Ruby and Lonely

by Patrice Karst, Kayla Harren (Illustrations)

From the bestselling author of The Invisible String comes a timely and powerful story about a little girl who has a big problem with feeling lonely. Ruby’s got a problem. At school and at home, everyone is so busy all the time, and no one seems to notice her at all. Ruby finds herself feeling kind of…lonely. It’s a big problem! But one day, while walking home alone after school, she decides to look at her problem from a new angle. She even gives it a name―Lonely―a seemingly small but significant decision that transforms her problem, and entire life, in the most surprising and extraordinary way. Join Ruby as she discovers her inner best friend in this relatable and heartwarming story. A note from the author and discussion questions are included.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Mental Health, Friendship

32 pages, Hardcover

Published September 12, 2023

About the author

Patrice Karst is the author of the bestselling, contemporary classic children’s (and adults’!) book The Invisible String, which has sold over 1.5 million copies and been translated into seventeen languages. It is the story of the String (made out of love!) that connects us all. The Invisible String book series offers children a tangible understanding of love and teaches the world about the String that “even though you can’t see it with your eyes, you can feel it in your heart and know that you are always connected to everyone you love.”
In addition to being shared by all ages as a gift for many of life’s milestone moments, it is also being used by schools, psychologists, hospices, grief groups, the military, hospitals, prison systems and countless organizations worldwide for any kind of loss or separation issues. A leading title for healing, comfort, celebrations, bereavement and counseling of children and their families since its original publication in
2000, The Invisible String continues to soar because of its timeless message.
Patrice has been on a lifelong mission to share the message that this energy called love transcends time and space and is the most powerful force in all the universe.
Patrice has also written The Invisible String Backpack, Ruby and Lonely, The Invisible Leash: An Invisible String Story Celebrating Love After the Loss of a Pet, The Invisible String Workbook: Creative Activities to Comfort, Calm and Connect, a therapeutic activity book co-written with Dana Wyss, Ph.D., The Invisible Web: An Invisible String Story Celebrating Love and Our Universal Connection, You Are Never Alone: An Invisible String Lullaby and The Smile that Went Around the World.
Born in London, England, Patrice moved to the United States as a child, where she spent many a night pondering the meaning of life under the canopy of stars, and has been on a fascinating creative and spiritual journey ever since.
The single mother of Elijah (now grown) lives near the beach in Ventura, California, where she is currently writing her memoir (and what a wild ride it has been!), working on more stories, and still gazing up in wonder at starry nights.
Patrice loves to hear from her readers! To find out more or to contact Patrice, go to www.patricekarst.com.
If you reach out--she promises to reach back!

Reviews

[Stacie · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a child, and even sometimes as an adult, author Patrice Karst has felt lonely. RUBY AND LONELY was written for all the kids out there who feel lonely.

Ruby had a problem, but she didn’t know what to do about it. So she named her problem, Lonely. Ruby felt alone at home, at school, and at recess. It seemed no one noticed her. So, she decided to try solving her problem, hoping it would cheer her up.

As Ruby and Lonely started to spend time together, Ruby started to glow. Ruby brought Lonely to school and they loved watching the birds or sharing sandwiches. Ruby and Lonely would dance or paint or read together. Ruby even made a new friend at school. Soon other kids wanted to play with Ruby…and Lonely. As Ruby became happier, she started to feel more joyful and Lonely started to glow a bit more from the inside. As time went on, Ruby didn’t need Lonely as much, but she knew that Lonely would always be there for her.

Karst hopes that kids realize the only person that they can count on is themselves. You are your own best friend and you are never really alone. The more you love yourself, the more you will be able to find joy in other things and with other people. For all the kids who have felt alone or ignored, this book is for them. Discussion questions at the end of the book help kids explore feelings of loneliness and what helped Ruby feel less lonely.

[Pam · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received an electronic copy from Amazon Publishing through SLJ Picture Book Palooza.
Sweet story of a young girl who is quiet and does not reach out. The rest of her family is wrapped up in their own activities so she is alone at home and at school. Her teacher talks with the class about problems and offers the suggestion to name them. She decides to name her issue Lonely and the two of them become friends. This leads to her being bolder and asking for what she needs.
Kudos to Karst for encouraging readers to be who they are and to reach out to others. I was deeply saddened that the rest of the family completely missed that she was not included in their lives.

[Charessa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Amazon Publishing for the digital review copy!

Firstly, I want to say how much I just love the art in this--beautiful, complex illustrations that are vibrant and show a diverse cast of secondary characters next to the main character. It's easily my favorite part of the book and what caught my eye when I saw the cover.

