Orchard ISBN 9781408363348 £5.99
Ruby likes peace, familiarity and routine. She finds it difficult at the end of the school day when children jostle in the corridor. Ruby loves maths, animals and drawing. She has a tendency to say exactly what she thinks which can make relationships awkward. Her favourite place in the world is Green Gates Wildlife Sanctuary. She enjoys the koalas in the sanctuary who have been saved from the bushfires, and is thrilled when her family agrees to foster a baby koala at home. Ruby names the koala Pablo and becomes its best friend. She makes a new friend, Kirra. Soon Pablo is sufficiently recovered to return to the sanctuary This helps Ruby to cope with changes in her own life such as a new baby brother, and moving on to her own new school. A charming story for children aged 7+ that offers much to think about and discuss such as how an autistic child feels, how to prepare for and overcome challenges and the plight of koalas in bushfires. Highly recommended.
Brenda Marshall
