Reviews

This Is Ruby by Sara O'Leary

graypeape's review

5.0

After reading this book, I really wanna hang out with Ruby. She's inventive, curious, and enthusiastic in her pursuits, and she's an inspirational kid, reminding her peers they can be whatever they want when they grow up, and that there's always fun to be had. I loved her creativity, and I think kids will enjoy getting to know her. She's got some really fun decorating ideas that I might have to borrow too! And oh my! the illustrations are gorgeous! So bright, colorful, and full of interesting details to look at and get inspiration from (see my comment on decorating ideas above)! Parents will appreciate this too- there's humor in this that only adults will appreciate, such as Ruby traveling back in time to see what dinosaurs really looked like, then going back even further to the day her parents met. This book is great fun, and I think kids will love it.

#NetGalley

nobookendinsight's review

4.0

Ruby is an imaginative, creative, and unique child, who invites the young reader into her world for a day. Ruby has all kinds of thoughts and hopes and dreams , and she asks the reader questions about their thoughts and hopes and dreams. This interaction is what sets this picture book apart from others. Add in colorful fun illustrations and you have a book perfect for reading aloud to the young children in your life.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to preview an advanced readers copy. All opinions are my own.

sirah's review

5.0

A common activity foisted upon kids of all ages is the "what do you want to be when you grow up?" game. On the one hand, it's a fun way to challenge kids to think about the future and focus their learning. On the other hand, there's not much point in pressing 5-year-olds to choose a career because it not only turns up loads of unrealistic nonsense but also puts pressure on kids to just pick one thing. What I love about the book, This Is Ruby, is that the child in the book is not contained. She can be girly. She can be smart, She can be creative. She can be tough. She is all of those things and more, and she has no reason to fit into anyone's stereotype. Childhood is meant to be a safe place to discover and experiment, which is why kids are so good at playing. I'll be happy to share this book with my younger students and work in opportunities for them to explore the many facets of who they are and can be.
(for the record, when I was 5, I wanted to be a ballerina. I'm glad I wasn't forced into that life, because I'm much happier as a book editor and reviewer than I would have ever been as a dancer)

like_unto_a_leopard's review

adventurous inspiring lighthearted fast-paced

• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

A very cute story that engages the reader by asking them to imagine what they would do in different scenarios.

mreadsbooksnfics's review

5.0

Recently I have realized the importance of diverse books. As a POC, a future children's librarian, and a parent. The publishing industry is so saturated with people and white voices. We need BIPOC in books. Use your voice with your dollars and support diverse books like this.

This book is fantastic. It shows a Ruby, a Black girl, and all of the things she can do and be when she grows up. She has a dog best friend. This book is so cute. She was having adventures and dreaming of the future. It shows all the things and all the ideas she has. Girls in STEM are so needed, especially BIPOC. I cannot express how much I love this book.

Books like this make a difference. Support books like this so BIPOC can see themselves in stories and so other children can learn to appreciate diversity.

In 2019, only 11% of children's lit had a Black character. We need to do better and books like this are a great place to start.

Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC of this book given to be reviewed freely.

smorrison4's review

5.0

This was such a cute book about all the possibilities in life. I love that the book encourages children to use their imagination to be whatever they want to be. This book made me giggle a couple of times because Ruby is so unexpected and awesome.

Thank you NetGalley for the DRC.

emilymyhren's review

adventurous inspiring lighthearted medium-paced

• Loveable characters? Yes

5.0

roshreviews's review

lighthearted fast-paced

• Loveable characters? Yes

4.25

 See that cute girl on the cover? That’s Ruby, the little girl who seems curious about everything around her. She uses her creativity to fill in her day with amazing ideas and fun exploration. Giving her company on her mindboggling imaginative journeys is her canine companion Teddy. 

Children will enjoy and identify with Ruby’s world. It has no limits, it has no rules. She does whatever her heart and mind tell her to do. Adults reading this book to their little ones will be reminded of their own carefree childhood days. The book reminds you to do whatever brings you joy and to live in the moment. 

What stands out in the story is that Ruby embraces various options from the STEM field. She will serve as a lovely role model for children of colour, and for girls. 

I found the end a little abrupt. But it does pack quite a lot of content within its few pages. 

This is one case where the artwork outshines the story. The illustrations are absolutely scrumptiously adorable! Every time I saw Ruby, I felt like ruffling her curls and pulling her cheeks. Every page has a delightful illustration. 

Thank you, NetGalley and Penguin Random House Canada, for the ARC of the book in exchange for an honest review. 

cweichel's review

adventurous inspiring lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book. It will be released May 25, 2021 by Tundra Books. Preorder it for your libraries.

Remember Sadie? This is her friend, Ruby, another creative strong girl who is interested in all things STEM! 

Ruby is never bored. This curious, creative, little girl is an explorer,  an inventor, and a time traveller. She likes to watch things grow and take things apart to figure out how they work. 

She isn't sure what she wants to be when she grows up, but knows her options are endless. These days she is contemplating being an animal conservationist, a doctor, an engineer, or an astronaut. With Teddy, her best friend, she might even become an archaeologist. 

Ruby has already accomplished many things. She made a book of smells for animals and others who can't read words. She created a potion that tastes like clouds. She even invented a time machine. 

There is so much to love about this book. I liked the bits of humour, especially when Ruby goes back in time to visit the dinosaurs, and then even farther back to when her parents met. I like that her parents may or may not be same sex. I like that Ruby is Black. Energy and joy fill these pages in both words and images. 

Alea Marley's illustrations are glorious explosions of colour. Her favourite medium is chunky pencils, watercolour crayons, and digital brushes.  

ashylibrarian's review

adventurous hopeful inspiring lighthearted medium-paced

• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.25

 **Thank you to NetGalley, author Sara O'Leary, and Penguin Random House Canada: Tundra Books for the eARC of this book in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.** 

This is a really cute story about adventure and inspiration. Ruby is a loveable character who loves exploring her ideas and creating adventures with her imagination. 

This story seems like it will be really relatable to many young readers as they grow and determine what they want to do in the future. Ruby tells the reader about all of the careers she wants to explore, like architect, doctor, or astronaut. 

The illustrations are a wonderful addition to the story, as well. They are bright, vibrant, and colorful, emphasizing the inspiration behind this story. 

One issue with this story is that it seemed to be a little scattered and unorganized. As previously stated, I love the idea behind this but some points of the story did not feel like it was pieced together in the "correct" spot. 

I am excited to see a final copy of this story, however.