Review: Ruby Rose, Off to School She Goes

"Ruby Rose loves to boogie. It's the first day of school, and she bebops into class to meet Mrs. Dempsey, her new teacher. Mrs. Dempsey has never danced a day in her life, and she (and the rest of the staff, including a shushing librarian and a scolding lunch lady) encourages sitting quietly, lining up in orderly fashion, and walking sedately in straight lines. Just when it seems that there will never be time for Ruby Rose's impromptu conga lines or cancan routines, the classroom ant farm gets knocked over, and the entire class, including Mrs. Dempsey, starts stomping, spinning, whirling, and twirling.

Ruby Rose bounces home happy, knowing dance is in her future. The text abounds with dance vocabulary, and the illustrations terrifically show the sheer joy of moving and grooving. Characters are outlined in heavy black lines and pop off the pages, adding to the already kinetic feel. This fun tale will inspire young dancers, help readers get through that first day of school, and encourage free spirits to do their own thing."