New Zealand rugby sensation Ruby Tui has unveiled her latest project from her stable of ideas — her debut as the author of a children's book!
This multi-talented athlete, celebrated for her rugby achievements, has now ventured into the world of storytelling with her book ‘Little Ruby & Friends’, to share an important message with young readers.
When Sarah from The Breeze asked about the inspiration behind her new venture into the world of children's stories, Ruby revealed that the idea had been brewing in her mind for quite some time.
While she admitted to being more confident about writing a children's book than a memoir, she saw this as a unique opportunity to use her experiences to inspire children in an honest and authentic way.
The book holds a deeply personal touch from Ruby. After taking a nine-month sabbatical, she decided to embark on this journey with every character being inspired by one of her real-life friends.
Even the illustrator has been her friend since they were 12 years old, adding a layer of authenticity and warmth to the project.
“it was just such a joy to do”
- Ruby
Sarah was keen to know how Ruby's friends reacted when they learned they would be ‘immortalized’ in a children's book.
It seems that at first, they might have thought it was ‘another one of Ruby’s crazy ideas’, however, as they delved deeper into conversations about mental health and coping strategies, they began to realize the passion Ruby had for this book.
“They've been awesome, champions. I knew they would be”
- Ruby
Ruby went on to describe the book's style, emphasizing its focus on authentic real-life experiences. Centering around the theme that everyone feels upset at times while exploring various ways her friends have helped her learn to cope with life's challenges.
In Ruby Tui's new children's book, readers can expect not only an engaging story but also some touching life lessons.
Keep an eye out for ‘Little Ruby & Friends’ on bookshelves around the country.
