Ruby Valentine and the Sweet Surprise

There’s trouble brewing in Ruby Valentine’s third picture book as rivalry erupts between her pet cockatoo, Lovebird, and her new cat, Sweetie Pie. While Ruby snuggles up with Sweetie Pie in bed, Lovebird plots to concoct the perfect Valentine’s Day for Ruby, in order to regain his place as “number one pet.” Avril’s kinetic mixed-media cartooning shows the two pets going neck-to-neck to outdo each other, their sweet sides lost in a swirl of streamers, hearts, roses, and exploding cakes. Predictably, Ruby teaches the rivals that “There’s room in my heart for two,” yet the expressions of contempt that Avril conjures on Sweetie Pie and Lovebird’s faces offer a memorable reminder of the deep emotions associated with Valentine’s Day. Ages 5–9. Illustrator’s agent: Bernadette Szost, Portfolio Solutions. (Nov.)