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Banjo and Ruby Red
Banjo is an old farm dog and Ruby Red is a haughty chicken, and they never see eye to eye. Can they ever be friends? This funny story of antagonism and love is by award-winning author Libby Gleeson and internationally acclaimed illustrator Freya Blackwood.
32 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2013
52 people want to read
About the author
Libby Gleeson
63 books38 followers"I was born in Young, a small town in south western NSW in 1950. After a few years we moved to Glen Innes, on the northern tablelands and then when I was ten we moved out west to Dubbo. We moved because my father was a schoolteacher and each change meant a promotion for him.
There were six children in the family. I was number three and there wasn't a lot of money. We didn't have television and of course there was no such thing as a computer.
Books and reading were hugely important. I remember going to the library on a Saturday morning and borrowing five or six books and reading them all by Sunday night.
When I finished High School I studied at the University of Sydney. I had a great time studying mainly history but also getting involved in lots of things happening at the University and the city. It was the time of the anti-Vietnam war protests and the rise of the Women's Movement.
I taught for two years in a small town, Picton, which is just outside of Sydney. I really enjoyed that time but I wanted to travel and in 1976 I headed off for five years. I based myself first in Italy where I taught English and then in London where I started writing my first novel, Eleanor, Elizabeth. I attended a creative writing group where the other students pushed me to write a better book. In London I also met my husband. We came back to Sydney in 1980. We've got three daughters.
When we first came back I taught at the University of NSW but now I write full-time. I've written thirty books and I've also taught occasional courses in creative writing and I've visited lots of schools to talk about my work.
I write picture books, novels for young kids and also novels for slightly older readers. I've done a book about writing and also a small amount of writing for television: Bananas in Pyjamas and Magic Mountain.
The writer's life is pretty good. It's a job where you work for yourself, in your daggy track suit, at times that suit you. What more could you ask for?"
from: http://www.libbygleeson.com.au/biogra...
There were six children in the family. I was number three and there wasn't a lot of money. We didn't have television and of course there was no such thing as a computer.
Books and reading were hugely important. I remember going to the library on a Saturday morning and borrowing five or six books and reading them all by Sunday night.
When I finished High School I studied at the University of Sydney. I had a great time studying mainly history but also getting involved in lots of things happening at the University and the city. It was the time of the anti-Vietnam war protests and the rise of the Women's Movement.
I taught for two years in a small town, Picton, which is just outside of Sydney. I really enjoyed that time but I wanted to travel and in 1976 I headed off for five years. I based myself first in Italy where I taught English and then in London where I started writing my first novel, Eleanor, Elizabeth. I attended a creative writing group where the other students pushed me to write a better book. In London I also met my husband. We came back to Sydney in 1980. We've got three daughters.
When we first came back I taught at the University of NSW but now I write full-time. I've written thirty books and I've also taught occasional courses in creative writing and I've visited lots of schools to talk about my work.
I write picture books, novels for young kids and also novels for slightly older readers. I've done a book about writing and also a small amount of writing for television: Bananas in Pyjamas and Magic Mountain.
The writer's life is pretty good. It's a job where you work for yourself, in your daggy track suit, at times that suit you. What more could you ask for?"
from: http://www.libbygleeson.com.au/biogra...
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
December 17, 2014
Heartwarming story of a dog who helps a chicken, converting an old enemy into a friend by the care he has for her when she is sick
January 23, 2016
My 4 year old daughter borrowed this one from the library and when I told her that she couldn't borrow the HUGE pile she had collected and that we had to put SOME of them back for next time, this one made it into the pile that HAD to come home. When I put it in the pile to be returned to the shelf she was adamant that she WANTED this one. I was slightly surprised and put it down to the two sparkly stickers on the front that she was showing me (from the Children's Book Council of Australia, Shortlisted and Honour).
The story is about a dog and a chook that don't really see eye to eye. The dog's job is to put the chickens away at night and Ruby likes to sit on top of the wood pile and snub him. When Ruby fails to turn up on the wood pile one evening the dog goes looking for her.
At this point in the story I asked 4yo if the chook was dead. She looked at me and said, "No! She is just sick". When this was the case I asked her if she had read this story before and she said that she had. I think that it would have been with her kindergarten class.
She must have really responded to the story because she thoroughly enjoyed the reading this time round as well, and the fact that she really wanted to borrow it again is a good indicator that a book is good!
I thought it was a lovely story and wondered if it was true. Which I don't think so but even so, it was endearing and the character of the dog was delightful and the relationship between the dog and the chook in the end was a touching happily ever after.
5 stars.
The story is about a dog and a chook that don't really see eye to eye. The dog's job is to put the chickens away at night and Ruby likes to sit on top of the wood pile and snub him. When Ruby fails to turn up on the wood pile one evening the dog goes looking for her.
At this point in the story I asked 4yo if the chook was dead. She looked at me and said, "No! She is just sick". When this was the case I asked her if she had read this story before and she said that she had. I think that it would have been with her kindergarten class.
She must have really responded to the story because she thoroughly enjoyed the reading this time round as well, and the fact that she really wanted to borrow it again is a good indicator that a book is good!
I thought it was a lovely story and wondered if it was true. Which I don't think so but even so, it was endearing and the character of the dog was delightful and the relationship between the dog and the chook in the end was a touching happily ever after.
5 stars.
