bookshelf

RUBY IN THE RUINS

Name: RUBY IN THE RUINS
Author: Shirley Hughes
ISBN: 978-0-7636-9237-7

by Shirley Hughes ; illustrated by Shirley Hughes ‧ RELEASE DATE: May 8, 2018

A sweet celebration of familial love.

bookshelf

Young Ruby and her mother have survived the London Blitz together; now Ruby must adjust to the return of her father.

The first double-page spread situates readers emphatically: “1945 WORLD WAR II WAS OVER!” The text goes on to explain that men are now cleaning up rubble from bombed houses near Ruby and her mum’s home. The duo is seen walking along in front of tall, chain-link fencing, behind which are ruined buildings and busy men in construction garb. The text skillfully incorporates concepts such as “Blitz,” “air-raid shelter,” and “extended leave” into Ruby’s personal story. Young readers will easily empathize with both Ruby’s shyness when her long-absent father returns and her understated resentment of her father’s sudden, large presence in the home that had been only hers and her mum’s for so long. Ruby’s understanding mum allows her to explore outside with neighbor friends. An age-appropriate crisis ensues, creating a heartwarming ending to a sweet tale. Ruby, her family, and other primary characters are white, while large spreads include some people of color. The clothes and environmental details in the illustrations perfectly complement the text, as do the loose character drawings in the artist’s signature style, with the judicious addition of bright colors that pop against the postwar gray and sepia. Endpapers with apparently authentic wartime ads are a nice finishing touch.

A sweet celebration of familial love. (Picture book. 4-8)

Pub Date: May 8, 2018

ISBN: 978-0-7636-9237-7

Page Count: 32

Publisher: Candlewick

Review Posted Online: March 17, 2018

Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 1, 2018

Categories:

CHILDREN'S SOCIAL THEMES | CHILDREN'S HISTORICAL FICTION

- BOOK REVIEW
WHISTLING IN THE DARK
by Shirley Hughes

- BOOK REVIEW
DIGBY O'DAY AND THE GREAT DIAMOND ROBBERY
by Shirley Hughes ; illustrated by Clara Vulliamy

- BOOK REVIEW
DAISY SAVES THE DAY
by Shirley Hughes ; illustrated by Shirley Hughes

bookshelf

WHY A DAUGHTER NEEDS A MOM

by Gregory R. Lange ; illustrated by Sydney Hanson ‧ RELEASE DATE: May 1, 2019

New parents of daughters will eat these up and perhaps pass on the lessons learned.

bookshelf

All the reasons why a daughter needs a mother.

Each spread features an adorable cartoon animal parent-child pair on the recto opposite a rhyming verse: “I’ll always support you in giving your all / in every endeavor, the big and the small, / and be there to catch you in case you should fall. / I hope you believe this is true.” A virtually identical book, Why a Daughter Needs a Dad, publishes simultaneously. Both address standing up for yourself and your values, laughing to ease troubles, being thankful, valuing friendship, persevering and dreaming big, being truthful, thinking through decisions, and being open to differences, among other topics. Though the sentiments/life lessons here and in the companion title are heartfelt and important, there are much better ways to deliver them. These books are likely to go right over children’s heads and developmental levels (especially with the rather advanced vocabulary); their parents are the more likely audience, and for them, the books provide some coaching in what kids need to hear. The two books are largely interchangeable, especially since there are so few references to mom or dad, but one spread in each book reverts to stereotype: Dad balances the two-wheeler, and mom helps with clothing and hair styles. Since the books are separate, it aids in customization for many families.

New parents of daughters will eat these up and perhaps pass on the lessons learned. (Picture book. 4-8, adult)

Pub Date: May 1, 2019

ISBN: 978-1-4926-6781-0

Page Count: 32

Publisher: Sourcebooks Jabberwocky

Review Posted Online: March 16, 2019

Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 1, 2019

Categories:

CHILDREN'S SOCIAL THEMES | CHILDREN'S FAMILY | CHILDREN'S HOLIDAYS & CELEBRATIONS

bookshelf

LITTLE BLUE TRUCK AND RACER RED

From the Little Blue Truck series

by Alice Schertle ; illustrated by Jill McElmurry ‧ RELEASE DATE: March 25, 2025

A friendship tale with solid messaging and plenty of fun sounds to share.

bookshelf

In this latest in the series, Little Blue Truck, driven by pal Toad, is challenged to a countryside race by Racer Red, a sleek, low-slung vehicle.

Blue agrees, and the race is on. Although the two start off “hood to hood / and wheel to wheel,” they switch positions often as they speed their way over dusty country roads. Blue’s farm friends follow along to share in the excitement and shout out encouragement; adult readers will have fun voicing the various animal sounds. Short rhyming verses on each page and several strategic page turns add drama to the narrative, but soft, mottled effects in the otherwise colorful illustrations keep the competition from becoming too intense. Racer Red crosses the finish line first, but Blue is a gracious loser, happy to have worked hard. That’s a new concept for Racer Red, who’s laser-focused on victory but takes Blue’s words (“win or lose, it’s fun to try!”) to heart—a revelation that may lead to worthwhile storytime discussions. When Blue’s farm animal friends hop into the truck for the ride home, Racer Red tags along and learns a second lesson, one about speed. “Fast is fun, / and slow is too, / as long as you’re / with friends.”

A friendship tale with solid messaging and plenty of fun sounds to share. (Picture book. 4-7)