Bridges, Shirin Yim. Ruby's Wish; illus. by Sophie Blackall. San Francisco, CA: Chronicle Books, 2002.

This true story is a tender tribute to the author's  grandmother who is the "Ruby" in the book. Red is the color of celebration in China and was this little girl's favorite color.  She wore it every day and therefore was nicknamed "Ruby."  Ruby was interested in reading and writing and spent late hours doing what was required of her as girl so that she could also attend school with the boys. The universal desire of a child who wishes for something transcends culture and time in this beautiful book.

Read Aloud, Read Along

For Teachers and Librarians

Learn more about China from this award winning site on Evansville Online: NM's Creative Impulse - China

Culture and Holidays

• Exploring Chinatown: A Children's Guide to Chinese Culture by Carol Stepanchuk and illustrated by Leland Wong (Pacific View; 64 pages; $22. 95; ages 8-12"  For a little older audience, but this book  focuses on many things featured in Ruby's Wish. It is  filled with "information about herb shops, acupuncture, the Chinese language and calligraphy, numbers and counting systems, holidays and festivals, family and religious life, brush art, theater, and martial arts. Chinese American customs are also identified."-- Linda Perkins, Booklist.
• Moonbeams, Dumplings, and Dragon Boats: A Treasury of Chinese Holiday Tales, Activities & Recipes by Nina Simonds, Leslie Swartz and the Children's Museum, Boston (Harcourt/Gulliver; 80 pages; $20; all ages).

Contributions from China

PAPER

• Ying Chang Compestine; YongSheng Xuan. The Story of Paper. 1st ed. 1 v. (unpaged) : col. ill. ; 28 cm. New York : Holiday House, 2003. ISBN: 0823417050

  After the Kang brothers get in trouble at school, they devise a way to make paper, which will make things easier for both their teacher and themselves. Includes a historical note and a recipe for home-made paper.

  "Children may have a hard time following the story's technical details and even some of the logic, but this title offers a starting point to introduce paper's intriguing origins, and the brothers' reversal from troublemakers to heroes will appeal to many young people, as will Xuan's colorful, expertly crafted cut-paper illustrations. A factual author's note and a recipe for homemade paper close the book." Gillian Engberg BOOKLIST

The New Jersey Writing Project in Texas: Ruby's Wish

• A detailed lesson on teaching writing that includes a number of other stories for pairing.

AUTHOR: SHIRIN YIN BRIDGES

ILLUSTRATOR: SOPHIE BLACKALL

EZRA JACK KEATS AWARD

Read Alone

 For Students

Read More About China

• Four Inventions of Ancient China from Windham Central Supervisory Union School District in Southeastern Vermont

• Strudel Stories by Joanne Rocklin. Delecorte Press, 1999. "As a read-aloud, this book is sure to inspire families to share their own memories and recipes." Barbara Auerbach, Brooklyn Public Library, NY School Library Journal
• Grandfather's Journey by Allen Say. Houghton-Mifflin, 1993. " . . . the art suggests a much-cherished and carefully preserved family album. . . a personal tribute to his grandfather and a distillation of universally shared emotions." Publisher's Weekly. Caldecott Award Medal.
• Night of the Moonjellies by Mark Shasta. Keller, TX: Purple House Press, 2002. Based upon a childhood recollection.
• Shortcut by Donald Crews . New York:  Mulberry Press.  A childhood reminiscence by a Caldecott Award winning artist.

Write a Story from Your Family

• Family stories are inspiring to us  because they happened to people we know or with whom we have connection. Often, these stories are not written down, but are passed by word of mouth from generation to generation.
  • Ask your parents or caregivers to tell you some of your stories. Now is a good time write them down.  Your own work in doing this will delight your family. 
  • Illustrate your story.

Don't Miss these Chinese Folktales

Make a Red Envelope

• This site has a template for an envelope and a simple story about the meaning of the red envelope.  XANAKO - Worldly, inexpensive, unusual gifts for every occasion at Xanaco including red envelopes. Search for Red Envelopes.