Dear Ruby, Hear Our Hearts

by Ruby Bridges, John Jay Cabuay (Illustrator)

National civil rights activist and icon Ruby Bridges responds to letters from thoughtful and concerned young students from across America.

"I've heard their hearts and now share those hearts with you. These pages truly speak to the power of children!" -- Ruby Bridges

Ruby Bridges was the first Black child to attend an all-white elementary school in New Orleans. She established the Ruby Bridges Foundation to promote tolerance and to create change through education. She traveled across the US, listening to the inspiring voices of young children.

Dear Ruby, Hear Our Hearts is a compilation of letters from concerned young students about today's issues, including bullying, climate change, gun violence, and racism. Reading Ruby's intuitive and inspirational responses, young readers will embrace the courage to be brave, bold, and confident.



Dear Ruby,

My name is Olivia. Thank you for sharing your story. It made me want to be brave and stand up to make a change. You showed me to not give up when something is unfair. You can make it change, no matter what. I bet you were scared just like me. You said that if someone or something is putting you down, you get back up.

My heart heard that, and I am trying to be more like you.

Sincerely,

Olivia



My dearest Olivia,

I am so pleased you wrote to me, especially about standing up. I know all too well how scary it can be to stand up for yourself or even others. Just know it takes a courageous and brave person to stand up, even if you are afraid. It happens to us all!

I am proud of you,

Ruby Bridges



The students' letters and Ruby's responses are powerfully illustrated with dynamic and thought-provoking artwork by John Jay Cabuay.

Genres: Picture Books, Nonfiction, Social Justice, Activism, History, Childrens

32 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 2, 2024

About the author

Ruby Nell Bridges Hall is an American civil rights activist. She was the first African-American child to desegregate the all-white William Frantz Elementary School in Louisiana during the New Orleans school desegregation crisis on November 14, 1960.

Reviews

[Robert Lurie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Today is Martin Luther King day and I attended a program with Ruby Bridges. So inspiring. This is obviously a children’s book targeting young people who are currently the same age as Ruby when she desegregated an elementary school in New Orleans. The art work is beautiful and engaging. The format of letters and response humanizes the children and Bridges. Can’t wait to share the book with younger students.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Why is this adorable book banned? Children inspired by the bravery of Ruby Bridges and what she went through as a child wrote her letters of ways they’ve been brave. She responds to their letters praising their bravery. Book banning is out of control. This is such a sweet book with a good message!

[Cathy Farrell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Given the thousands of letters Ms. Bridges has received over the years, I wish that this had been longer, to include more of them.

[Alicia · Rating 2 out of 5]

Celebrating children's voices through one who was a famous child herself, Ruby Bridges, put together a book in which students have written to her and she answers them.

It was lovely to read but it wasn't anything that I felt an overwhelming sense of connection to the presentation of the material and the message, but it's there for anyone who wants it. Giving students voice is always a lovely thing, I will never discount that.

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5

I heard Ms. Bridges on TV. I was inspired to read the book.

The format is innovative. Children wrote to Ms. Bridges telling how they were bullied, called names, or want to play sports and can't, to name a few few. She answers the letters in telling the writer how brave they are.

It takes all of 5-10 minutes to read this gem. I'll read it again before returning it to the library maybe tomorrow. It would be a great resource for upper elementary teachers to share in February.

[Ellon · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars (I liked it)

There is a lot of good in this book. Easy to understand for kids but full of really important topics. It would go well with our 5th grade We Shall Overcome unit (except it reads a little young for them). I especially enjoyed the beautiful illustrations.

I do think it tries to cover a bit too much and some of the text, especially in Ruby's responses, comes off kind of stiff.

[Jenny G · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing Amazing Amazing! I love this book. Everyone should read this book. It shows how kids see our world and their ambition to change it for the better. For Everyone. And to read Ruby Bridges' replies to each of these letter from children around the country is inspiring. My favorite quote is on the back cover: "Racism is a grown-up disease... stop using us to spread it!"

[Caroline · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked the unique format of this book -- with letters to and from Ruby Bridges. It was interesting and hopeful to hear from young people about the things that concern them and their dreams and plans for the future. The colorful illustrations, which show lots of different kids, added an element of kid-energy that the book definitely needed.

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a cool book. It’s beautifully illustrated and the letters are short but powerful. It’s very easy to understand. Also- there’s a glossary of highlighted terms at the back which is super helpful though some of the definitions, in my opinion, are more confusing than the original word.

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Inspiring book of letters to Ruby Bridges and her responses to the children who wrote. Each stands alone and blends with the others to create a portrait of strength and passion. The artwork captures the possible situations the writers share.

[Ashley Halbardier · Rating 4 out of 5]

Saw her on the Colbert Show last night and had to read through it. I love her story and her bravery. And through her bravery, she inspires so many to take a stand against any challenges we face.

[Kenzie Dye · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is great! It brings up very important issues in our world and is filled with inclusivity. It even has a glossary in the end for the language used in the book. Love it!

[GS Dachslove · Rating 4 out of 5]

Letters written to Ruby Bridges and then her response.

Could be good for letter writing unit, social justice unit,

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very sweet and gentle.

[Dr. Julie Wasmund Hoffman · Rating 4 out of 5]

This new picture book is a collection of letters Ruby Bridges received from children, and her lovely responses.