Rubbaduck and Ruby Roo

Ever wonder if there's a retirement center for old, castoff toys? It seems there is, at least in the imagination of British author Hiawyn Oram. Rubbaduck is one such toy, shall we say a rubber duck who's lost his floating ability? Nonetheless, he lives quite contentedly among other on-in-years toys. He's built a little house, and tends a vegetable patch in which he takes great pride. All is calm and predictable until the day Ruby Roo appears on his doorstep. Ruby's child has outgrown her, so now what is rag doll to do? Kindhearted Rubbaduck invited her to stay with him until she became acclimated to her new surroundings. Little did he know what an appetite Ruby possessed. She soon ate everything in the cupboards, and even picked all his vegetables and devoured all of them. Well, that really put Rubbaduck in a bind. He's forced to sell his best coat in order to buy seeds to plant more vegetables. He entrusts this task to Ruby. Major mistake! Youngsters will thoroughly enjoy the rollicking adventures of Ruby Roo as she tries to right her wrongs. - Gail Cooke