Here are some of this book's reviews
Darling duckling Ruby, from Ruby in Her Own Time, is still the littlest of the clutch, content to take things in her own time. When her bigger, bolder brothers and sisters race off to explore, Ruby prefers to take life more slowly, stopping to appreciate the waterfall, willow, fish and frogs along the way. "Look!" she cries. But the others do not stop. "THIS WAY, RUBY!" they call, unobservant in their hurry. So it's wee Ruby who first sees big black storm clouds sweeping across the sky; and when lightning alarms and disorients the ducks, it's Ruby who, though scared herself, uses the sights and sounds she has noticed as landmarks to navigate the way to safety.
Harry's palette of lavender, blue, green and fuzzy, yummy yellow is perfect for her charmingly bedraggled little duckies and their friendly lakeside surroundings, and Emmett's musical, alliterative language (occasionally typeset to reflect the text) is gentle and engaging. (Picture book. 2-6)
KIRKUS REVIEWS
Mother and Father Duck have five ducklings. While all of the others are adventurous and plunge full-steam ahead into the water, Ruby, the smallest, prefers to swim slowly, looking at everything around her. She quite often falls behind, but her encouraging siblings call, "This way, Ruby!" One day, while they race along, she notices something her siblings have not - a storm coming their way - and they have no idea which way to turn. Luckily, Ruby's observational skills come to the rescue.
This is a sweet book for preschoolers, who will enjoy the little bit of danger and the reassurance that Ruby will find the way home. Harry's illustrations are charming, giving each duckling its own personality. The pastel palette provides a sense of comfort and well-being throughout. Small details are tucked into each picture for children to discover. This follow-up to Ruby in Her Own Time is perfect for storytimes and family sharing. Youngsters will be reassured to discover that not all ducks have to swim through life at the same pace.
Susan E. Murray, SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL
Can one small duckling find the way home? Join Ruby in her latest adventure as she attempts to guide her brothers and sisters out of harm and back to the safety of home. Ruby is a small duckling with two brothers - Rufus and Rory, and two sisters - Rosie and Rebecca. The other ducklings are big, bold and always looking for adventure. Ruby is small and steady, taking her time and doing things slowly.
One bright morning when mother and father duck are snoozing in the sun the little ducklings decide to go off and explore. With a splash they jump into the water and then, off they go. Ruby joins in with them but whilst they are intent on finding adventure she wants to stop and look around. By stopping Ruby sees a waterfall sparking in the sun, water lilies’ with bright purple flowers, dragonflies and a huge weeping willow. She also sees a large black storm cloud heading their way but as always the other ducklings are too busy to stop and look or even listen so when the storm clouds come overhead they suddenly find themselves scared and lost. Can Ruby be brave and bold and help them find their way home?
This is a lovely, warm-hearted story that is told with humour and simplicity, drawing the reader in, encouraging them to understand the importance of having a sense of adventure at the same time as a sense of awe and wonder. The contrast between the little ducklings couldn’t be stronger yet neither could their bond of family and love. There are important messages conveyed in this simple story that young children will quickly pick up and learn from. In this way it is the perfect book for sharing with young readers. For older children who may find there are too many words to read alone the CD* makes a good accompaniment to the pictures. allowing children to follow the story.
The illustration brings the book to life, its pastel colours and gentle brush strokes create a warm and tactile series of images of fluffy ducklings, gentle riverbanks and yet exciting adventures in nature.
This Way Ruby’ is a warm, gentle and fun story which I am sure will become a firm favourite for many young readers.
* This is a review of the paperback & Audio CD edition
Louise Ellis-Barrett, WRITE AWAY
Mama and Papa duck have five yellow offspring – Rufus, Rory, Rosie, Rebecca, and Ruby. While Rufus, Rory, Rosie, and Rebecca are energetic and adventurous, Ruby, distinguished by the three feathers that stick up on top of her head, is "small and steady," and observant. But when the ducklings venture out on their own and become lost as a thunderstorm approaches, it's not Rufus, Rory, Rosie, or Rebecca who saves the day – it's Ruby, proving that courage and caution must go hand in hand. The alliterative names provide a fun mantra to recite aloud, and the simple yet movement-filled illustrations, thickly brushed in soft nursery colors, depict a cast of darling ducklings, as deliciously fluffy and sweet as lemon chiffon pie.
Stephanie Zvirin, BOOKLIST
Ducklings with alliterative names live beside a lake in this brightly illustrated picture book first published in the UK. This Way, Ruby! is reminiscent of stories with partly anthropomorphized animal characters, such as Martin Waddell's Owl Babies. The theme here is attending to the moment. Ruby is the small, steady exception to the super-charged energy of her siblings. While Mother Duck and Father Duck snooze one day, the ducklings go exploring, with Ruby struggling (as usual) to keep up because there's just so much to see. Dawdling by the waterfall and the golden fish, the water lilies and the dragonflies, Ruby not only notices the approaching storm, but also, in the end, recognizes enough of her surroundings to lead everyone home. The classic rhythms of a picture book are nicely established and maintained here. We move from safety into excitement, through danger and back again in a familiar story arc.
The smudgy pastel pictures succeed in conveying both Ruby's small size in the large blue world of the lake, and the slightly manic scrambling of her siblings. As a system of serial naming, the alliterations feel a bit forced. In all, however, this is a sweet, comforting picture book, and the return home to the nest places it squarely in the cozy bedtime category.
CHILDREN'S LITERATURE
In their book, This Way Ruby! Jonathan Emmett and Rebecca Harry, take young readers on a memorable journey - to a world where the weaker, smaller and slower member of the group triumphs, saving the fate of those thought ‘more stronger’ and ‘capable’. Lost in the midst of a frightening storm, a brood of five ducklings are lead safely home by their youngest member – Ruby. Sometimes viewed as ‘slow and meandering’, Ruby proves she is truly a creature of nature and care – attentive to her surroundings and mindful of safety for each of her family.
Reassuring for young readers, This Way Ruby! confirms a place for all living things, and support for those who take extra moments to ‘look at the world’, before moving on, to find what it is they seek.
Jacqueline Perryman, BENDIGO WEEKLY
If, like me, you remember the stories from when you were little and would love to read similar stories to your own children, then "This way, Ruby" is the most perfect book ever. It is a book full of genuine warmth that simply can not fail to delight both parent and child. The language used is full of innocence and charm and reinforces the sense of family and security that is oh so important to a child. The illustrations wrap the text in colour, making the book something to truly look after. After reading this to Olivia, I do not know who was happier and more relaxed. Quite simply, an absolute treasure of a book.
BASICS4BABY.CO.UK |
