WHEN RUBY TRIED TO GROW CANDY

What kid wouldn’t love the idea of growing candy? When Ruby’s weird and mysterious neighbor, Miss Wysterious, tells her she can grow anything she likes, Ruby immediately says, “Candy!” “Jumping jelly beans,” says Miss Wysterious, “I love candy!” and gives her a handful to plant. Ruby plants lemon sours, gumdrops and butterscotch; she waters and waters and voilà—up sprouts oodles of candy. Though the idea is amusing, the odd illustrations are far less intriguing. Paper cutouts of Ruby and Miss Wysterious are imposed against blurry photographic backgrounds. The combination appears mismatched and lacks charm, though some details are fun: Miss Mysterious wears frog boots and grows teacups, egg beaters and playing cards; the candy collage is photo-realistic. Ruby may have a sweet tooth and a green thumb, but unfortunately the result is less appealing than either. (Picture book. 4-7)