Title: Ruby's Wish
Author: Shirin Yim Bridges
Artist: Sophie Blackall
Genre: Family / China / School / Independence
Year Published:2002
Year Read: 2015
Publisher: Chronicle Books
Source: Library
Content Rating: Ages 4+ (Themes of Sexism)
Buy on: Amazon // Book Depository
I have read many children’s books that take place in China,
but I had read a children’s book that is as inspirational and heartwarming as “Ruby’s Wish!” “Ruby’s Wish” is an Ezra Jack Keats award winning children’s book by Shirin Yim Bridges along with
illustrations by Sophie Blackall that
is a heartwarming experience that the whole family would relive over and over
again!
In ancient China, there lived an old man who had an enormous
family of over one hundred children and out of all of the children, there was a
little girl named Ruby who was the most unique out of all the children, as she
is always shown wearing a red outfit for any occasion due to the fact that red
is her favorite color. Back during those
times, even though all of Ruby’s grandfather’s children were able to attend
school, only the boys were allowed to learn how to read and write, while the
girls were only allowed to learn how to cook and keep house for their future
husbands. Ruby, however, has managed to
obtain a special talent in learning calligraphy and she desperately wishes to
go to a university instead of getting married.
Will Ruby be able to attend the university just like she always wanted?
Read this book to find out!
Wow! This book was simply amazing and brilliant! I never would have thought that I would read
a children’s book that really stresses the importance of education while also
teaching children about the importance of equality in the school system. Shirin
Yim Bridges did a brilliant job at writing this book as Ruby is shown as
being a gentle yet independent girl whose only desire is to attend a university
just like her male cousins, despite the fact that she was not allowed to attend
university due to her gender. I loved
how Shirin Yim Bridges was able to
tackle such a tough subject such as how women were not allowed to attend
schools while men were and gave us a protagonist who was determined to break
the norms of society to get want she truly desires and that made me really root
for Ruby throughout the entire story since I believe that education is
extremely important to anyone and everyone should have the opportunity to
obtain a good education for themselves. Sophie Blackall’s artwork is truly
amazing to look at as we get to see how ancient China looked like and I really
loved the exotic clothing worn by each character, especially by Ruby who is
constantly seen in a different variety of red clothing.
Overall, “Ruby’s Wish”
is a truly beautiful and inspiring book that teaches children to stand up for
what they believe in and expresses the importance of a good education for
everyone. I would recommend this book to
children ages four and up since there is nothing inappropriate in this book.
* 2003 Ezra Jack Keats Book Award for New Writer and New Illustrator
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