| picture story books that explore and illuminate |
| Getting to Know Ruben Plotnick Written by Roz Rosenbluth Illustrated by Maurie Manning |
What do you get when you put together the coolest kid in class, an unpredictable live-in
grandmother, and a caring but anxious grandson? Disaster?
No. You get to know Ruben Plotnick.
David is worried about how zany Ruben Plotnick will react when he meets Grandma Rosie, who
often says and does unexpected things. Will Ruben make fun of her to their classmates? Will he
imitate her whispery voice? What will he do if Grandma Rosie suddenly wants to dance?
This heartwarming story of senility and school-age embarrassment reveals the importance of
looking beneath the surface to really get to know someone.
grandmother, and a caring but anxious grandson? Disaster?
No. You get to know Ruben Plotnick.
David is worried about how zany Ruben Plotnick will react when he meets Grandma Rosie, who
often says and does unexpected things. Will Ruben make fun of her to their classmates? Will he
imitate her whispery voice? What will he do if Grandma Rosie suddenly wants to dance?
This heartwarming story of senility and school-age embarrassment reveals the importance of
looking beneath the surface to really get to know someone.
Hardcover, 32 full color pages, ages 5 - 9, ISBN 9780972922555, Fall 2005
Available at your favorite
bookseller or through:
bookseller or through:
Awards and Review Highlights
* New York Library Association Book of the Season, winter 2006 *
Nominated for FOUR state awards in 2007-8:
The Alabama Emphasis on Reading List
The New York State Reading Association Charlotte Award
The Georgia Children's Storybook Award
The Arizona Grand Canyon Award
"An engaging story about family, friendship, and the challenges of dementia...Ruben Plotnick has grace and he has
heart...the story is charming and has a very sweet conclusion. This is an excellent choice for a group read-aloud or to
help a child deal with fears of family embarrassment." -Mary Hazelton, School Library Journal
"a truly delightful story... I would definitely recommend this book as a must have in school libraries." - Jean Boreen,
Ph.D., Associate Professor and Department Chair, English Education, Northern Arizona University, in Children's Literature
Bestsellers List!!
"Getting to Know Ruben Plotnick, by Roz Rosenbluth, waltzed into my heart and touched it in a way that no other
children's book has." -Barbara Gruener, School Counselor, Friendswood, TX
Ruben Plotnick stars in a podcast! Listen to Andrea and Mark discuss this award-winning book
as they drink their morning coffee, in their thrice-weekly podcast, JustOneMoreBook.com
or click here to read a transcript of the podcast.
"The generation gap may be awkward at times, but Ruben Plotnick and Grandma Rosie demonstrate the special bond
possible between the young and the old. ..."Getting to Know Ruben Plotnick" shows that although relationships may
change, love and understanding can still bring rich rewards." - Paula Morrow, children's literature specialist, writing in
the Bureau County Republican
"Grandma Rosie…is envisioned by Manning with digital pencil, watercolor, and chalk as brim-full of vitality. There is an
elegance to her hands and a youthful spirit to her gray pony tail. When she waltzes we can feel her joyous memories of
her past." - Kenneth and Sylvia Marantz, co-authors of eight books on the art of picture books, in Children's Literature
"This picture book does a wonderful job conveying children's emotions, and how to deal with the uncertainty of peers
knowing what family life at home might be with an elderly grandparent." - Rosa Roberts, in Children's Literature
"Every character expands beyond stereotype in a way that will help kids cope with their own concerns about being less
than perfect." GRAND magazine
"...helps explore the characters beyond the typical stereotypes in a way that will help them cope with their own concerns
about being less than perfect." - Together, the Generations United newsletter
"[an] endearing tale... The illustrations are enchanting... a marvelous tool for introducing youngsters to Alzheimer's
disease." -Kim Hone-McMahan, Akron Beacon Journal
"This sensitive and clever story deals with school-age embarrassment and what dementia looks like from a child’s
perspective. It teaches young children not to judge a book by its cover and has a few surprises at the end." - in
Connections, the newsletter of the National Institute of Aging, of the U.S. National Institute of Health
"Timely subject! Unforgettable character!" Betty Dravis, Amazon Top 1000 Reviewer
"...a wonderful and heartwarming experience... funny, touching and insightful... has much of value to say about family
and friendship." -Sy Fliegel, President, the Center for Educational Innovation of the Public Education Assocation (CEI-
PEA)
"A lovely story about family love and about the sometimes unexpected nature of friendship. The illustrations, full of joy
and fun, complement this heartwarming story perfectly." healthyBooks.com
"...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." - Anna Dogole, Large Print Reviews.com
"...a lovely book about friendship and seeing people as they really are. Kids will think it's terrific fun - but I warn you,
parents, you just might get a little misty as you read. The best books do that to you." - Jan Fields, MyShelf.com
"Ruben Plotnick is a young man that I wouldn't mind getting to know." - Larissa McKay, Eclectic Homeschool Online
"...a compassionate story about dealing with senility in those we love, and of blossoming friendship." Outlook Magazine
"What a charming book about having your worst fears never come true." - Elizabeth Applebaum, AppleTree Editor, The
Detroit Jewish News
"...not only deals with friendship but with issues that require kindness and family values." - Sybil Kaplan, The National
Jewish Post & Opinion
See all reviews...
