They say not to judge a book by its cover but there are exceptions, and A Friend For Ruby definitely falls into that category. If the front cover is wow then what awaits inside is wow and then some. Ruby is having a bad week; Nell has stolen her fruit, Joan has called her names and nobody has chosen her for dancing. When she finds a washed up creature on the beach on her way home from school she is sure she has found a friend. At home, Ruby takes great care of her new friend, feeding it, grooming it, playing with it and turning her cubby into a safe place for the creature to stay (hidden away from Granma). But a child’s home is no place for a wild ocean creature who pines for its lost family. Ruby needs to take the creature back where it belongs and whilst one friendship may be ending another one may just be beginning… Sure to capture the imagination, A Friend for Ruby is a visual treat with a rich and meaningful story that explores loneliness, briefly touches on bullying, highlights the importance of kindness and celebrates how friendship often comes along when you least expect it. Breathtakingly beautiful and gently written, Ruby’s story will captivate and the dazzling pages will be pored over for hours. Whether it’s diving into underwater worlds, salivating over delicious baked goods or being mesmerised by a unique creature, this is a picture book that will remain with the reader and I’m sure will be returned to time and time again. Ruby’s situation will be relatable to many children making this a perfect story to share when discussing friendships and how seemingly little actions can have a big impact on how another feels. And whilst we cannot expect to discover one of the most wondrous and memorable of creatures at the beach, we can all be more like Ruby and embrace kindness, compassion and find somebody worth dancing with.
A wonderful picture book! Recommended for 4+. With huge thanks to Allen & Unwin for the copy I received in exchange for an honest review.
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