Just One More

Ruby clearly did not get the memo from the Oracle at Delphi regarding moderation over excess. To her mind, the more the better, whether it’s “just one more hair thingy” or “just one more push” on the swing. Readers will quickly sense that “one more” is never just “one more” for Ruby, and when her teetering ice-cream cone skyscraper goes “splat,” they’ll probably agree that a little self-discipline is in order. Debut author- illustrator Rolli’s buttery, pastel-hued oil paintings convey a character who’s the soul of doe-eyed adorableness, and whose sense of entitlement is just a teensy bit out of whack and easily correctable—which is why the book feels somewhat slighter than its interesting premise. There isn’t a whole lot at stake, emotionally or comically. It doesn’t help that Ruby is always shown in isolation (the only other human presence is a stiff arm that presumably belongs to her mother), leaving no real sense of how Ruby’s behavior affects others. Maybe there’s another kid who’d like a turn on the coin-operated pony ride, too. Ages 2–4. Agent: Stephen Barr, Writers House. (June)