When we first received a set of two Ruby Red Shoes books, my first thought was – these are quite girly books. (Not that in the day and age we live in that is even slightly distinguishable!) The first night we read this story to Daniel however, I continued reading way after he fell asleep to finish the book because it was just that entertaining! We received the first two in a series that currently has three books including Ruby Red Shoes: A Very Aware Hare and Ruby Red Shoes goes to Paris! We adore them both!
Ruby Red Shoes: A Very Aware Hare
The first in the series Ruby Red Shoes is the introduction to who Ruby is, where she gets her name and what is up with the red shoes? Ruby lives in a beautifully painted caravan with everything a little aware hare’s heart could desire. She lives with her grandmother, Babushka Galushka. Babushka has taught Ruby to be an aware hare. She handles feelings (her own and that of others) like she would bird’s egg shells, with great care. Ruby loves to garden as well as teach her chickens some interesting habits, because these are some smart chickens! Her days are full of adventure, mindfulness and imaginative play.
Ruby Red Shoes Goes to Paris!
We already know from the first book in this series that Ruby loves the French language, and when she visits Paris with her granny it can only be amazing! Although her beloved chickens cannot go with her, she thinks of them and writes to them. Ruby enjoys every single bit of Paris, the sites, the pastries, the shopping and records everything in her travel notebook. She wants to remember this trip forever. New friends, experiences and memories – Babushka and Ruby’s hearts are exploding by the time they need to head home. Au revoir Paris!
Our thoughts…
Daniel loves this book because it is somewhat longer than his normal books. I on the other hand love these books for so many other reasons! I love the descriptions that Kate Knapp uses, they are different and somewhat sophisticated, her language gives you a real feel for who Ruby is. She has a way (my favourite kind of way) of taking you to where she is, and helping you feel and understand Ruby’s feeling about things too. The illustrations in the book complete this package beautifully and I absolutely adore Ruby (in case you didn’t already figure that out). They are light, detailed and beautifully colourful!
These books are available online at Takealot, Raru and Loot for between R118 – R165 each.
Disclaimer: This post is not sponsored, but Pan Macmillan sent us these books, with no obligation to review.
In the Meantime – have you read any of the Ruby Red Shoes books? Did you enjoy them as much as I did?