Tea for Ruby

by Sarah Ferguson

Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York, and Robin Preiss Glasser have created the most adorable picture book about a little girl called Ruby who, try as she might, can't be as well-mannered as she wishes she could. But this doesn't stop her from trying. So when Ruby receives a surprise invitation to tea with the Queen, she tries hard to practise princess-like manners. Can she do it? Will Ruby ever manage to be proper in time for tea at the palace?

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Realistic Fiction, Family, Fiction, Tea, Storytime

40 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2008

About the author

Sarah, Duchess of York, is a British writer, charity patron, public speaker, film producer and television personality. She is the former wife of Prince Andrew, Duke of York. Sarah has two daughters, Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie of York.

Reviews

[Terry · Rating 4 out of 5]

For all those sick of wandering up and down the midway of the Great Windsor Family Circus these past several years, this delightful little book will ease some of the pain. Authored by Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York, former wife of Prince Andrew and former daughter-in-law of the late Queen and Prince Philip Mountbatten, it’s the story of a little girl invited to tea with the queen. Since the book is quite short I can’t say too much without giving away the plot. I can say that there is a surprise ending and that the book is full of wonderful illustrations.

[Kathryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is sooo darling! I love tea-time, and I love Robin's illustrations, so I figured I would like this one and didn't want the "celebrity author" to put me off. The story is nothing THAT spectacular, but the whole package is just so cute! Ruby is so excited about her invitation to "Tea with the Queen" but in her enthusiasm, she forgets some of her manners! She gets little reminders along the way.
***SPOILERS***
The ending is sweet with "the Queen" being, as you may have guessed, Ruby's grandma. Nice to see grandmas featured as stars! ;-> Kudos to RPG for the charming illustrations--they really add a lot to the story! For example, Grandma has some lovely English decorations in her home and books on "English Gardens" on the table... Ruby's ballet class features girls AND boys! It's cute the way the real-life people and events are transformed in Ruby's imagination into something royal! ;-> Definitely recommended for little princesses!

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

I bought this book for my little Baby Ruby for Christmas and read it and LOVED it. I loved the illustrations and the story was darling. Since Baby Ruby is named after Grandma Ruby, I'm going to buy Grandma the book for Christmas.

[Sarah Sammis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Every so often Cheerios includes a free book in the box of cereal. We got our copy of Tea for Ruby by Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York that way. As it's illustrated by Robin Preiss Glasser, the illustrator of the Fancy Nancy books, the author's name didn't register when I first started reading it to Harriet.

Ruby, who appears to be a normal suburban child who one day receives a invitation to have tea with the Queen. Her family reminds her of her manners and she practices so she'll be ready. Tea with the Queen ends up being tea with her grandmother. Now the grandmother in the book is drawn like any generic grandmother but it was on this page that things clicked into place.

See Harriet asked how it was the grandmother could possibly be a queen. And I blurted out something like, "the pictures are wrong!" I gleefully explained (or tried) who the author was and how her two daughters are in fact princess and have a queen for a grandmother. I showed her a picture of Queen Elizabeth II. The funny thing, she didn't believe me. My princess obsessed daughter doesn't believe they actually exist.

[Becky B · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little girl gets an invitation to have tea with the Queen, and she can hardly hold in her excitement. She frequently daydreams about what it will be like. Others keep reminding Ruby that she'll need to mind her manners with the Queen, a reminder that seems much needed. Ruby and the Queen (aka Grandma) end up having a spectacular time.

I picked this up out of our Elementary Media Center thinking it was a Fancy Nancy book I haven't read, and then realized while the artist is the same it is actually written by Sarah Ferguson of all people. I almost didn't read it, but it turned out to be cute and a nice lesson on manners. One does wonder if there isn't a political commentary in here somewhere since Ferguson's daughters' Grandmother really is an honest to goodness Queen of England...did they stress out over manners before visiting Grandma? Whatever the motives and/or back story, the resulting picture book is surprisingly fun and a good choice for younger girls.

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book first off has amazing illustrations. The amount of detail in it is just beautiful. This book sends such a good lesson on manners and how to act. Ruby gets a letter inviting her to tea with the Queen at the end of the week. Everyone throughout the week reminds her what she should do or not do while having tea with the Queen. She needs to learn how to act like royalty. This book teaches children how to act and treat each other and adults. The Queen ends up being her grandma at the end of the book. But she still needs to use her manners with her grandma too.
This book is intended for little kiddos, probably pre k to first grade. They could learn their manners and how to act in school.

[Vivian · Rating 4 out of 5]

this delightful story about manners is best done with two readers.

For extra fun, follow up with this little action verse:
(This works very well with babies on laps).

