Ruby

This is the first book featuring Michael Emberley's wisegirl mouse, the too-cool-for-school Ruby. Her personality is evident from page 1...(ok, she's hidden behind a book on page 1, but there's cheese and other snacks on her chair, and Ruby looks like the queen of her squalid domain)...but really evident page 2, when she replies to her mother's request to bring pies to Ruby's grandmother: "Yeah?" and "But, Ma," and "Sure, Ma." When warned against strangers ("Do you hear me, Ruby? Never, never trust a cat "), Ruby shrugs it off with an assured and cheeky "Never, never, never." Ruby heads out into the mean streets of a Boston city populated only by animals: A trench-coated parrot, an astonished mouse looking out of a widow, a ticket-writing police dog, a kangaroo with a gold bag, a pig with a briefcase, a couple of drunken animals (really). Emberley knows that a kids' book must stand up to repeated readings, and detailed, surprising illustrations help accomplish this. Down the street, Ruby is accosted by a giant leather-wearing reptile who tries to steal the pies. Even in the face of danger, Ruby acts like one of the Bowery Boys: "'Buzz off, barf breath,' Ruby replied, forgetting more of her mother's advise. Smart-mouth twerp, grunted the grimy reptile. "What's in the bag?' `None of your beeswax, creepo...'" At this point, you may question whether you're comfortable with this language and sheer display of Attitude. It's the big city, after all, complete with drunken animals (we see a few sleeping it off), and bullying thieves. However, Emberley's portrayal the town's rougher section fits with his urban re-writing of "Little Red Riding Hood," and his pictures and text are constructed thoughtfully (e.g., the alliteration of "grunted the grimy reptile"). Still, you'll need to judge whether or not this is G-rated material for your older toddler or young grade-schooler. A suspiciously nice and well-dressed cat rescues Ruby, and takes an inordinate interest in her destination. Fortunately, Ruby is more than just mouth; her street smarts alert her to the real danger of this mysterious cat. In just a few words, Emberley conveys the threat behind the gentlemanly façade when he writes that the cat smelled like "cat food mixed with cheap peppermint mouthwash." Ruby outwits the trickster cat, and when she arrives at her granny's house, the cat's hat is perched on the head of granny's friend, Mrs. Mastiff--a muscular dog whose words, lack of appetite, and soft burp hint at the demise of their would-be predator. Michael Emberley has constructed a noir thriller out of a chestnut of a fable, and he succeeds dramatically. More visceral than the later "Ruby and the Sniffs," it's also funnier and more sophisticated. For the right child, a superbly written and illustrated contemporary fairy tale.

Favorite characters: Ruby a mouse, Granny, and Mrs. Mastiff Ruby, a very small mouse is given a batch of triple cheese pies to deliver to her Granny. The only problem is that Granny lives way across town, and these city streets are a little rough. Along the way Ruby encounters many dangers from mean reptiles, sly cats, and busy streets. Her mom warns her not to talk to strangers, but does Rudy listen to her. You will have to read this book to find out. This is a great book with a lot of pictures that show how busy this city is. A great book for young kids that really reminds you to listen to your parents and not talk to strangers.

This story delights elementary school students. It gives them opportunity to hear a different version of Little Red Riding Hood. A few lessons are learned at the same time in this funny book: Don't talk to strangers. Obey your parents. Think ahead. Every elementary school class that I read this book to loved it.