Getting to Know Ruben Plotnick
Written by Roz Rosenbluth
Illustrated by Maurie J. Manning Flashlight Press, New York: 2005
ISBN: 0-972-92255-5
Genre: Children's Picture Story Books
Reviewed by Anna Dogole - November 17, 2006
A hard lesson for both children and adults to learn is: "Never judge a book by its cover!" This is exactly the lesson that is effortlessly taught in Getting to Know Ruben Plotnick an emotionally charged and lovely children's picture story book by Roz Rosenbluth and accompanied by enchanting and airy watercolored illustrations by Maurie J. Manning. Ruben Plotnick is 'that' kid in school that everyone wants to have for a friend. He's popular, precocious, and a born jester. So David is stunned when Ruben volunteers to come over his house so that they can do their homework together.
David is thrilled at getting the chance to hang with Ruben, but he's also scared. David's Grandmother, Rosie, is a bit senile and David is afraid that Ruben might make fun of her, and that his meeting Grandma Rosie might destroy any chance they have of ever becoming real friends.
David, however, has horribly misjudged Ruben. When they arrive at David's house, Grandma Rosie is, as David feared, in one of her strange moods. Staying odd things, talking to people that are not there, and she wants to dance! Ruben does the unexpected. When Grandma Rosie calls him Nate and asks him to dance, he complies and they have a lovely waltz together. During his entire time at David's house, Reuben never makes fun of Grandma Rosie, never makes a face, nor does anything to make it seem like her actions are anything but normal! In short, Ruben is a perfect gentleman and David's fears of what his classmate might think about him and his family quickly fade away.
Getting to Know Ruben Plotnick is a warm-hearted story about friendship, dealing with a senile relative, and learning not to jump to conclusions about someone before you really get to know them.
Please note: Although not marketed as a large print book, Getting to Know Ruben Plotnick, is printed in a clear and approximately 18-point font, making it fall well within the parameters of a large print book. Not only does this large font size make it easier for new readers to enjoy the book, it will also prove a boon to anyone needing, or desirous, of large print material to read aloud to little ones who cannot yet read on their own.
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