Ruby by Michael Emberley

by Michael Emberley

In this animal version of the Red Riding Hood tale, a little mouse on her way to deliver a package of cheese pies to her granny falls in with a devious, smooth-talking feline

Genres: Picture Books, Fantasy, Animals, Fiction, Childrens, Fractured Fairy Tales

Library Binding

First published January 1, 1990

About the author

Michael Emberley is the illustrator of numerous books for children. He lives in Ireland.

Reviews

[Eva-Marie Nevarez · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a really cool spin on Little Red Riding Hood. There are quite a few clever differences and I can't think of any kid I know that wouldn't enjoy this story.
Immediately after finishing I found myself wondering if I can find any others that are similiar. I'll be very happy if I can find anything like it by the same author since we both enjoyed this so much.
I can't say too much for the illustrations, nothing real great, nothing bad, right smack in between.
But the story itself is worth reading IMO.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Funny and a bit intense. But unlike The Girl in Red, which clearly plagiarized this, Ruby is an actual hero, smart and brave. And the book is actually for kids, not too frightening or freaky like the other. I will look for the sequel.

[Shinji Nishida · Rating 2 out of 5]

We can see Ruby’s small journey through this book. His mother told him never trust a cat. He met a grimy reptile and he tried to steal Ruby’s cheese pies and a cat helped Ruby. Then, I expected his mind changed like “cats are actually kind.” And I thought this book wanted to tell about such a thing. But my expectation was betrayed. I felt a little pity but it was also interesting. Illustration was unique. Lines were not straight, rather blurry. It made the story warm.

[Phul Rasaily]

Ruby is written by Michael Emberley. This is very fun book where ruby rake a cheese pie to her granny and on the way there she start taking to the cat which her mother specifically said not to talk to any stranger on the way. This is the picture book so it has very colorful big pictures which kids will enjoy looking at it. For a classroom use, I would ask students to share what are the things that they are for bidden to do at their house.

[Lili · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was pretty good

[Ronnie Hobbs · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute spin off from red riding hood. Teaches a good lesson about trust and listening to your parents. Would be good for around first grade.

[skcocnaH · Rating 4 out of 5]

This books is a cute twist on the classic little red riding hood tale.

[Jillian · Rating 3 out of 5]

My God, I have read so many versions of Little Red Riding Hood. It has almost stopped being a story to me. Still, Ruby is one of the better and more original reinterpretations of the tale. I like the craftiness of Ruby, and making the characters animals also makes it more fun. Recommended!

[Amy Porter · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ruby was a very fractured version of the Little Red Riding Hood. To start off, Ruby ( a mouse who played the role similar to little red) Was taking pies to her grandmother, when a reptile (lizard) approached her and tried to snatch away the pies. Suddenly a stranger dressed very nicely ( a cat) came to her rescue and made the reptile go away. The cat seemed to have interest in the safety of Ruby, but he did not Fool Ruby. The cat asked where she was off too and Ruby explained to her grandmothers house. When the cat asked where she lived, Ruby gave him a false address and sent the cat to the wrong house. A Dogs ( rubys friend) house. The cat was not expecting that. In the end, the Dog got rid of the cat as a smoothly tired to knock on her door and pretend he was ruby, and Ruby got her pies to her grandmother. This book was a very different version of Little Red Riding Hood, then i ever read. But it was very interesting. The illustrations were colorful and unique.

[Chris · Rating 3 out of 5]

As Ruby,a young mouse, sets off to her grandmother's to deliver her triple cheese pies, her mother warns her not to talk to strangers, especially cats.

This story is a fractured fairy tail version of Little Red Riding Hood. I wasn't sure I was going to like this book until the end. It has a surprise twist, and readers will enjoy comparing it to the original. Ruby has a little bit of attitude which kids will like. And I really like the name "Ruby". Emberley is subtle, never mentioning "red riding hood" in the story. Readers will need to infer it by the pictures. Without giving the ending away, the readers must also draw more conclusions from the pictures and text at the end. While the pictures didn't particularly impress me, the overall story entertained.

Since the original Grimm fairy tale is dark, librarians and teachers alike may struggle with what is age appropriate. However teachers can provide balance by comparing the darker original version with this lighter, more humorous story. The story contains phrases like "What the... ack..." and "he slithered off, muttering foul curses". You can draw your own conclusions for what ages you might find it appropriate.

[Erma Talamante · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cute twist on a classic fairy tale, Ruby is a book-reading little mouse with attitude, who runs across some dangerous sorts in the big city where she lives. Her quick thinking saves the day when she runs across trouble on her way to Grandma's house. That, and a friendly neighbor, that is...

[Jim · Rating 2 out of 5]

urban take on little red riding hood

[Heather H · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pb.6-- cute story. It was very different from the classic little red riding hood story that I always loved. I recommend this story for anyone at any age. Loved it:) pictures were great too!!

[Rachel Dalton · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a neat twist on Little Red Riding Hood. It would be great for prediction and for comparing two different stories for similarities and differences.

[Natalie Weber · Rating 2 out of 5]

New take on an old classic. I think this would work well with older kids.

[Todd Glaeser · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm on a Michael Emberley kick lately and this is the first "Ruby" re-telling of a classic fairy tale: an urban little red riding hood.

[Nicole Bergen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is very similar to Little Red Riding Hood!

[Beverly · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful, witty version of Red Riding Hood with mice, cats, dogs; great illustrations

[Maddie Lukens]

I like this book because it shows children that bullies come in many different shapes and sizes. This book also shows students that it is okay to ask for help when you or somebody you know is in danger. I think this is a perfect book to teach young children about bullies.