As for the story itself, I appreciate the message that learning to enjoy your own company soothes the hurt of loneliness. It's easy to get so wrapped up in believing that everything has to be done with someone else that you can do fun things by yourself. I also liked that this helped Ruby gain confidence in herself and regain some happiness that acted as a natural magnet drawing others to her. However, I wish it didn't have to take that for people to start wanting to be in her company. Literally everyone--even the dog!--just seemed to act like she didn't exist. I'm aware that some households are certainly neglectful like this, but to have only one single teacher be the only living being outside her house that Ruby gets attention from... I don't know. She doesn't even bother attempting to reach out to anyone, not even that teacher (who says he'll help her solve any of her problems).

Overall, it was a sweet book about overcoming one's loneliness, with beautiful illustrations.

[Theediscerning · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ruby has a big problem that seems to alienate her from all other people. Yes, she's ginger. Well, no, that's not the issue – although she has lovely russet locks and is alone in this book, even in her family, for having them. The issue is that she's alone, and nobody looks like changing that. Until, that is, a wonderful new best friend is spotted – in the mirror. Yes, this gorgeous volume wants us to know that our best friend, helper, companion and decision- and problem-sharer is always a reflective panel away, and so when Ruby meets her mirror image she can find it a lot more easy to meet other, real people. It's a wonderful concept, and clearly not a false one, so I just wish the text had hit that beat with more overtness and conviction. Visually we're in a faultless world of beauty, and textually I think we've got a book that can convey what it wants – but only with the help of the author's end-note, and some serious thinking around Ruby's situation. Very little for this age range is hurt by more obviousness, and I wish we'd had it here, somehow. Still, the topic of loneliness – and this is a pre-social media, juvenile kind of loneliness, mind – does need to be sorted for some readers, and this could well be the piece that does that. Therefore four stars share each other's company.

[Lindsay DeRollo · Rating 5 out of 5]

This beautiful and unique story stirred up something deep inside of me. I, like Ruby, went through my own loneliness at times when growing up. It's definitely not something we talk about enough. I really felt for the main character, as she reminded me of myself at an older age (my teen years). If I had known then how to be my own best friend, I can guarantee that things would have turned out a lot different and I would have been so much happier.

I like how the story isn't necessarily about creating an imaginary friend, so to speak, or shutting other people out. Instead, it shows children in an easy-to-understand and relatable way how to be their own best friend, which makes building relationships so much easier as a result. Confidence is key!

I am so happy that more and more books today are teaching the importance of this, as well as strategies for dealing with and understanding all types of mental health issues. We need to make it common and normal to discuss mental health, both in the classroom and in society.

The bright and animated illustrations are adorable, and they will draw children right into the story. I also like how Ruby's friend, Lonely, gradually begins to come to life through her colored appearance as the story goes on.

This is a charming book that I highly recommend for all children to read.

[Heidi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ruby's got a problem. With her teacher's encouragement, she gives her problem a name: Lonely. She's lonely. Her family members are busy most of the time and she doesn't have any friends at school. But once she befriends herself and starts to find enjoyable things to do, her confidence grows, and she learns to reach out to others. Karst's story really tugged at my heartstrings. As the author explains in her author's note, most people experience loneliness in their lives. Even surrounded by people, loneliness can be a real problem. The personification of loneliness in the story presents readers with an opportunity to think about it as a real thing, a real struggle for many people. For children and adults, the story provides the chance to talk about the problem of loneliness and ways to deal with it. A great book for sharing one-on-one or in a group. And Harren's illustrations are absolutely wonderfully beautiful. Ruby, with her lovely red hair and freckles is absolutely irresistible. Few will read this book and not have their heart touched, which makes it a great book for talking about loneliness, confidence, and kindness. A tender winner of a book all the way around.

[Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ruby doesn't have any friends and her family are too busy with their own activities to notice her. In fact, Ruby is very lonely and Lonely becomes her new friend. She takes Lonely wherever she goes and they make up their own fun. The more fun and happiness she finds with Lonely, the light in Lonely glows brighter. And as that brightness grows, so does the feeling of loneliness escapes Ruby. She begins to make friends and receive attention from her family when she asks them out. By the end, Ruby knows Lonely will always be with her, but that she will never ever be truly alone again.

This is a wonderful story about dealing with loneliness, as in Ruby's case. Karst subtly implies that how Ruby gains the attention from others is through finding pride and love for herself. The more she begins to see her inner self in a new light was she able to no longer feel Lonely clinging to her. Self-love in itself is a good message to bring to readers and addressing loneliness, as the author states, is an issue that everyone must always work on. All in all, Ruby and Lonely is truly a moving tale of finding love for yourself to start letting others like you for who you are.

