I love Old Bear and his friends so I was very excited to hear that Jane Hissey had written and illustrated Ruby, Blue and Blanket, a new story with new characters.
The Story: Ruby (a mouse), Blue (a rabbit) and Blanket (a horse) decide to dress up and the best costume will win a prize. Blue and Blanket quickly find something to wear but Ruby can’t decide what she would like to be. She goes through a range of options including a mermaid, a ghost and a spaceman until Blanket helps her. His suggestion means that they all look great and they can share the prize.
Jane Hissey’s illustrations are beautiful and children will immediately identify with the characters and the game that they are playing. There is no gender bias in this story, Blue is happy to wear a dress while Ruby considers dressing up as a cowboy or a spaceman as well as a mermaid. Blanket’s solution is interesting and moves the toys away from dressing up as stereotypical characters (I don’t want to give the ending away!). Ruby’s indecision is so believable, faced with a whole box full of wonderful clothes to try on I am not surprised that she finds the choice difficult! My daughter (who is also very keen on dressing up) loves this book and I have noticed that elements of the story are making their way into her games. She is fascinated by the details in the illustrations and asks lots of questions as we read.
Ruby, Blue and Blanket has a rhyming text and I like the repetition which allows children to join in but also makes it a good text for beginner readers.
This is another lovely book from Jane Hissey. The story of a familiar game is brought to life by her adorable characters and her wonderful illustrations.
Age Range: 3 +
Author / Illustrator: Jane Hissey
I was sent a review copy of Ruby, Blue and Blanket. I was not asked to write this recommendation, we are recommending the book because we love reading it.
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