Ruby and Bubbles (review)
2006; Johns Hopkins University Press; Volume: 59; Issue: 8 Linguagem: Inglês
10.1353/bcc.2006.0243
ISSN1558-6766
Autores ResumoReviewed by: Georgie's Moon Elizabeth Bush Woodworth, Chris Georgie's Moon. Farrar, 2006 [176p] ISBN 0-374-33306-8$16.00 Reviewed from galleys Ad Gr. 5-8 Stylish Ruby has a full plate—she's a working mother of twins (dolls, that is), with a full-time job in lemonade sales and a cardboard-box-TV talk show with a loyal studio audience of toys. Her gruesome neighbor Bratty Hatty, with friend Mean Maureen ever in tow, taunts the hard-working soul, so she takes a break for some retail therapy. Spying her heart's desire in a store, "Ruby walked in with a dream, and out with a bird!" Bubbles the bird fits right in to Ruby's world, but a bird-day party turns to disaster when Bratty Hatty meanly points out that Bubbles can't fly. After some creative coaching, Ruby turns to the library and realizes that Bubbles is in good company as a flightless bird and even better company as her faithful best friend. Winstead's picture-book debut features a sparkly, witty text and illustrations to match. Lithe and winsome figures are set on crisp white backgrounds with strong color boldly complemented by stylish black; Ruby has an Olive Oyl gangliness with Swee'pea charm. Bratty Hatty is appropriately snaggle-toothed and snarly with a saucy attitude, and Mean Maureen has the henchman slouch down pat. The illustrations are laced throughout with subtle snatches of delicate humor; children will especially get a giggle out of the T-Rex-like monster with cat's-eye glasses and pop-bead necklace that Ruby "hires" to babysit her twins. The fearless but flightless Bubbles is the perfect quirky complement to Ruby's sweet, eccentric aesthetic; though both are slightly and delightfully out of step with the more mundane of their species, they are sure to find kindred spirits among audiences blessed with their own sense of avant-garde whimsy. Copyright © 2006 The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois
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