By Kate Knapp (Macmillan’s Children’s Books)

Ruby Red Shoes is a sweet little hare who lives in a colourful caravan with her grandmother, Babushka Galina Galushka. Ruby is gentle and kind and cares for all living things, including plants and trees, animals and people. Ruby is also particularly fond of strawberry jam and peppermint tea. (A girl after our own heart!)  Ruby and her grandmother love to travel and now they are visiting family in London, the home of red buses, red telephone boxes and red letter boxes.

Old fashioned fun

This is a delightfully old-fashioned book that paints a romantic picture of London. It’s a sweet story that imagines her bumping into the Queen out walking her corgi’s and going for rose cream chocolates at Fortnum and Mason.  We think it would be a great book to share with little ones going for their first visit to London.  Look out for other books in the series, Ruby Red Shoes Goes to Paris and Ruby Red Shoes – A Very Aware Hare.

Author Note

Author and Illustrator Kate Knapp uses pencil, ink and watercolours for her whimsical illustrations which have appeared in books, magazine columns, art prints, greeting cards, stationery, plush toys and bed linen. See some of her cute posters below. 

Update: The Ruby Red Shoes series is now out of print so try your library if you can’t find it at your local store.