Smart and sassy, eight-year-old Ruby is tired of living in the shadows of her three older brothers. When she has a chance to break out, things don't go according to plan. But with nerve and verve, Ruby will make sure everyone knows her name. Illustrations.

Look out, Ro! Ruby's hosting a big pink slumber party!

High-flying Ruby soars to new heights
After watching her big cousin Kee Kee compete in a cheerleading competition, Ruby attempts to copy some of the high-flying moves she saw earlier. This cheerleading stuff could be just the thing to bring her a ton of attention. But during practice with Marcellus, she injures her arm and must be rushed to the hospital. The doctors fit her with a hot-pink cast that turns out to be a great conversation piece. After giving a million different versions of the accident to everyone at school, she becomes the center of attention after all

Crown: An Ode to the Fresh Cut, a picture book for children ages 3 to 8, is among the second such offering from Denene Millner Books, the new line for young readers published under Agate's Bolden Books imprint in partnership with Denene Millner, the noted parenting authority, editor, and New York Times bestselling author.

The barbershop is where the magic happens. Boys go in as lumps of clay and, with princely robes draped around their shoulders, a dab of cool shaving cream on their foreheads, and a slow, steady cut, they become royalty. That crisp yet subtle line...