Little Ruth Backpack Mishap

Kirkus Review In Write's illustrated children's book, a young girl's sisters play with her favorite backpack without her permission, leading to a sticky situation. The story begins with the four Campbell kids-Ruth, Timmy, Abby, and Annie-returning home from school, all excitedly talking about their day with their grandma, who has come to visit them. Ruth volunteers to help Grandma make a snack while her siblings engage in other activities. After enjoying ants on a log, Ruth must prepare for her piano lesson. Her younger sisters want to play with her backpack, which Ruth has painstakingly decorated with charms and keychains. Ruth says no since she can't supervise and puts the backpack in her room. Despite Ruth's request to not touch her backpack while she's at her lesson, Abby and Annie play with it, resulting in a huge mess and a torn backpack. Ruth finds the twins in the wreckage of her bedroom, and the resulting commotion brings the girls' mother into the room as well. Ruth is upset, but with guidance from Mom the family discusses the incident (""Mom watched her daughters take turns talking and listening, and she was proud of them"") and resolves it by planning a pajama party to decorate a new backpack. Ruth learns a lesson about giving second chances as she deals with the aftermath of her sisters' actions. The book emphasizes themes of forgiveness, understanding, and family bonding. The text is detailed and aptly models social-emotional learning and restorative justice techniques between the siblings. It's a believable scenario; Abby and Annie must miss their favorite TV show to clean up Ruth's room, likely a reasonable and familiar consequence to most readers in this age range. The illustrations by McAllister and Bouthyette are digitally rendered; they have taken care to give the Black family members a variety of skin tones. Midwest Book Review Picture book readers who enjoy tales of realistic chaos will find Little Ruth: Backpack Mishap an appealing study in problem-solving and sibling relationships that offers lessons, along with fun descriptions. Ruth and her siblings return home from school enlivened by the day's adventures. Ruth gets ready for piano school, but her younger stay-at-home sisters want more adventure, too. What better choice is there than to satisfy their curiosity by delving into forbidden territory? The entire Campbell family becomes involved in a mishap that gives lessons to all about peer pressure, responsibility, kindness, and forgiving loved ones. Dee Write's escapade is illustrated by Andrea McAllister and Valerie Bouthyette, who add engrossing charm and personal touches to bring the tale and siblings to life. Close-knit family members all becomes involved, with the realistic scenario embellished by dialogue that kids can readily relate to: Seeing Ruth sad made Abby and Annie feel sad. ""Sorry, Ruth,"" they said quietly. Mom could see her daughters' disappointment about this backpack mishap. ""Everyone take a deep breath, and let's talk about this in the den,"" said Mom. Conflict resolution arrives in the form of the Campbell Family Discussion Ball, which is employed to give a voice to all involved in the mishap, building a sense of family support and greater understanding via listening. Elementary-level libraries and read-aloud parents will find it packed with many discussion points that will enlighten and educate the very young, while Black families seeking role models for conflict resolution opportunities within adversity will relish the positivity and practicality of Little Ruth: Backpack Mishap.