Review by Booklist Review
In this follow-up to Love, Ruby Valentine (2006), as another Valentine's 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 book's conclusion. Avril's 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.--Cooper, Ilene Copyright 2010 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
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. (Nov.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by School Library Journal Review
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 (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Horn Book Review
In this Love, Ruby Valentine sequel, Ruby and her pet bird, Lovebird, prepare for a Valentine's Day party at their mountaintop home. A snowstorm deters their guests, but then Lovebird has an idea that saves the day. Friedman's undisciplined rhymes rarely scan, but the story line and pink-dominant, lace-heavy art will speak to Fancy Nancy fans. (c) Copyright 2011. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
