Finish the Story, Dad - Hardcover

PreSchool-- When her father stops reading to her before the story's end one evening, Ruby is not satisfied with his promise to continue the next night. Dad resists her pleas, and Ruby's dreams take her to a jungle where she asks each wild creature she meets to finish reading the book. Instead, they offer, in turn, a ride on a lion's back, a swing on a snake, a gorilla piggyback, a river-crossing on an alligator, and a flight over the treetops in the beak of a great bird. She slips from the bird's grasp and lands with a thump on her bedroom floor. Her father races to her and, tucking her gently back in bed, offers to finish reading where he left off. But little Ruby is sound asleep. Smee's story pleasantly depicts some warm family moments--the treasured story time and a parent's tender concern when a child falls. The jungle fantasy is a bland device that makes a weak connection between the excellent start and conclusion. Smee's watercolor cartoons feature simple stylized people and animals. Her colors are subdued with a sprinkling of pattern to add interest, but the soft hues make this selection best for sharing one-on-one. --Virginia E. Jeschelnig, Willoughby-Eastlake Public Library, Willowick, OH
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Wakeful Ruby wants the rest of her book now, but Dad is firm: not till tomorrow. Sent back to bed, Ruby is visited by a lion who starts her on a journey from animal to animal, each offering a different alternative to finishing the book and each tired out by Ruby's persistence. When she falls out of bed, thus ending her dream-adventure, Dad's ready to relent--but Ruby is fast asleep. The deftly drawn illustrations are the best feature of this twist on a familiar scenario; Ruby is especially winsome and appealing. (Picture book. 2-7) -- Copyright ©1991, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.