This book is one of our new family favorites! It’s energetic and depicts a healthy and strong female character, but has enough sparkle to dazzle any fancy mademoiselle. I think that this book is clever- humor is such a great way to introduce, teach and encourage concepts to preschoolers. Glasser’s illustrations have captured a wonderfully tenacious little girl with an inner (very inner) essence of a princess. It definitely conveys the importance of manners. Ruby has been invited to have tea with the Queen, but does she have the manners needed for such a special occasion? Sarah The Duchess of York Ferguson has put together simple and concise text in a very light-hearted way. Ruby is really fun, considerably energetic, and pretty focused on her own essential needs, so much so, that she seems sweetly oblivious of the need for manners.

Once we got reading, she soon realized that this character, Ruby, is unique. At first glance, my three-year-old daughter proclaimed with much excitement, “It’s Fancy Nancy!” When I told her it was a book about a girl named Ruby she gave me the kind of look that would suggest I’m a little bit dense-if you’re a parent, I am sure you know the kind of look I’m talking about. That’s because they share the same best-selling illustrator, Robin Preiss Glasser. Fancy Nancy)? No, it’s Ruby! Nancy and Ruby share something in common, they look pretty similar. Wait a minute … is that Nancy Clancy (a.k.a. Publisher: Simon & Schuster/Paula Wiseman Books (September 23, 2008) (Aug.By Sarah The Duchess of York Ferguson (Author), Robin Preiss Glasser (Illustrator) Illustrator’s agent: Steven Malk, Writers House.

Although Madame Natalie tells Rosie that “practice and confidence” are responsible for her rapid turnaround in class, readers are still left with the disappointing message that it’s all about the shoes.

Rosie is discouraged until a new pair of ballet shoes gives her the boost she needs. But when her mother decides it’s time for ballet school, Rosie has a tough time keeping up with her more graceful classmates, and her missteps are amusingly portrayed. Determined to be a prima ballerina, Rosie wears her tutu all the time, even while playing soccer and climbing trees. Rendered in mixed media and set against a white backdrop, the illustrations consist primarily of spare images of Rosie in constant motion-sliding down a banister (with her toes pointed, of course) and exuberantly dancing with her stuffed bear. Goode’s (the Louise the Big Cheese books) sprightly, wispy art is a show stealer, however, conveying Rosie’s personality with ease and humor. Ferguson (the Little Red series) introduces a vivacious aspiring dancer in this mild, somewhat pat story.

Tea for ruby by sarah ferguson