Here Sits the Duchess

Here sits the Duchess(gently touch the forehead)
Here sit her two friends (touch the eyebrows)
Here sits the flamingo (touch one cheek)
Here sits the queen (touch the other cheek)
Here sits the hedgehog (touch the nose)
Here he runs in (touch the mouth)
Under your chinny chin, chinny chin, chin (tickle gently)

[Janet Chen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was too cute, and it was really about manners, I liked that the ending was kind of surprising and not what you expected. Reading it to children though I would definitely give them a little background history on the author and who she is, and how this book would relate. Very simple light reading but the pictures are fantastic!

[Jeana · Rating 5 out of 5]

My mom gave this book to my 9-year-old for her birthday and we've loved reading it. The pictures are gorgeous and so clever. And it's sweet and about having tea with grandma in a house that reminds my daughter of her grandma's house. Not to mention, this book even tackles manners as well. It's really quite a delightful little book.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this is one of my more favorite princessy books. It teaches manners! And the princess in my house loves it. Definitely the same artist as Fancy Nancy. My husband was certain it was Fancy Nancy and I had to try to convince him that they were slightly different. The attitude is better, although I don't mind Fancy Nancy's attitude. One I consider adding to our library.

[Stephanie Wycihowski · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful story about a little girl named Ruby who is so excited to have Tea with the Queen! Who turns out to be her grandmother! perfect for a little girls tea party. I used it along with Fancy Nancy for my Fancy Tea party which was a raving success.. we had 5 parties so far at my library!

[Terry]

My daughter picked this book because of the cover. She liked how Ruby looked fancy in her clothes. Then we read it, and she loved it.

To read our full review, go to the Reading Tub.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this darling picture book with lots of bling and fancy! A little girl is invited to have tea with the queen and learns a thing or two about good manners during the process of getting ready. It was a fun, engaging way to talk about good manners and why they are important! I loved it!

[Kristen · Rating 5 out of 5]

We invited the cousins and Grandma for tea tonight and had Grandma read this to the chickies. Darling book for teaching etiquette. LOVE! Perfect for your little Fancy Nancy or Pinkalicious groupies!

[Katy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely LOVED this book! Written by the Duchess of York, the ending was cute for adult and child as well. I was even ok with the abundant use of pink in the pictures. Definitely geared towards young girls.
-manners
-accidents
-moral
-love
-special occasions

[Teri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun book written by "Fergie"--about a little girl who goes to have tea with the Queen. Great story that can tie into the English royal family and used to learn manners. Same illustrator as the Fancy Nancy books which makes it a great "girl" book!

[Sara B · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ruby received an invitation from the Queen to have tea. Ruby gets excited telling everyone about her invitation and they tell her what she can and cannot do when she does have tea with the Queen, her Grandma.

[emma grace · Rating 4 out of 5]

My ballet school is putting on a production of Tea with Ruby in March, and my dearest Mother found the book at the library. It is such a cute book; the illustrations are priceless. They are so well done, and fun to look at. So cute!!!!!!!

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the best book to read if you have a little princess who likes to dress up and pretend. The illustrations are gorgeous and it is a fun read, also teaching manners.

[Advie · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an unexpected find. I so enjoyed this book as one day I hope to have Grandchildren and this is a must read with them.

[Jenny Forgay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ruby is invited to have tea with the Queen. Great book to use when reminding children of their manners.

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just loved reading this book with my girls! The story was so cute and the pictures were great! They fit the story perfectly!

[Cindi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tea for Ruby, written by Sarah Ferguson, The Duchess of York and illustrated by Robin Preiss Glasser, is an adorable story of a manners and imagination.

[Patty · Rating 5 out of 5]

A little girl learns manners while preparing to have tea with the queen. Fun read for any aspiring princess. A cute twist at the end as well.

[Carolina Cruz · Rating 5 out of 5]

the art in the book is very captivating. Its a very girly book and i personally like how this shows a heartwarming relationship between a little girl and her grandmother :)

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Simple story, with a repeating pattern. The illustrations are interesting, but the overall outcome is a little didactic.

[R · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really cute and sweet. Any girly-girl who ever wanted to have tea with the queen or wear a tiara (yes, I count myself one of them) will love this.

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Even if my little walks away while I'm reading this cute short story, I will continue to the end alone.

[Christina Mallory]

Text-to-Teaching Connection
This is an awesome book that teaches manners. In the story, Ruby is excited to see the "queen" and everyone she tells reminds her to use the correct manners during her visit. I always find that having a lesson on using proper manners in the classroom and at home is necessary. This book mentions quite a few examples of what proper manners look like and what not so good manners look like. For a response activity, I could use a chart piece of paper and allow the students to distinguish what they think good manners and bad manners are that is related to what the character in the book did. Also, if you have some students that are not interested in the chart activity, allow them to have a discussion about what they would wear if they went to have dinner with the "queen".

[Diz · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a story about a girl who is a free spirit. She's quite wild and has no manners, so when she receives an invitation to have tea with the queen, there is a lot to learn about manners. I thought the art was very charming. There are several double-page spreads that show Ruby's normal life, and how the scene appears when her imagination runs away with her.