This Way, Ruby! (Scholastic Bookshelf) by Emmett, Jonathan (February 1, 2010) Paperback

Ruby

by Jonathan Emmett

Ruby's brothers and sisters are always racing off in search of adventure. "This way, Ruby " they call, as they race through reed beds and run up grassy banks. But little Ruby likes to take things slowly, in her own time. She prefers to look at all the lovely things that surround her - which is just as well, for when the ducklings get lost in a storm, it's down to Ruby to find the way home

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Nature, Animals, Juvenile, Family, Fiction

Unknown Binding

First published February 3, 2006

About the author

Jonathan Emmett was born in Leicestershire in 1965, the son of a factory fitter and a primary school teacher.

Jonathan loved books from an early age and some of his earliest memories are of visiting his local library. The picture books that he borrowed then, including Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak, The Cat in the Hat by Dr. Seuss and Harold and the Purple Crayon by Crockett Johnson have had a great influence on the picture books that he now writes.

It was while Jonathan was at college, studying architecture, that he first started developing his own illustrated texts, illustrating poems and lyrics that he’d written. Pleased with the results, he found himself spending more and more time on writing and illustration. Although he qualified as an architect, he found the job unsatisfying and began pursuing a career in children's books in his spare time, eventually going full-time in 1995, a few months before his thirtieth birthday.

As well as writing picture books such as Bringing Down the Moon, Someone Bigger, Pigs Might Fly and Ruby Flew Too, Jonathan also writes and paper-engineers pop-up books. His books have won several awards including the Red House Children’s Book Award “Book for Younger Children” for Pigs Might Fly and the Kiekeboekprijs for Bringing Down the Moon.

He now lives in Nottingham with his wife, Rachel, and children, Max and Laura.

You can visit Jonathan’s website atjonathanemmett.com

Reviews

[Courtney Ennis · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is about a little duckling and her family. It starts out with a mother, father, and their five little ducklings beside a lake in their nest. Four of the ducklings were always trying to find an adventure but the fifth one Ruby was small and took things slower. One day the mom and dad were taking a nap and all of the ducklings decided to go for a swim but Ruby was swimming behind them and then finally caught up. The other ducks went into the tall stems but Ruby stayed back and looked around. They kept along swimming in the lake but once again Ruby stopped to look around while the others kept swimming. She caught up to them while they got out and walked on the grass. Ruby fell behind and look around again. She saw a bunch of dragonflies and clouds forming into a storm. Then lighting started flashing in the sky so they ran in different directions until Ruby found them and told them which way to go. Ruby looked at her surroundings and recognized where to go so the other ducks followed behind her. The mother and father saw them and wondered where they had been. All of the ducks told them that Ruby led the way so they went home and followed Ruby.

This story was really fun to read. The illustrations were so cute because of the little ducklings. The author made them look really cute and appropriate for little kids. The book was very colorful and had a lot of detail on each page. I thought it was nice how the author made the runt of the family the hero in the end. I think a lot of families can relate to this because when there is family with many kids there tends to be one that is kind of the odd man out. The author made Ruby really stand out and she was able to stand out in her own ways. I also liked how Ruby was able to find her way back home because she paid attention to her surroundings, which is really important to teach little kids. I think I would read this to kids in my future classroom. It’s a really good story and is worth reading.

[Kay · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fun story with the classic start of ‘Once upon a time’ featuring a mother duck, a father duck and five little ducklings whose names were Rufus, Rory, Rosie, Rebecca and Ruby. The first four were big, bold and very adventurous, but Ruby was smaller and quiet and stayed at home. Then one day she followed them. They called out ‘THIS WAY RUBY’. Then constantly swam off quickly along the river, leaving Ruby behind whilst she stopped to look around at the scenery. She noticed the waterfall, the water lilies and the big willow tree next to some purple flowers; then she noticed a big, dark storm cloud. The lighting began and quickly she followed the others into the long grass.

Ruby found the four big, bold, ducklings huddled together, very frightened. They didn’t know which way to go home. Ruby looked around and on seeing the willow tree ‘This way’ she called. The other ducklings followed Ruby back onto the water, down past the purple flowers, past the water lilies, and then she did not know which way to go. The others began to panic, but Ruby told them to be quiet. Listening, she heard the gurgling of the waterfall and knew to follow the sound. Suddenly their parents found them. All the adventurous duckling told their parents how they had been lost, but Ruby found them and brought them back in the right direction. The mother duck was very proud of her duckling and praised her, but Ruby had already swum off towards their home calling out ‘THIS WAY EVERYONE’.

An excellent story about a family of ducks with a geographical flavour, showing how Ruby could find her bearings by following the landmarks along the river. Plus it features the animals, plants and insects that are found along the way. It uses the senses of sight and hearing and has good use of alliteration and repetition.

[Heidi-Marie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute, simple story. I love the colors in the illustrations. Good for the younger end of a preschool group, I think.

