“Vegetables are gross!” Ruthie’s declaration is a familiar childhood cry. When she insists that potato chips and French fries are vegetables, her mom takes her to the doctor who tries scare tactics (your skin will turn blue). But it’s Mom who comes up a resolution. She makes a bargain with Ruthie that there’ll be no more vegetables if she helps with the garden. As the plants begin to grow, Ruthie saves the garden from weeds and slug invasion. When Ruthie’s pug dog eats her lunch one day, she resorts to trying a cherry tomato, peas, and corn—and, they are sweet and delicious. Voilà—the pleasures of veggies are discovered. Rubel’s (Practice Makes Perfect for Rotten Ralph, p. 180, etc.) crude, but colorful and busy lines match Ruthie’s determination and mettle. The dog, present in every scene, adds an entertaining touch. The solution could be encouraging to other Ruthies, except if they’ve already heard this story they’ll be wise to the bribe. (Picture book. 5-8)
