Ruby

by Colin Thompson

As readers join the hunt for a missing child--a member of a miniature family of people--locked in a briefcase on the back seat of an Austin Seven named Ruby, they solve clues that lead to combination that opens the briefcase and could win their own classic car.

Genres: Childrens, Picture Books

32 pages, Hardcover

First published September 20, 1994

About the author

Since he started writing and illustrating children's books in 1990, Colin Thompson has had more than 50 books published. He has received several awards, including an Aurealis Award for the novel HOW TO LIVE FOREVER and the CBC Picture Book of the Year in 2006 for THE SHORT AND INCREDIBLY HAPPY LIFE OF RILEY. He has been shortlisted for many other awards, including the Astrid Lindgren Award - the most prestigious children's literature prize in the world.

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

Colin lives in Bellingen, Australia. His books with Random House Australia include HOW TO LIVE FOREVER, numerous picture books, THE FLOODS series, THE DRAGONS series, THE BIG LITTLE BOOK OF HAPPY SADNESS picture book, which has been shortlisted for the 2009 Children’s Book Council Award for Best Picture Book, and FREE TO A GOOD HOME.

Reviews

[Mathew]

I am a huge Colin Thompson fan and was so pleased to cover a fine copy of Ruby in the 2nd hand bookshop. The premise of the story itself is actually based around the idea of winning 'Ruby', the car itself, by discovering the number-plate hidden with the story's pages.

Although, as with all Thompson's work, there is plenty to scour and explore, it felt as if the story really was stretched to fit a marketing idea. At the time I am sure that there were a few other picturebooks doing something similar.

In this picturebook, a small family of gnome-like characters stumble into a picnic basket attached to Ruby with the youngest trapped inside. Together, the family try to get him out before the human's return. Readers will enjoy all the little details on the pages but that's about it.

[Amber]

The illustrations were definitely more absorbing than the story.


From http://trevorcairney.blogspot.com.au/...
'Ruby' (Random House, 1994) - In the roots of an old tree lives a family of tiny contented people. Their peaceful existence is shattered by the arrival of a ruby red Austin 7 and a picnic party. The car proves an irresistible trap that carries the family away to a dangerous adventure and a new life. The book won the 1994 Primary English Best Picture Book Award in the UK.

[Sally]

The story is not great but the pictures are Thompson's usual captivating style.

[GoldenjoyBazyll]

The beauty of the book is in it's illustations. I could look at them for days on end and never see everything!