Ruby Rose, Big Bravos

by Rob Sanders, Debbie Ridpath Ohi (Illustrations)

Ruby Rose has the best idea ever: she'll put on a dance recital!

But when her tights are untangled, her costume is fitted, the tickets are finished, and Ruby Rose makes her way onto the stage, it turns out the audience is caught in the rain! Oh no! Will Ruby Rose let a little thunder and lightning ruin her performance? With some swirling and twirling, Ruby Rose finds a way to star in the best recital ever!

From author illustrator team Rob Sanders and Debbie Ridpath Ohi comes dancer extraordinaire Ruby Rose, starring in her second picture book!

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens

40 pages, Hardcover

Published August 29, 2017

About the author

Rob Sanders does not work as a telephone sales rep, a loading dock worker, a trophy engraver, or an editor. But he used to. Rob is not a cowboy, a ballerina, an alien, or a temper-tantrum-throwing toddler. But he writes about them. Rob is a picture book author, a writing teacher, a blogger, and a great uncle. He worked for fifteen years in religious educational publishing as a writer, editor, editorial manager, and product designer. These days he teaches elementary kids about books and words and reading and writing, and writes books for those same kids.

Rob’s first picture book, COWBOY CHRISTMAS, was released by Golden Books/Random House in 2012. OUTER SPACE BEDTIME RACE was released by Random House Children’s Books in January 2015. RUBY ROSE ON HER TOES (the first in a two-book deal with HarperCollins) releases in 2016, and Rob just sold RODZILLA to Justin Chanda at Simon & Schuster.

Rob also coordinates the Rising Kite Writing Contest for SCBWI Florida, organizes meetings for SCBWI Florida members in the Tampa Bay area, and critiques picture book manuscripts for other writers.

Reviews

[Crystal ✬ Lost in Storyland · Rating 3 out of 5]

A cute read. I like how the placing of words and images on certain shows a series of action. Also how Ruby takes the initiative to do something she enjoys. I wasn't quite sure what to think of the end when she loses momentum, but in the end, it shows how children need their parents. (Another plus: family is present, and in this particular book, the dad is more prominent than the mother.)

[Bethany · Rating 4 out of 5]

Over breakfast, Ruby Rose decides it's the perfect day to have a dance recital with her stuffed bear named Bearishnikov. But she has some delays because she has to clean up messes she's made along the way from balloons and making posters.

But there's still time for the big show, especially with her tiara and outfit on and ready to go. Then, the thunder rolls and a storm is brewing. When it's time to dance, there's only an audience of one, her dad, due to the rain storm.

The night isn't over yet and even though Ruby Rose wanted more people, she answers to her dad's call that it's recital time. When she comes out to dance, she's met with the best surprise and gets her bravos after all.


Final Verdict: This would be the perfect read for the aspiring ballerina. It also taught that if you work hard and clean up after yourself, then you can do what you love.

[Jana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kids love to put on performances for the people that they love. So most will definitely recognize themselves in this sweet picture book about an energetic little girl who is determined to stage a dance recital for her family and friends. Young readers will enjoy finding out how she prepares and what she does when the afternoon turns stormy and her program is threatened. This book has terrific illustrations by Debbie Ridpath Ohi! Definitely a nice one for a primary book collection.

[MaryLibrarianOH · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute story for the ballerina girl. Love her dancing teddy bear!

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cute story about a girl putting on a show in her living room and the messes she creates along the way. I love Debbie Ridpath Ohi’s illustrations that accompany Ruby Rose’s adventures.

[Mundie Moms & Mundie Kids · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a really sweet story. I loved the role Ruby's father plays in the story.

[Lynne Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute and true to form.

[Tweller83 · Rating 3 out of 5]

4/15/23: This was pretty good.

[Lynn Davidson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ruby Rose announces to her dad that they're having a dance recital. She sends out invitations that don't go anywhere, dresses in her tutu, and then - there is a rainstorm and the lights go out. Her dad says her audience got caught in the storm and urges her to dance anyway. When she does she is surprised and happy with what happens.