Ruby's Wish - Hardcover

Yim, Shirin

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0811834905 ISBN 13: 9780811834902

Publisher: Chronicle Books, 2002

Synopsis

Ruby is unlike most little girls in old China. Instead of aspiring to get married, Ruby is determined to attend university when she grows up, just like the boys in her family. Based upon the inspirational story of the author's grandmother and accompanied by richly detailed illustrations, Ruby's Wish is an engaging portrait of a young girl who strives for more and a family who rewards her hard work and courage.

About this title

Review:

First-time kids' book author Shirin Yim Bridges uses a tender family story to travel back to turn-of-the-century China and teach a proto-feminist lesson about perseverance and self-belief.

Idiosyncratic young Ruby lives in a large (and wealthy!) Chinese family, in a gigantic "house filled with the shrieks and laughter of over one hundred children." She stands out because she insists on always wearing red, the color of celebration ("Even when her mother made her wear somber colors like her other cousins, Ruby would tie up her jet-black hair with red ribbons") but even more so because of her quiet dissatisfaction with the family's traditional gender inequity. Determined to study reading and writing--even when it means long hours catching up on more wifely training--Ruby eventually comes to the attention of her grandfather, the wise house patriarch, who springs a surprise as the time for her to wed approaches.

Graceful Aussie illustrator Sophie Blackall captures the culture--contrasted by Ruby's bright red defiance--expertly, with elegant calligraphy, muted period clothing, and countless nice details (from a porcelain bowl full of terrapins to ink smudges on Ruby's cousins' faces). And what's better, Bridges's well-structured story is true--with a fun surprise ending! (Ages 4 to 8) --Paul Hughes

About the Author:

Shirin Yim Bridges comes from a family of writers and artists. She has lived in many countries around the world and now lives in Northern California. This is her first book for children.

Sophie Blackall has illustrated two books, A Giraffe for France by Leith Hillard and 20 Party Tricks published by Chronicle Books. She lives in New York with her husband and two small children. Just like Ruby, her favorite color is red.

About this edition

• Publisher: Chronicle Books
• Publication date: 2002
• ISBN 10: 0811834905
• ISBN 13: 9780811834902
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 36
• Illustrator: Blackall Sophie