Ruby is a bird who doesn't seem to fit in with other birds. She flies around and asks other birds to fly with her and to be her friend, but none of them are quite like her. She meets a bird who does not want to be her friend, and Ruby becomes sad. She then meets another bird who says he's heard her name before, and he takes her to see tons of birds just like her. Ruby finally fits in, but she doesn't stop there. She goes on to introduce the other Ruby's to the friends she's made along the way. This is a perfect book to teach about outcasts and fitting in. Stead, once again, shows his reoccurring theme of incorporating animals into his books. ( )

This is a sweet tale about friendship and learning new things. ( )

Ruby is a bird that introduces herself to other animals she meets. She meets one bird who she ask to be her friend but he says no thank you. She gets really sad and sings a sad song until the sun comes out. Then she meets another curious bird and they introduce themselves. The curious birds says she has heard the name Ruby and he takes Ruby to a tree where there are many birds like her. Ruby ask the new birds if they would like to meet her other friends. Ruby introduces her new friends to her old friends. I believe this book is a fantasy because we know birds can't talk and usually birds like to stay with their flocks.
I think this book used chalk for its media.
age primary

The story is about a little yellow bird named Ruby. She is trying to find friends. Although she is a tiny bird, Ruby is fearless. She is not afraid of the other large animals that she encounters along the way and is kind to everyone. Ruby shows others what is means to be a true friend and in the end brings all the friends she met along the way to be together. ( )

Philip Stead has created another wonderful book. This one draws us into the friendliness and outgoing personality of Ruby, a little yellow bird. She introduces herself to bird after bird, no matter their size or color. She experiences various responses which remind me of the ways I receive various responses to my own overtures to strangers and friends alike. Ruby asks questions, learns new things, gets rides, imitates, and is always on the lookout for new friends.

The words are few, but Mr. Stead’s illustrations say so very much. They are colorful, cute, simple, yet filled with emotion and expression. They are fun! The book is fun! And I was going to remind you NOT to miss the back cover of this book, but the video below gives that drawing to you in living artwork!

Reading Level: 3 – 6 Years

Philip C. Stead is the author of the Caldecott Medal winning book A Sick Day for Amos McGee, which I reviewed earlier on this blog. It was named a New York Times Best Illustrated Book of 2010 and a Publishers Weekly Best Children’s Book of 2010, illustrated by his wife, Erin E. Stead. Philip has written and illustrated several of his own books including Jonathan and the Big Blue Boat, A Home for Bird, and his debut Creamed Tuna Fish and Peas on Toast. Philip and Erin live in an 100-year-old barn in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Philip Stead’s website is http://philipstead.com/ ( )