Love, Ruby Valentine
Kindergarten-Grade 4–Ruby Valentine and her pet cockatoo live in a cottage with heart-shaped trees outside. During the countdown to Valentine's Day, they make glittery cards, bake heart-shaped cookies and cakes, and prepare goody bags tied up with red bows. The day before the celebration, Ruby and Lovebird fill up their red wagon, ready to distribute gifts to all the townspeople. Before turning in, the hopeless romantic makes a huge heart-shaped sign that reads, Love, Ruby Valentine and places it high on the wagon. Everything is ready. Then, after all of their hard work, the child and her pet sleep through the big day. At Lovebird's urging, she pulls her wagon through town, delivering her gifts anyway. In the town square, Ruby stands atop an equestrian statue and apologizes for being late. The townspeople thank and hug her for being so kind and for turning an ordinary day into a celebration. Ruby realizes that you don't have to wait until Valentine's Day to say I love you! The mainly pastel watercolor-and-collage illustrations are full of humor and convey Ruby's joy and industriousness. This story, told in rhyme, should take a prominent place on Valentine's Day bookshelves.–Linda Staskus, Parma Regional Library, OHCopyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.