Ruthie

Ruthie is a prince (a dog) who has it all: a bone, a fish, and a piece of cake he’s been saving for three years. He lives in a castle (a house), is beloved by his queen (his owner), and enjoys beauty-naps, butterberry pancakes and staying squeaky clean with a daily bubble bath. But still, Ruthie longs to explore beyond the castle walls. When a chance to escape presents itself, Ruthie soon finds exploring isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. He is cold, hungry and worst of all: STINKY! Ruthie’s royal subjects (forest animals) do their best to help, but nothing is as perfect as it was in his castle and, worst of all, he misses his queen. Will Ruthie ever be able to find his way home? And will he be able to make some friends along the way? In this delightful companion book to Ooko that stands all on its own, Esme Shapiro tells Ruthie’s side of this topsy-turvy story – and a hilarious, heartfelt tale about breaking free of and longing for home.

Author Biography

ESMÉ SHAPIRO is an acclaimed author and illustrator of books for children. Her previous picture books include Ooko, a finalist for a Governor General’s Literary Award; Alma and the Beast; Carol and the Pickle-Toad; My Self, Your Self; and Roy Is Not a Dog, co-created with her husband, Daniel Newell Kaufman. She also illustrated Yak and Dove by Kyo Maclear; Eliza: The Story of Elizabeth Schuyler Hamilton by Margaret McNamara; and A Garden of Creatures by Sheila Heti. Esmé lives in a castle in the Hudson Valley with her husband and their two princes. She will never say no to a slice of three-year-old cake.