Just One More

PreS-K—Brief oversized text and large oil paintings combine wonderfully to introduce readers to Ruby, a child who lives life LARGE. A worthy companion for Ian Falconer's Olivia, Ruby is depicted on different colored grounds, with curly blond hair flying atop a round face that often fills the page. Whether she's sleeping or eating, arranging her hair or playing, Ruby always wants more: one more minute of sleep, one more hair ornament, one more sip, one more ride on the bronking horse, one more push on the swing, even one more penny to throw in the wishing well. When she gets her wish for still one more scoop of ice cream to top the already tottering pile on her cone, though—"SPLAT!" The spread following the picture of Ruby holding her stacked cone, tongue protruding in anticipation, says simply, "Uh oh," leaving readers to assume the outcome before the next page turn. Don't be surprised if readers echo Ruby's mantra when they reach the end of this story: "Just one more" time, please!—Marianne Saccardi, formerly at Norwalk Community College, CT