Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Young Ruthie Rose "wakes up with an idea./ A big, bright, beautiful idea," in this enthusiastic picture book celebration of poetry. Simple, digitally created illustrations depict the ecstatic child heading to school, where she shares her hope with the "book-talking,/ idea-loving librarian"; a "collage-making,/ idea-loving artist"; and her "story-sharing,/ idea-loving teacher." The rapturous concept, depicted as a glittery rainbow filled with typed excerpts of well-known poems, then "shouts" and "twirls" its way through the school, eventually returning to the library, where it becomes reality as "Poetry Place, a space that celebrates... POETS, POETRY, and POSSIBILITIES." Schu uses exclamatory language to share Ruthie Rose's infectious plan, giving Hatam plenty of space to visually expound on the power of the shared ideas and verse. Characters are portrayed with various abilities and skin tones. Includes a poster. Ages 4--8. (Mar.)
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Review by School Library Journal Review
Gr 1--3--Ruthie Rose wakes up bursting with a "big, bright, beautiful" idea, and everyone who hears it, from her school librarian to teachers and fellow students, catches her enthusiasm. What is it? Hatam provides hints with depictions of colorful, swirling bursts of stars and transparent splashes of paint over clipped swatches of printed verse by Robert Louis Stevenson and other classic poets--and, indeed, at the end the grand notion turns out to be setting aside a corner of the library as a "Poetry Place," where young readers and writers can gather to celebrate "POETS, POETRY, and POSSIBILITIES." A comfy climactic scene with just bookshelves, a couple of tables, a cardboard "Poet-Tree" to display poems, and a small curtained performance area suggests the ease of setting up such a place almost anywhere, while a closing gallery of children working with arts and craft materials, a camera, costumes, and more plays on the potential by expanding Ruthie Rose's original idea in multiple directions. VERDICT It's hard to imagine an audience that wouldn't be inspired by Ruthie Rose's idea or a setting that wouldn't be improved by implementing it.--John Edward Peters
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Review by Kirkus Book Review
Ruthie Rose takes her spark of a writing idea and grows it with the help of her community. As soon as Ruthie Rose wakes up, she has an idea that begins to take root. She shares it with Ms. Alexandria, "a book-talking, idea-loving librarian"; Mr. Zayn, "a collage-making, idea-loving artist"; Ms. Adelaide, "her story-sharing, idea-loving teacher"; and Lily-May, "her purple-wearing, idea-sharing friend." The idea bounces around and finally takes shape. It's "The Poetry Place": "a space for everyone, a space for anyone to explore." The illustrations blend bright, cartoonlike characters and settings with elements of collage. Ruthie Rose's idea grows from her mind across the page, a thought bubble layered with text and painted vivid watercolors. A crinkled leather book in her hands is so realistic that it appears touchable. Disappointingly, these components appear sparsely throughout the book, though they are the most visually interesting elements. Still, Ruthie Rose's idea bounces to life in a way that reminds readers that the most successful ideas are those that grow with community support. Muppetlike Ruthie Rose is beige-skinned with big red glasses and a mop of curly auburn hair; the supporting cast is diverse. A sweet reminder that tending to our bright ideas can be transformative.(Picture book. 4-8) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
