RECKLESS RUBY - Hardcover

Oram, Hiawyn; Tony Ross

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0517587440 ISBN 13: 9780517587447

Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers, 1992

Synopsis

Ruby does any thing she can--including crossing canyons on tightropes and dangling from skyscrapers by her shoelaces--to defy her mother's expectations and forge her own identity.

About this title

From Publishers Weekly

Swaddled in red, Ruby is so beautiful that her family expects her to "grow up and marry a prince who'll wrap her in cotton and only bring her out for glittering banquets." Dismayed by these "dreadful predictions," the girl decides to reshape her future by becoming "very, very reckless"--a certain antidote to her precious charm. She spends her days dancing on her bicycle's handlebars, diving into fishbowls, eating "fire, and swords, and porcupines" and running away to sea until she is so covered in bumps, bruises and bandages that no self-respecting prince would give her a second look. This extravagantly droll story embraces the unlikeliest of scenarios and wildest flights of the imagination with a sly and cool glee--a sophisticated slyness that may, in fact, be over the heads of some youngsters. While the slight plot seems to serve primarily as a vehicle for Ross's typically zany, unrestrained artwork, its very silliness should prove appealing. Children will applaud this doggedly determined heroine and her dramatic transformation. Ages 3-7.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Kirkus Reviews

Ruby glows like a jewel; her mother calls her ``precious'' and hopes ``she'll grow up and marry a prince who'll wrap her in cotton and only bring her out for glittering banquets.'' On the advice of friend Harvey, Ruby spends the book in progressively more reckless acts calculated to win her a new image; she gets injured a lot, but finally gets her wish--plus Harvey's admiration. But Ruby's not interested in his proposal: she's planning to be a firefighter when she grows up. The stereotype- bashing is heavy-handed, but the perky text and wickedly zany illustrations are witty enough to retrieve the story. (Picture book. 4-8) -- Copyright ©1992, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

About this edition

• Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers
• Publication date: 1992
• ISBN 10: 0517587440
• ISBN 13: 9780517587447
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 32