August 1, 2014
Fantastic illustrations lovely story of friendship
July 25, 2014
Frey Blackwood's illustrations are amazing in Banjo and Ruby Red. I gave story this to my young grandson with a hand puppet that looks like Banjo. Now Banjo and his kindness is a legend in their house. Banjo has become a role model to show gentleness to baby brothers. Libby Gleeson has written a beautiful story, and Banjo's eyes are so expressive they bring tears.
March 30, 2015
Good illustrations and lovely story about a dog and a rooster becoming friends when the dog takes the rooster in to get better. A lovely read aloud for K-2.
June 21, 2015
author: Libby Gleeson
illustrator: Freya Blackwood
First Published: 2013
Blackwood's simple oil paint and charcoal illustrations in a soft colour palette add a sweet country feel to Gleeson's story of friendship and caring between unlikely friends.
Age:
Read aloud - 4+
Read yourself - 7+
References:
Author's webpage: http://www.libbygleeson.com.au/about%...
Illustrator's webpage: http://freyablackwood.blogspot.com.au...
(ISBN 9781921541087)
-CR-
illustrator: Freya Blackwood
First Published: 2013
Blackwood's simple oil paint and charcoal illustrations in a soft colour palette add a sweet country feel to Gleeson's story of friendship and caring between unlikely friends.
Age:
Read aloud - 4+
Read yourself - 7+
References:
Author's webpage: http://www.libbygleeson.com.au/about%...
Illustrator's webpage: http://freyablackwood.blogspot.com.au...
(ISBN 9781921541087)
-CR-
February 25, 2015
Lively, undulating writing and lively undulating illustrations. Gorgeous colour. Lovely, feathery hens.
Very nice book design and lettering by Vida and Luke Kelly, especially with regards to the barking and squarking.
It's hard to imagine this as a usual or effective chicken lock-up technique, but apparently it's a true story!
Very nice book design and lettering by Vida and Luke Kelly, especially with regards to the barking and squarking.
It's hard to imagine this as a usual or effective chicken lock-up technique, but apparently it's a true story!
March 15, 2021
Teaching note: 1. It’s a great little story that incorporates onomatopoeia into the visuals. 2. The overall visual style and illustrations that I really enjoyed as incorporate energy and movement into each illustration, showing the passage of time within a single image. Great visual visual to model as an example to show the relationship between image and word in picture books
July 4, 2016
The story of a hard working 'chook dog' and an insolent chicken who become friends. Libby Gleeson has created a simply addictive story for a younger audience and Freya Blackburn's illustrations capture the feel of a farmyard perfectly.
December 4, 2016
A cute story, well structured and illustrated about a hen that has no respect for authority and affection in strange places. More than likely based on a true story. Simple yet enjoyable (and not ruined by the right-wing moral you would expect)
February 19, 2019
It's not just the illustrations that are top-notch, it's the copy too.
The story of this unlikely friendship set against the backdrop of an Australian Farm is utterly heartwarming. As a parent, I can read this book time and again and enjoy each and every time. It's just beautiful.
The story of this unlikely friendship set against the backdrop of an Australian Farm is utterly heartwarming. As a parent, I can read this book time and again and enjoy each and every time. It's just beautiful.
October 7, 2014
A tale of "frenemies" and truly touching compassion. A book to read aloud noisily so skilfully illustrated by the wonderful Freya Blackwood.
October 20, 2014
I enjoyed this book and thought it really made you think about friendship.
January 15, 2016
Read my review here: http://msblairrecommends.blogspot.co....
February 10, 2016
Cute but a little disturbing as in one part it appears that the chicken is dead.
April 25, 2016
Wonderful book to teach about unexpected friendships! We can find friends everywhere.
July 23, 2017
Gleeson is a master storyteller and doesn't shy away from writing sadness, even in a picture book for young children. The story is a beautiful one about friendship and care, particularly touching as it is told through the eyes of a loyal dog and a brave hen. Beautifully illustrated by Freya Blackwood, this book will leave an impression.
November 16, 2019
A deceptively simple story about making friends and how opposites attract. It gives you a bit of a fright in the middle, but everything turns out wonderfully. Beautifull illustrations complement the text to create an endearing picture book for young children.
It doesn't hurt that my dog is a Banjo too. Gotta love this book.
It doesn't hurt that my dog is a Banjo too. Gotta love this book.
August 12, 2020
This story was so indicative of my holidays on my great aunt's farm. There was always one animal that wanted to buck the trend.
I love this story about the friendship that grew between friend and foe. Libby has written it beautifully.
The pictures are delightful and I love the medium they have been created in. Freya has created scenes that could easily come to life at the click of a finger.
I love this story about the friendship that grew between friend and foe. Libby has written it beautifully.
The pictures are delightful and I love the medium they have been created in. Freya has created scenes that could easily come to life at the click of a finger.
September 25, 2025
This picture book is about a dog and a stubburn old hen. The hen doesn't like anyone and doesn't follow direction. When the hen gets injured, the dog finds her and cuddles with her until she is better, then doesn't leave her side.
A lovely story of kindness about how friendships can form between different animals.
A lovely story of kindness about how friendships can form between different animals.
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July 30, 2021I got super worried in the middle there! I'm so glad things turned out OK. I wonder what was wrong with Ruby. Lovely illustrations.
October 16, 2025
wonderfully illustrated, fun and touching.
January 2, 2017
This is a really fun book to read with your child. It also teaches the kids about non-judgement, and caring for others in need. The Aussie flavour is strong and we loved it.
April 24, 2017
beautifully illustrated story of unlikely friends
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews