskins and Little Whiskers (S. & S., 2008), this title will be a useful addition where holiday books are in demand or to address the needs of any child trying to adapt to a new sibling.-Gloria Koster, West School, New Canaan, CT

Copyright 2014 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

October 1, 2014
Popular Ruby Valentine is back, and she has quite a dilemma on her hands. Will beloved pet Lovebird and new cat Sweetie Pie understand that Ruby has enough love for both of them? Friedman sets the scene with snappy rhyming couplets: "At the Heartland railway station, / Ruby hugged Lovebird good-bye. / She said she'd just be gone a day- / but what she didn't say was why." When Ruby returns home, her pet bird meets the new "baby kitty." The young feline grows quickly and occupies a lot of Ruby's time. Lovebird isn't happy. She "missed the good old days / when she and Ruby were a pair." Jealousy fuels a competition between the two pets. They both want to impress Ruby with wonderful surprises for her favorite holiday, but quickly, things escalate to an all-out brawl, with fur and feathers flying. When Ruby happens upon the tussle, she ends the conflict by declaring she has "room in my heart for two." Soon the trio cleans up, tucks into some snacks and finally curls up together to watch a movie. Avril's illustrations are dominated by Valentine hues but still capture comic details about the emotions and energetic antics of the characters. A good choice for Valentine's Day as well as for kids who are coping with a new member of their household, whether animal or human. (Picture book. 4-8)

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November 15, 2014
Preschool-G When Ruby Valentine boards a train for a short trip to the city, her pretty pet bird, Lovebird, never suspects that Ruby will return with a fluffy kitten named Sweetie Pie. Suddenly, Lovebird has a competitor for her girl's attention. She decides to re-establish herself as first in Ruby's heart by going all-out for Valentine's Day. But Sweetie Pie the kitten keeps one-upping her, and when Ruby returns from Valentine's Day shopping, she finds a very unloving brawl. After she assures Sweetie Pie and Lovebird that there's room in my heart for two, they tidy up, have a meal together, and watch a movie. Friedman's soothing rhymes about the jealousy between the two pets is a clever, oblique way to address new baby anxiety, and many soon-to-be siblings may appreciate the reassurances at the end. Avril's charmingly off-kilter, energetic watercolor-and-pencil illustrations in a holiday-appropriate palette of reds, pinks, and chocolate brown save the story from too-saccharine sweetness, and it's still plenty sweet for a Valentine's Day read-aloud.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2014, American Library Association.)

January 1, 2015
Ruby Valentine returns, and her pet bird isn't pleased when Ruby brings home a new kitten. The pets' competition to outValentine's Day each other to impress Ruby is amusing and deserves better than the too-pat resolution ("There's room in my heart for two"). The verses are all rhyme and no rhythm; more attention seems to have been paid to the heart-festooned illustrations.

(Copyright 2015 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)