The One and Only Ruby by Katherine Applegate

Katherine! Katherine! Katherine! I’m so, so thrilled you’re here today to share Patricia Castelao’s HEART-WARMING cover illustration and Amy Ryan's brilliant cover design for The One and Only Ruby. Wow! Wow! Wow!

I haven’t stopped smiling since I saw The One and Only Ruby’s cover in my email inbox last week. It was hard not to add it right away to my school visit presentations. What ran through your compassionate heart the first time you saw it?

Katherine Applegate: Patricia has this amazing ability to convey so much emotion with her animal illustrations! I couldn’t stop smiling when I saw this cover. Our little Ruby is growing up!

Scenario: You’re booktalking The One and Only Ruby to 300 5th graders. What do you share? 

Katherine Applegate: THE ONE AND ONLY RUBY opens with these lines: “Nobody listens to the littlest elephant. And around here, I’m the littlest elephant.”

Ruby is getting older (she’s even growing tusks!), and that means understanding her role in the world. It’s scary and confusing and the rules don’t always make sense. Is she brave enough to handle this new chapter in her life?

I hope Ruby’s story helps kids feel a little less alone. And if she makes them laugh, too, I’ll be thrilled.

Please finish the following sentence starters: 

Ivan, Bob, and Ruby share the most beautiful of friendships.

Writing is the hardest thing you’ll ever love.

John Schu, you should have asked me how Ruby’s Tuskday is celebrated! (Hint: It’s a little like an elephant birthday party.)

Thank you, Katherine! Congratulations! 

Look for The One and Only Ruby on May 2, 2023.