“The town of Nada, Texas was small…” That’s how one of my favorite picture books starts off. David Small’s Ruby Mae Has Something to Say is a great story about Universal understanding and the power of tinkering. If you haven’t had a chance to read it, I really suggest you do.
I decided on this specific MINIon because (Yes, I once built my own Bobatron) some close friends are expecting and one of their requests for the baby shower was to bring a copy of your favorite childhood book. Sue, having never had a childhood 😉 just defaulted to me and I had a to come up with a list. While Ruby Mae didn’t make the cut (so many books) the process reminded me that I wanted to do a MINIon based on the story.  Many of the books on the list bring back memories of when I taught either first grade or preschool.  Many are out of print which was something we decided would be an added bonus, knowing that no one would give the book we did.  Sue couldn’t attend the shower because she’s more of a bath person… actually she was up in Ann Arbor with me.
What were on my short list?
1. Just Only John by Jack Kent – the story of a boy who wants to be something else and realizes that magic is a little fickle.
2. The Wuggie Norple Story by Daniel Pinkwater – C’mon just the character names are enough to put this on any list… “Lunchbox Louie, Bigfoot the Chipmunk, King Waffle…”
3. Big Bad Bruce by Bill Peet – uh, hello? a bear, named Bruce why shouldn’t this be on the list?
4. Ruby Mae Has Something to Say by David Small
“What no comics, or graphic novels?” you say. I knew the child’s father would be more than capable of taking care of that end, along with LEGO.