PICTURE BOOK REVIEW: Ruby and Lonely by Patrice Karst, illustrated by Kayla Harren

 

RUBY AND LONELY

written by Patrice Karst, illustrated by Kayla Harren

Two Lions, 2023

ISBN: 978-1662508042

Source: Publisher through Blue Slip Media

Ages 4-8

All opinions expressed are solely my own.

Book cover & illustrations, author/illustrator bios provided by Blue Slip Media.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR/ILLUSTRATOR

Patrice Karst is the bestselling author of The Invisible String, which has sold more than a million copies and been translated into fifteen languages, and its companion titles, The Invisible Leash, The Invisible Web, You Are Never Alone: An Invisible String Lullaby, and most recently, The Invisible String Backpack. She is also the coauthor of The Invisible String Workbook with Dr. Dana Wyss. She also wrote The Smile that Went Around the World. Patrice is passionate about spreading her message of love across the planet. Born in London, England, she now lives in Southern California. Learn more at www.patricekarst.com.

Instagram: @theinvisiblestringinsta
Facebook: @TheInvisibleString

Kayla Harren is an award-winning illustrator of children’s books, including A Boy Like You, written by Frank Murphy, and The Boy Who Grew a Forest, written by Sophia Gholz, among other titles. She recently illustrated Thursday, by Ann Bonwill, which Midwest Book Review called “an impressively presented picture book of healing and hope for young children.” Her work has been featured in the Society of Illustrators, American Illustration, Communication Arts, and 3x3 Magazine, and she won the Highlights for Children Pewter Plate Award. She lives in Minnesota. Learn more at www.kaylaharren.com.

Instagram: @kaylaharren
Facebook: Kayla Harren Illustrator

REVIEW

Ruby's got a problem. With her teacher's encouragement, she gives her problem a name: Lonely. She's lonely. Her family members are busy most of the time and she doesn't have any friends at school. But once she befriends herself and starts to find enjoyable things to do, her confidence grows, and she learns to reach out to others. Karst's story really tugged at my heartstrings. As the author explains in her author's note, most people experience loneliness in their lives. Even surrounded by people, loneliness can be a real problem. The personification of loneliness in the story presents readers with an opportunity to think about it as a real thing, a real struggle for many people. For children and adults, the story provides the chance to talk about the problem of loneliness and ways to deal with it.  A great book for sharing one-on-one or in a group. And Harren's illustrations are absolutely wonderfully beautiful. Ruby, with her lovely red hair and freckles is absolutely irresistible. Few will read this book and not have their heart touched, which makes it a great book for talking about loneliness, confidence, and kindness. A tender winner of a book all the way around.

ILLUSTRATIONS