Tea for Ruby (Paula Wiseman Books) (Hardcover)

by Sarah The Duchess of York Ferguson (Author), Robin Preiss Glasser (Illustrator)

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal
PreSchool-Grade 2—Another celebrity-authored book about manners. Princess-obsessed Ruby receives a card inviting her to have tea on Sunday with the Queen. As she rushes to tell everyone about her forthcoming engagement, family members, teachers, and friends remind her to adhere to various social graces such as saying "please" and "thank you," not interrupting, and chewing with her mouth closed. The story is simple and clever, and not at all didactic. Glasser paints Ruby as an impetuous, rosy-cheeked girl with a creative imagination and lots of charm. The playful drawings depict an excited Ruby shouting and pushing to tell everyone her news while imagining herself as a proper young lady wearing frilly gowns in elaborately drawn palace settings. Even the lettering for "The Queen" becomes increasingly ornate as Ruby's anticipation grows. She's not disappointed when her hostess turns out to be Grandma. This book will fill a need for girls who can't get enough books about princesses in pink.—Martha Simpson, Stratford Library Association, CT
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Product Description
That Ruby! Wherever she goes, table cloths accidentally pull dishes to the floor, flowers get trampled and spaghetti somehow end up in her hair. You can't take Ruby anywhere! One sunny morning, the postman brings Ruby an amazing invitation to have tea with -- the Queen! Ruby had better polish her manners and quickly. Will Ruby really be ready in time?

Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York, and Robin Preiss Glasser know a thing or two about the importance of manners and poise and being ladylike. In Tea For Ruby, they have created the irrepressible Ruby, whose antics and foibles with touch readers' hearts as she tries her very best to do things correctly. In the end, she knows she is loved for who she is, and that she will always be a princess, royal or not!

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4-8
  
• Hardcover: 40 pages
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster/Paula Wiseman Books (September 23, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1416954198
• ISBN-13: 978-1416954194
• Product Dimensions: 10.7 x 10.6 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #12,483 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Funny and Fun to Read, October 1, 2008

By	V. Nelson (Wilmette, IL USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

PURE JOY! If you have to -- and with children, you do, indeed, have to -- read a book over and over again, you want one that brings joy each and everytime to both the audience and the reader (how often have you tried to turn two or three pages together at the same time and your child reminds you, "No, you skipped a part!"). But the illustrations of Robin Preiss Glasser, of FANCY NANCY fame, always keep you entertained and the breezy copy in this new book by the Duchess of York, are a joy read. It's a manners book, sure, but it is a romp, with a charming ending and a lot of laughs as Ruby -- based, I'd guess, on high-energy Sarah Ferguson herself as a little girl -- learns the proper way to behave when she's invited to tea with the Queen.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars QUEEN FOR A DAY ?, October 4, 2008

By	Gail Cooke (TX, USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 10 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)    (COMMUNITY FORUM 04)

Young Ruby is a bit of a disaster. She doesn't mean to be, it's just that she believes fingers were made before forks. So, it's easy for food not only to wind up in her mouth but also in her hair. She doesn't have much use for napkins, and she talks with her mouth full.

Nonetheless, she is adorable and absolutely over the top when she receives an invitation to have tea with the Queen. Obviously, Ruby's manners need some polishing before sitting down with her majesty. So, everyone who knows her has a bit of advice- "Ruby, I hope you won't interrupt...I hope you'll sit up straight...I hope you won't shout," etc. All of this is a great deal for her to absorb.

Finally, the big day arrives. Young readers will be surprised at what it's like to have tea with the Queen.

Robin Preiss Glasser's illustrations are irresistible, filling every page with color. She's a generous illustrator and exuberantly captures all of Ruby's preparations.

Gail Cooke

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Spring Board, November 18, 2008

By	Joan - See all my reviews

Great for a spring board to a discussion on basic manners for kids. Speaks of welcoming guests, avoiding interruptions and not talking with you mouth full. Very colorful and beautiful, though busy, illustrations.