School Library Journal Review
K-Gr 2-- A book with a strong story and complementary illustrations that addresses the philosophical question of individuality vs. conformity. Ruby, the new girl at school, is immediately taken with Angela's bright red bow. At lunchtime she hops home and returns with a similar bow in her hair. Throughout the week she copies not only what Angela wears but also what she says and does. By Friday Angela is fed up. Their teacher tells Ruby, ``You can be anything you want to be, but be Ruby first.'' On Monday Ruby has moved on to copying her. Prodded by Miss Hart, she admits to having simply spent her weekend hopping, at which point she starts a hopping jamboree and now she is the one who is copied. Watch out-- young readers will immediately begin doing the ``Ruby Hop.'' The artwork is reminiscent of both Amy Schwartz and Kevin Henkes; it's fun, expressive, character oriented, and done in colorful pencil-and-ink drawings. A small gem. --Martha Topol, Northwestern Michigan College, Traverse City, MI (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Publisher's Weekly Review
It seems that something other than coincidence is at work when diminutive Ruby, a newcomer to Miss Hart's class, is entranced by schoolmate Angela's attention-getting red bow and returns from lunch with an identical bow atop her head. Ruby's maddening habit becomes increasingly apparent as she happily endures a rainbow of wet paint in imitation of Angela's hand-painted outfit, proudly plagiarizes Angela's poetry and tries pink press-on nails after admiring Miss Hart's manicure. Finally, challenged to display a talent all her own, Ruby admits that she likes to hop and masterfully bounces around her desk. To her surprise, she impresses her classmates and wins Angela's friendship at last. Rathmann's expressively illustrated, quirky and individualistic first book encourages readers to have confidence and not to take skills, however unimpressive they may seem, for granted. Ages 4-8. (Nov.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Horn Book Review
When the class turns against the new girl, Ruby, a blatant copycat, their teacher finds a way to help Ruby demonstrate her own talents. While the philosophy is sound, the message is forced; the resolution, pat; and the colored pencil-and-ink illustrations are unappealing. From HORN BOOK 1991, (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Kirkus Review
At first, when new-girl Ruby imitates Angela, Angela takes it in good part: they must be kindred spirits. But as she realizes that Ruby's claims (only Angela was really a bridesmaid) aren't true, Angela is ever-more annoyed with her mimicry. A sensitive teacher helps Ruby see that doing her own thing is a better way to make friends. Rathmann plots the evolution of a friendship going sour, primary-grade style, with sensitivity and just enough exaggeration to provide humor. It's too bad that the teacher is needed to help Ruby understand the effect of her behavior, but her gradual realization is believably drawn, and children have been known to profit from good advice. Like the text, the simple illustrations nicely capture the nuances of the characters' feelings. A solid debut. Picture book. 4-8)
Booklist Review
Ages 5-8. Ruby, the new girl in class, tries to act just like Angela. If Angela says she was a flower girl at a wedding, then Ruby was, too. Ruby's poem is almost exactly like Angela's. At first, Angela finds the imitation flattering, but soon it is annoying. An understanding teacher makes Ruby see that being the best Ruby she can be will make everyone happier. When Ruby shows the class how good she can hop, they're all impressed and begin copying her. Rathmann's insights about individuality are tucked into a good story. Her colorful artwork adds new bits of humor to the text. For instance, when Angela wears a sweater covered with daisies, Ruby comes back from lunch wearing one, too; however, as the pictures indicate, hers is covered with flowers stuck on with safety pins. A neat package whose ribbon is its message. (Reviewed Nov. 15, 1991)059043747XIlene Cooper
