The very beginning of December is probably an odd time for a review of a book about Valentine’s Day, but I have had this particular book (and others!) in my to-be-reviewed stack for far too long.  Besides, it’s odd for me to actually review holiday books early enough for anyone to benefit from the reviews (that year, at least! ), so just consider this a head-start on Valentine’s Day planning!

Carolrhoda Books, a divison of Lerner Publishing Group, sent me Ruby Valentine Saves the Day by Laurie Freidman way back when it was still about 198 degrees in the shade here in the sweltering South.  Now that the temps have dropped fifty degrees or so, I’m more in the mood for this delightful story about a little girl named Ruby Valentine.  Ruby, who adores her namesake holiday, makes over-the-top plans for a Valentine’s Day bash.  When a snowstorm derails her plans and any hopes that her guests can make it to her home “high above the hills of Heartland,” Ruby does what any go-getter would do: she takes the party to her friends.  Of course, this is a formidable task, and even with Ruby’s can-do attitude it is not without its problems.  Still, Ruby learns a valuable lesson about what celebrations are really all about, and all’s well in the end. 

Friedman is a talented author who manages to write this picture book in rhyme without allowing it to slip too much into predictability and sing-song.  Mind you, this is not heavy stuff, but there’s enough action in the story to keep the attention of my girls who typically don’t enjoy poetry.  Lynne Avril‘s pictures are cartoonish and fun.  I particularly like how she works hearts into most of her illustrations (heart-shaped clouds, etc.).  Avril has quite a list of works to her credit, including the new Amelia Bedelia book which my girls and I still haven’t read. 

Ruby Valentine Saves the Day will make a fun read in a couple of months!    It reminds me a little bit of another of my favorite Valentine’s Day books–The Ballad of Valentine (my review here).  If you’re making a list, these are two titles that it would be a shame to miss. 

You can go back to your eggnog now. 

(Thanks to Lerner Publishing Group for the chance to review this book.  They sent me the book; I wrote what I thought about it.  It’s a good deal all the way around.  )