RUBY SINGS THE BLUES

Award-winning South African writer/artist Daly turns his attention once more to things musical with this jazzily illustrated tale of Ruby who, at first, can’t control her volume. She’s always loud. Her parents ask her to tone it down. Her teacher tries to get her to use her volume control. Most of her neighbors just complain. Only the saxophonist in the basement apartment and his Blues-singing lady friend recognize the potential of Ruby’s voice. When she comes home quiet, alone, and sad, the two musicians ask if she’d like singing lessons. She learns when to belt and when to ease into the gentle breathy notes. Before long, everyone is amazed by her prowess. Computer-colorized pen-and-pencil cityscapes follow the lines of Ruby’s shouts and songs. Spots of 50s patterns add a beatnik flavor to this tale of an outsider turned artist. Young audiences will enjoy even if they don’t understand “the Blues.” (Picture book. 4-9)