3/31/10 & 4/1/10 This book was longer than I thought, so it fits all ages in the preschool group. The kids enjoyed it--and they put up with the mistakes I made (both times!). And, again, I had to focus really hard in my tired state to get all those r's correct. Rebecca, Rory, Rosie, Rufus--that's just mean of the author! :-)

3/28/12 I managed all the r's! Woohoo! This was a good opening book with the people always coming in late and yet kids easily picking up on what they missed. The group seemed fine with it. It usually takes a book and a song before I get them to some reaction point.

1/14/15 Used as opener for Brothers & Sisters theme. As I read I had them act out fish faces and frog noises. I thought it genius on my part. Then as I kept reading I realized I should have had them focus on the waterfall, etc--the things that Ruby used to find their way back. Oops. Oh well. They still liked the story. Especially making thunder sounds.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

The colorful illustrations and sweet story really made this book a worthwhile read. I loved the alliteration of names and sounds throughout as well. And even though it might have been a traumatic situation, the author and illustrator handled it in a very appropriate manner and still managed to create an interesting story and atmosphere. The pictures were lovely, I liked the bright colors and blocky style. The ducklings were very cute and I really liked how Ruby took charge when she was needed by her siblings. A good story that I would recommend to others.

*Taken from My Sentiments Exactly!: http://reviewsatmse.blogspot.com/2013...

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked the illustrations more than anything in this book. They had this smudgy look to them that made them so beautiful! I liked how the author wrote about a character that was aware of its surroundings and noticed and/or appreciated things more. It is vital for safely and enjoyment for people to take the time to not only appreciate but also become aware of their soundings at all times. It's hard to get so caught up in having fun to not notice what is going on around you and that can be dangerous! Luckily Ruby was aware of the storm and saved her brothers and sisters.

[Marga · Rating 4 out of 5]

This Way, Ruby! is a sweet little tale about a duckling who, as I perceived it, is different - an exceptional child. I love how this story teaches kids that everyone is unique from each other and how everyone is worth something. You just have to really see someone - not in their looks or any of those other stuff but in what they can do and can contribute, in order for you to believe and get to know someone.

A must read for a preschool class setting. :)

[Elaine · Rating 4 out of 5]

This Way, Ruby! is about a young duckling who barely catches up to her hurried siblings as she observes and figures out her surroundings. Suddenly, a scary storm appears, blindsighting everyone except Ruby and wondering if everyone will make their way back home. A very good story which appears to be appropriate for early kindergarten grade and up.

[Roberta · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have used this story over and over. It can satisfy most of the age groups between 2-6. Ruby is a little duckling that is different from her brothers and sisters but winds up saving them all. Great sequencing.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Like Ruby in Her Own Time, this book follows sweet Ruby - who doesn't always race ahead with the crowd. In this particular adventure, Ruby's "stopping to smell the flowers" appreciation of her journey (rather than being obsessed with her outcome) actually helps to save the day!

[Erma Talamante · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cute tale for youngsters, teaching them to slow down and look around them. Ruby, the littlest duckling follows her siblings on an adventure, but when a storm comes, it is Ruby - the littlest and slowest duckling - that leads the rest to safety!

[Michelle Turnure · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet book about a duckling named Ruby who is different than her brother and sisters yet finds a way to use her uniqueness to fit into the family. The illustrations are large, bright and has nice visual texture. It was a good book to read aloud.

[Kaley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Obviously, a total hit with Ruby. Sweet story about a little duckling finding her independence. Loved it!

[Lindsay · Rating 5 out of 5]

animals - ducks; weather - storm; water; exploration; family

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great story where the duck who pays attention is rewarded over the ducks who are the fastest. But, in the end, they all work together and it's a sweet story.

[Christine D · Rating 4 out of 5]

loved the illustrations and wonderful little story

[Nichole · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ruby learns that stopping to smell the roses can be very helpful.

[Anthony · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ruby, the smallest of the five ducklings, goes exploring with her siblings. While her siblings are going helter-skelter, Ruby takes her time to enjoy all that is around her during their adventure. When a storm looms overhead, and the ducklings become lost it's up to Ruby to lead all back home to safety.

[Capn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is underrated - a good teachable lesson about observational skills and wayfaring. Most adults I know lack these fundamental skills!

[Cora & Ellie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Ruby!

[Amber · Rating 2 out of 5]

The Illustrations are very cute and fuzzy. The story is about Ruby the duck and how the Ruby helped his brother and sisters.

[Paula · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ruby, the smallest of five duckling siblings, always lags behind until they get lost in a storm and Ruby uses her powers of observation to try to save them.

[Contemplative · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute story. The girls liked it.

[Janae · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice story to illustrate the importance of the quiet one who pays attention.

[Mae · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ruby may be the smallest, but she knows when to take charge.