Ruby in the Ruins

A classic picture book about family life, set in post-war London, from the best-loved and award-winning Shirley Hughes now available in paperback.

"The observation and draughtsmanship are Hughes in her prime, with scenes of street parties and bustling stations and perfectly rendered period costume" The Sunday Times

Ruby and Mum have lived through the terrifying London Blitz and are waiting for Dad to come home from the war. Ruby hardly recognizes the tall man who steps off the train, but when she falls in the ruins nearby, there’s only one person who she wants to rescue her.

“Set in the aftermath of the London Blitz and VE Day, Hughes takes an evocative look at the ruins of post-war London and the conflicts impact on family life. The relationship between Ruby and her father, newly returned from war, is particularly poignant and well-drawn.” The Bookseller
“The observation and draughtsmanship are Hughes in her prime, with scenes of street parties and bustling stations and perfectly rendered period costume. Faces express uncertainty or affection, and the physicality of children is accurately captured as they climb, balance or reach for an embrace. Especially remarkable are the lovely, scumbled views of ruined houses, with their piles of bricks and staircases leading nowhere.” -- Nicolette Jones The Sunday Times
“Hughes’s familiar drawing brilliantly capture the gaiety of VE day street parties against the eerie aftermath of the Blitz. At ninety, Hughes is the grande dame of the British picture book - and this touching story showers her formula working at its best.” Oldie
“Ruby in the Ruins is so rose-tinted you can smell the floral perfume: death is avoided, Dad shows no sign of trauma, Mum has not been radicalised in his absence. Yet it’s as comforting as a tea cosy and an ideal introduction to the war for delicate tinies.” - Alex O'Connell The Times (Saturday Review)
“The book paints a wonderful picture of a child's life in post-war London, and celebrates the love of a family.” Parents In Touch

Shirley Hughes has won many prestigious awards, including the Kate Greenaway Medal twice. She began to write and design her own picture books when she had a young family and has now published more than two hundred titles, including Dogger, the Alfie series, The Christmas Eve Ghost and Daisy Saves the Day. Her first novel, Hero on a Bicycle, was published in 2012, followed by Whistling in the Dark. She lives in West London.

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