Sofie Laguna (text) and Marc McBride (illustrator), A friend for Ruby, Allen & Unwin, August 2023, 32 pp., RRP $24.99 (hbk), ISBN 9781761067648
Ruby finds a sea creature washed up on the sand – lost and cold.
She decides to keep the creature and hide it in her cubby, but soon the creature escapes.
Will Ruby regret her decision?
A friend for Ruby is from highly acclaimed author, Sofie Laguna, who is familiar with writing for young children and adults. The sincere story captures an earnest young Ruby and her desire for a friend, especially since she is picked on and called names at school.
Ruby led the creature out into the garden. She drew a dancing circle in the sand. ‘I choose you!’ she said to the creature.
Themes of friendship, compassion, and resourcefulness feature strongly throughout and readers will rally for Ruby, and marvel at her courage.
Visually there is almost a tension between the writing and art, perhaps because the illustrations by Marc McBride are so lifelike and draw the reader away from the story. Perhaps more for the older age bracket, A friend for Ruby is still full of whimsy and charm.
Reviewed by Shelley Stephens
