Sarah Ferguson, The Duchess of York, Teams With Bestselling Illustrator Robin Preiss Glasser to Publish Children's Book on Manners

NEW YORK, Jan. 31 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Sarah Ferguson, The Duchess of York, and #1 New York Times bestselling children's illustrator, Robin Preiss Glasser, are joining forces to create a picture book, entitled TEA FOR RUBY, about the virtues of manners and etiquette. The book was acquired for Paula Wiseman Books/Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers through agent Faith Hamlin at Sanford J. Greenburger Associates and is set to be published in Fall 2008 with a first printing of 200,000 copies and a laydown date of September 30, 2008. The Duchess of York has published 26 books during her career, among them several highly successful children's stories such as Budgie the Helicopter that also became an animated TV series, and The Adventures of Little Red series. The Duchess is the mother of two teenage daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie. Robin Preiss Glasser is the renowned illustrator of Lynne Cheney's #1 New York Times bestselling book, OUR FIFTY STATES as well as the bestselling Fancy Nancy series.

"I was raised to appreciate that there is a time and place for manners, not just for the sake of following rules but rather because etiquette and good manners show courtesy and respect. I've raised my girls as part of the royal family according to this philosophy" said the Duchess. "Now I can pass along this message to princesses everywhere, and I'm thrilled to do it with the brilliant bestselling illustrator, Robin Preiss Glasser."

TEA FOR RUBY is about a little girl with a marvelous imagination, who, though well intentioned, is not always as well-mannered and proper as she might be. When she suddenly receives a mysterious invitation to Tea, she enthusiastically shares her excitement with everyone from her mom and dad to the postman! Along the way she learns valuable lessons in manners from everyone in preparation for the big day. Will she be ready? TEA FOR RUBY teaches proper etiquette in a fanciful way that will appeal to the everyday princess: for the high spirited little girl who also knows when it is time to be a poised young lady. Ruby's endearing character will return for more animated adventures in future books by the Duchess of York and Robin Preiss Glasser.

"I have been a huge fan of the Duchess of York for a long time," said Robin Preiss Glasser. "I loved working on this book with her because it gave me an opportunity to create a lovable new character, Ruby, whose foibles are a result of her exuberance."

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