Nominated for FOUR state awards in 2007-8:
The Alabama Emphasis on Reading List
The New York State Reading Association Charlotte Award
The Georgia Children's Storybook Award
The Arizona Grand Canyon Award
"An engaging story about family, friendship, and the challenges of dementia...Ruben Plotnick has grace and he has
heart...the story is charming and has a very sweet conclusion. This is an excellent choice for a group read-aloud or to
help a child deal with fears of family embarrassment." -Mary Hazelton, School Library Journal
"a truly delightful story... I would definitely recommend this book as a must have in school libraries." - Jean Boreen,
Ph.D., Associate Professor and Department Chair, English Education, Northern Arizona University, in Children's Literature
- "So touching and great for your kids… a terrific book. Really, a terrific book… I don't want to give away the
punchline – but you're going to love to read this one to your kids. They're going to ask you to read this one
again and again and again and again and again…. an adorable book. I definitely recommend everybody get
this for their kids. This is just fabulous… I loved it." -Dr. Laura Schlessinger, on the Dr. Laura Live Radio
Show, Monday September 26, 2005
Bestsellers List!!
- "All of us should get to know Roz Rosenbluth's "Getting To Know Ruben Plotnick" with illustrations by
Maurie Manning. This is a story about real family values, compassion for others and how kids are often
smarter than we think. Hats off to "Ruben Plotnick"! -Simms Taback, Caldecott Medalist, 2000
- "Thank you for sending Ruben Plotnick. I enjoyed it very much. The voice of the narrator worked so well for
me. ...The illustrations of the characters fit comfortably with the words, particularly Grandma Rosie's
wonderful dance poses. Congratulations to Roz Rosenbluth, Maurie Manning, and Flashlight for making it
all come together so well. I hope it is enjoyed by many." -Julie Vivas, award-winning illustrator
"Getting to Know Ruben Plotnick, by Roz Rosenbluth, waltzed into my heart and touched it in a way that no other
children's book has." -Barbara Gruener, School Counselor, Friendswood, TX
Ruben Plotnick stars in a podcast! Listen to Andrea and Mark discuss this award-winning book
as they drink their morning coffee, in their thrice-weekly podcast, JustOneMoreBook.com
or click here to read a transcript of the podcast.
"The generation gap may be awkward at times, but Ruben Plotnick and Grandma Rosie demonstrate the special bond
possible between the young and the old. ..."Getting to Know Ruben Plotnick" shows that although relationships may
change, love and understanding can still bring rich rewards." - Paula Morrow, children's literature specialist, writing in
the Bureau County Republican
"Grandma Rosie…is envisioned by Manning with digital pencil, watercolor, and chalk as brim-full of vitality. There is an
elegance to her hands and a youthful spirit to her gray pony tail. When she waltzes we can feel her joyous memories of
her past." - Kenneth and Sylvia Marantz, co-authors of eight books on the art of picture books, in Children's Literature
"This picture book does a wonderful job conveying children's emotions, and how to deal with the uncertainty of peers
knowing what family life at home might be with an elderly grandparent." - Rosa Roberts, in Children's Literature
"Every character expands beyond stereotype in a way that will help kids cope with their own concerns about being less
than perfect." GRAND magazine
"...helps explore the characters beyond the typical stereotypes in a way that will help them cope with their own concerns
about being less than perfect." - Together, the Generations United newsletter
"[an] endearing tale... The illustrations are enchanting... a marvelous tool for introducing youngsters to Alzheimer's
disease." -Kim Hone-McMahan, Akron Beacon Journal
"This sensitive and clever story deals with school-age embarrassment and what dementia looks like from a child’s
perspective. It teaches young children not to judge a book by its cover and has a few surprises at the end." - in
Connections, the newsletter of the National Institute of Aging, of the U.S. National Institute of Health
"Timely subject! Unforgettable character!" Betty Dravis, Amazon Top 1000 Reviewer
"...a wonderful and heartwarming experience... funny, touching and insightful... has much of value to say about family
and friendship." -Sy Fliegel, President, the Center for Educational Innovation of the Public Education Assocation (CEI-
PEA)
"A lovely story about family love and about the sometimes unexpected nature of friendship. The illustrations, full of joy
and fun, complement this heartwarming story perfectly." healthyBooks.com
"...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." - Anna Dogole, Large Print Reviews.com
"...a lovely book about friendship and seeing people as they really are. Kids will think it's terrific fun - but I warn you,
parents, you just might get a little misty as you read. The best books do that to you." - Jan Fields, MyShelf.com
"Ruben Plotnick is a young man that I wouldn't mind getting to know." - Larissa McKay, Eclectic Homeschool Online
"...a compassionate story about dealing with senility in those we love, and of blossoming friendship." Outlook Magazine
"What a charming book about having your worst fears never come true." - Elizabeth Applebaum, AppleTree Editor, The
Detroit Jewish News
"...not only deals with friendship but with issues that require kindness and family values." - Sybil Kaplan, The National
Jewish Post & Opinion
See all reviews...
