Ruby Valentine Saves the Day

By: Laurie Friedman
Publisher: Carolrhoda Books
Publication Date: November 2010
ISBN: 978-0761342137
Reviewed by: Deb Fowler
Review Date: September 2010

Ruby Valentine lived high on a hill just beyond Heartland with her beautiful cockatoo named Lovebird. Their little chalet, complete with a heart-shaped door and windows, was the perfect place for them to have a special party. Of course it wasn’t hard to guess that their favorite day of the year was none other than Valentine’s Day. Ruby and Lovebird hadn’t even unpacked all their moving boxes, but it was time to sit down, design some invitations and get ready to throw a party. The invitations were blissfully gorgeous and the envelopes even had special love stamps in the corner. When the mailman wheeled off on his bicycle with all the invitations, Ruby “hugged Lovebird with affection” and exclaimed that “they’d plan this party to perfection.”

Lovebird helped to hang the pretty pink and white dotted, lace curtains in the window and scribity scrubbed the floors clean by putting brushes on his claws. Ruby and Lovebird painted the walls (pink of course) and “they began to bake and cooked.” Ruby did the mixing while Lovebird read the directions. When the inside was tidy and bright the pair put on their scarfs and went outside to tidy up the yard. The goody bags were filled, the gifts were wrapped, and the pink crepe paper was hung. Kiss, kiss, nighty night. Everything was just perfect, but when they woke up snow had blanketed the Valentine chalet. Were Ruby and Lovebird going to have their special party or were they going to have to wait until next year to celebrate?

This delightful tale of Ruby Valentine’s most special Valentine’s Day ever will charm the reader. Everyone has a favorite holiday, but some people like Ruby simply love to “do it up big.” I loved the aura of excitement that just oozed from the pages and felt Ruby and Lovebird’s disappointment when the temperature began to dip and surprised them with an unexpected snowstorm. The artwork was nothing short of darling and had an aura of happiness and joy oozing from every page.

Quill says: If your special holiday is when you find yourself folding paper and cutting out hearts (or even if it isn’t), you’re going to love this book!