Ruby & Rufus (Gossie & Friends)

Toddler-PreS-Dunrea is back with another splendid addition to series. Here, readers meet Ruby and Rufus, two goslings who love to play in the water. With their bright red swim caps, the pair happily swim and dive in the pond come rain or shine. One day, they are surprised to find the pond is frozen. "Ruby taps the ice with her bill. Rufus taps the ice with his foot." Ruby exuberantly exclaims that it is ice, and the goslings proceed to slide, streak, and glide. The illustrations focus on the protagonists and set them against a background of plentiful white space. A horizontal line marking the water line cleanly divides the illustrations from the spare text running along the bottom of the page, and the small trim size makes the book perfect for little hands to hold while an adult reads aloud. VERDICT A swimmingly good title to share in all kinds of weather.--Ramarie Beaver, Plano Public Library System, TX