[Patriece · Rating 4 out of 5]

Being the last child for both parents (who had a combination/total of 12 children), and with an age gap of 7 years between myself and the one i follow, at times, i do feel like an only child.

The dynamics sometimes is crazy but, i learnt how to be with myself years ago. As such, i love and enjoy my own company and knows how to get over/stifle the feeling of hurt, neglect or loneliness.

I don't think that i am the centre of attraction and i also know that everyone will not like me, but, i also understand that when they/we are ready, we all gel like no other.

Like Ruby, i have confidence in myself. And unlike Ruby before she gained her self confidence, i can't recall experiencing no one even wanting to play with me as a child.

This is a thought provoking read, even though it was written as a children's book.

[OpenedBooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

This picture book is a substantial tool in teaching emotional intelligence. Giving feelings (problems) names is the first step in understanding and settling them. We don’t often talk about loneliness, but it’s an everyday part of our lives. There is no shame in feeling lonely, but finding your way out of it can sometimes feel unachievable. Ruby has found a neat way to deal with her problem. It is valuable to learn how to be happy on our own so that we may spread our wings and share this happiness with others. That being said, it won’t be everyone’s way out of loneliness, but it’s a start.

Recommended for Kindergarten to grade three children, who sometimes need to feel a little less lonely.

[Cara BookShelfMomma · Rating 5 out of 5]

I want to thank @amazonpublishing @blue_slip_media @theinvisiblestringinsta for the review copy of Ruby and Lonely. This was the book my daughter chose for our nightly #readwithabby session. This was a sweet story about a girl who felt so lonely in a world full of people. She found her inner person and started to love on her. It was beautiful to see that transformation, and when the world saw it she blossomed. Abby enjoyed this book and it was also beautifully illustrated.
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ 💫

[Gabrielle Stoller · Rating 3 out of 5]

The soft and heartfelt illustrations really made this story of a girl who struggles with loneliness. I have been there. It is not a fun place to be. Especially young ones. This book reminds that finding peace and making the best of your circumstances. "Loving yourself" sounds ridiculous but sometimes you are the better friend than others out there ;)

[Cathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is really thought provoking and very well written. Ruby is a little that doesn't fit in. Her teacher helps her to examine her problem and confront it. She decided to look in the mirror and she found her friend and she named her lonely. she was happy playing with Lonely and she became happier. I would recommend this book for anyone who is lonely or knows anyone that is lonely.

[Children's Literature Centre at FSU · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book to share with any child experiencing loneliness. It teaches children that they can be their own best friend. It also shows how feelings of loneliness can be turned around by communicating with loved ones. At the end, there are discussion questions that can be shared with children after reading!

[Shauna Morrison · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book! I love that Ruby finds a way to name her feelings and welcome them into her life instead of fearing them. This would be a great book for kids to help them deal with feelings of loneliness.

The illustrations complemented the story wonderfully.

[Donna Duggins · Rating 5 out of 5]

love in action

Read this to a couple of children. They liked it and understood. We all feel lonely sometimes but when we continue to do things for fun it makes other people see us. Sad is something no one has to be!

[Catherine Roush · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful story of self-love

With creative illustrations, the story of Ruby and Lonely gently explore and learn about the most supportive person in one’s life. It is your own thoughts and feelings that never leave. Wonderful story and reminder for adults, too. Well done!

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely messages. Yes, we are our own best friend. And yes, the best way to make friends is to be one, and to glow with the joy you find in life. Adorable art. Includes author's note and discussion questions (though I'm not too sure how well the ?? would work).

[Alice · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars for this book about overcoming loneliness

I read a digital advanced reader's copy courtesy of the publisher

[Sally · Rating 5 out of 5]

Here is a book for children about the power of learning to live with yourself and love it! It's a simple and subtle introduction to social skills for us all.

[Mike · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book made me both happy and sad at the same time as I could relate to Ruby's story so much as a child... And I didn't have a "Lonely" to keep me company...
Truly a beautiful story.

[Alexa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great way to personify an often times inexplainable feeling

[Bobbi Vandusen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is so amazing. The emotions that I felt while reading this, were healing for me. The writing style is very powerful. I'm still overwhelmed by how amazing the story is.

[madeline ✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wish I could keep this book at my desk forever

[Morgan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I accessed a digital review copy of this book from the publisher.