The author of The Invisible String takes on intense loneliness in her newest work, Ruby and Lonely.

Ruby and Lonely, by Patrice Karst/Illustrated by Kayla Harren,
(September 2023, Two Lions), $17.99, ISBN: 9781662508042
Ages 5-8
Ruby is a young girl who feels lonely. Overlooked. The other kids at school don’t seem to notice her as they play together. Her siblings are always busy with their friends, and her parents are busy either working or zoning out in front of the TV. She doesn’t have the words to express herself, so she withdraws further, disappearing into her loneliness, until a teacher suggests that “examin[ing] it from all angles and giv[ing] it a name” will help solve things. Ruby decides to name her problem Lonely, visualized first as a black and white reflection of Ruby in the mirror. Ruby decides to befriend Lonely, spend time alongside Lonely, and the two begin spending time together. Comfortable with her solitude, Ruby gains more confidence, drawing the attention of other kids and finally giving Ruby the ability to ask for what she needs, including time with her family. As Ruby gains more confidence, Lonely takes on color and steps out of the mirror, an inner light shining through her. But Lonely also knows when it’s time to hand Ruby the reins, and quietly returns to the background, still colorful, quietly cheering on Ruby and “waiting deep inside, whenever Ruby needed her”. A gentle story about loneliness and learning that confidence comes first from spending time with oneself, Harren uses color and realistic illustration to deliver Karst’s message. Ruby’s red hair shines once she and Lonely embrace one another; her clothes go from muted darker colors to bright yellows, blues, and pinks; her face turning up and smiling, moving from a head-down, preoccupied frown. An author’s note and questions for discussion round out the back matter. A good book to have on hand for social-emotional collections.


Patrice Karst is the bestselling author of The Invisible String, which has sold more than a million copies and been translated into fifteen languages, and its companion titles, The Invisible Leash, The Invisible Web, You Are Never Alone: An Invisible String Lullaby, and most recently, The Invisible String Backpack. She is also the coauthor of The Invisible String Workbook with Dr. Dana Wyss. She also wrote The Smile that Went Around the World. Patrice is passionate about spreading her message of love across the planet. Born in London, England, she now lives in Southern California. Learn more at www.patricekarst.com.
Kayla Harren is an award-winning illustrator of children’s books, including A Boy Like You, written by Frank Murphy, and The Boy Who Grew a Forest, written by Sophia Gholz, among other titles. She recently illustrated Thursday, by Ann Bonwill, which Midwest Book Review called “an impressively presented picture book of healing and hope for young children.” Her work has been featured in the Society of Illustrators, American Illustration, Communication Arts, and 3×3 Magazine, and she won the Highlights for Children Pewter Plate Award. She lives in Minnesota. Learn more at www.kaylaharren.com.

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