This Is Ruby

by Sara O'Leary, Alea Marley (Illustrator)

Overview

Ruby is curious about her world and has big ideas about how it works. A delightful picture book celebration of science and creativity, and a welcome companion to Sara O'Leary's beloved This Is Sadie.

Ruby is a little girl with a sense of curiosity and enthusiasm that's too big to contain! Ruby is always busy — she loves to make things, watch things grow and figure out how things work, with her dog Teddy by her side. And Ruby has lots of ideas about what she wants to be: maybe an animal conservationist? Or an archaeologist? She's great at excavating (i.e. digging holes). Or maybe an inventor? She's already invented a book with smells instead of words (so dogs can read it) and a time machine (the dinosaurs did have feathers after all, and the future is looking wild). This is Ruby, and this is her world.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780735263611
Publisher:	Tundra
Publication date:	05/25/2021
Pages:	32
Sales rank:	271,220
Product dimensions:	7.20(w) x 10.10(h) x 0.50(d)
Lexile:	AD530L (what's this?)
Age Range:	3 - 7 Years

About the Author

SARA O'LEARY is a writer of fiction for both adults and children. She is the author of the beloved This Is Sadie, illustrated by Julie Morstad, and the award-winning series of Henry books: When You Were Small, Where You Came From and When I Was Small, also illustrated by Julie Morstad. A graduate of the University of British Columbia Creative Writing Program, she has taught Screenwriting and Writing for Children at Concordia University in Montreal.

ALEA MARLEY is a children's book illustrator living and working in England with roots in Barbados. She loves creating whimsical scenes that are filled with patterns, texture and bursts of color! Her favorite media to work with are chunky pencils, watercolor crayons and digital brushes. In 2017, she received a commendation from the Macmillan Children's Book Prize, and her work has been exhibited at the D&AD New Blood Festival in Shoreditch, London, the Degree Show in Bournemouth and the Macmillan Prize exhibition.

Editorial Reviews

One of CCBC’s Best Books for Kids and Teens, Fall 2021 — Starred Pick

“Step right into Ruby’s fabulous world, full of the ordinary and extraordinary.” —Kirkus Reviews

“Children will recognize Ruby’s joyful independent exploration of the many delights and opportunities available to a curious mind. Highly recommended.” —CM Magazine

"Visually, Ruby is totally delightful . . . The pages of this book are so inviting, and children will respond to Ruby’s acknowledgement that 'she will always find something new to make, and that she can be whatever she wants to be'." —Imaginary Elevators

“Energy and joy fill these pages in both words and images.” —Library Matters

From the Publisher

2021-04-14
Ruby shares a busy day with readers.

An unnamed narrator introduces the reader to Ruby, who “can’t wait to share her day with you.” Readers are invited into Ruby’s room, where the various activities with which Ruby keeps herself busy are on display. Among many other things, Ruby likes to invent things, to “figure out how things work,” and to “do excavations” with her best friend, Teddy (a puppy). She travels backward and forward in time in the time machine she has invented. Readers are encouraged to stay involved in Ruby’s world while doing some self-reflection with questions sprinkled throughout: “Can you feel [your skeleton] underneath your skin?” and “What kinds of things are you curious about?” Brown-skinned Ruby, with her sweet smile, huge Afro, and dynamic curiosity, is an engaging protagonist in whose world readers will delightedly immerse themselves. The illustrations use a tropical palette and a range of double-page spreads and vignettes, including a lovely wordless spread, to achieve an inviting narrative that feels complete with introduction, deep imagination, and a thoughtful farewell to readers. Ruby is an inspirational character and, for truly imaginative young minds, a wonderful playmate.

Step right into Ruby’s fabulous world, full of the ordinary and extraordinary. (Picture book. 3-8)

Kirkus Reviews