About the Book:
Title: Ruby and Lonely
Author: Patrice Karst
Illustrator: Kayla Harren
Pub. Date: September 12, 2023
Beagles and Books is thrilled to be part of the blog tour for Ruby and Lonely published by Two Lions/Amazon Publishing. Special thanks to the publisher and Barbara Fisch of Blue Slip Media for sending me a copy in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Review:
Whether she is at school or home, Ruby has a problem, but doesn’t know how to fix it. Once her teacher, Mr. Garcia, discusses how naming a problem can help you solve it, Ruby has a tool to help her. After some reflection, Ruby decides to name her problem Lonely and speak to it directly. Harren’s depiction of Ruby confronting Lonely is powerful with Lonely reflecting in black and white.
Once Ruby names her problem, she brings Lonely to school and plays with her at recess. At home, Ruby and Lonely reads, paints, and dances together causing Ruby to smile. Not long after, Ruby asks a new student to play with her, runs with her dog Lola, and shares a dessert and artwork with her family. Astute readers will notice that Lonely is no longer black and white, but a mirror image of Ruby full of color and confidence.
With Lonely’s support, Ruby has the courage to ask her siblings and her parents to do things like go out for pizza, make crafts, or read a bedtime story. Even Ruby’s dog, Lola is aware of her change joining her on her bed. As Ruby’s confidence builds, Harren shows Lonely becoming transparent. Ruby and Lonely are now connected forever.
Karst’s tender narrative brought on tears of both sadness and joy. My heart hurt for Ruby when she felt so alone, but once she took Mr. Garcia’s advice, my heart quickly healed. Lonely was always inside of Ruby, but until she named her, Ruby couldn’t successfully confront her problem. I appreciated how Karst made the decision to have Ruby take the initiative which makes Ruby and Lonely is a great read aloud to support children’s self-sufficiency in problem solving. At the end of book, Karst writes a note to readers sharing the inspiration for the story as well as questions to promote discussion.
About the Author:
Patrice Karst is the bestselling author of The Invisible String, which has sold more than a million copies and been translated into fifteen languages, and its companion titles, The Invisible Leash, The Invisible Web, You Are Never Alone: An Invisible String Lullaby, and most recently, The Invisible String Backpack. She is also the coauthor of The Invisible String Workbook with Dr. Dana Wyss. She also wrote The Smile that Went Around the World. Patrice is passionate about spreading her message of love across the planet. Born in London, England, she now lives in Southern California. Learn more at www.patricekarst.com.
Instagram: @theinvisiblestringinsta
Facebook: @TheInvisibleString
About the Illustrator:
Kayla Harren is an award-winning illustrator of children’s books, including A Boy Like You, written by Frank Murphy, and The Boy Who Grew a Forest, written by Sophia Gholz, among other titles. She recently illustrated Thursday, by Ann Bonwill, which Midwest Book Review called “an impressively presented picture book of healing and hope for young children.” Her work has been featured in the Society of Illustrators, American Illustration, Communication Arts, and 3×3 Magazine, and she won the Highlights for Children Pewter Plate Award. She lives in Minnesota. Learn more at www.kaylaharren.com.
Instagram: @kaylaharren
Facebook: Kayla Harren Illustrator
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