Book Review: Ruby's Sword by Jacqueline Veissid

Ruby’s Sword

by Jacqueline Veissid (jP Veissid)

 

This book is for all those little sisters who continually get left behind. Ruby’s brothers always race ahead of her and won’t include her in their adventures. As she is left trailing her brothers once again, she happens upon three perfect sticks — no, they are swords! She imagines the swords could make for great quests. She is quick to share her discovery, but yet again her brothers won’t let her join in their sword play.

 

Instead of feeling sorry for herself, Ruby goes off on her own adventure: battling cloud dragons, harvesting apples for hungry squirrels, and assisting ants across a stream. And then it happens. A sheet blows off the drying line and Ruby catches it with her trusty sword. An idea takes shape. Ruby uses her sword as a tent pole and makes a shelter for herself and her animal friends. This time the brothers want in. But not so fast. First they have to bring her “honorable offerings” such as rocks, dandelions, and even their swords. Together the three siblings turn Ruby’s meager tent into a magnificent castle with three sword peaks. And finally they find an adventure they can experience together.

 

Ruby’s Sword is a sweet picture book, beautifully illustrated by Paola Zakimi. It teaches the lesson that our best adventures are the ones we make for ourselves. Don’t follow someone else’s path, blaze your own trail.

 

(If you enjoy this, you may also wish to try I am the Storm by Jane Yolen, or My Papi Has A Motorcycle by Isabel Quintero.)

 

( official Ruby’s Sword page on the official Jacqueline Veissid web site )

 

Recommended by Cindy K.
Bennett Martin Public Library — Public Service

 

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