Ruby's repair cafe by Michelle Worthington. Illus. by Zoe Bennett

Ruby loves to repair things, just like her whole family. Her shop consists of a myriad of things to help with her repairs. She can fix things that do not go, repair dresses that have ripped, make toasters pop again, and gives a clock new life after finding it in the rubbish bin. She simply loves to fix things. But one day, Mr Bigg opens a department store next door. It is big and shiny and soon Ruby’s customers desert her to buy things at the new shop. These things do not need a repair shop. Ruby and her family no longer have any customers and have to pack up the shop and close it. But that night the strongest wind blows and blews. It blows the rubbish from the rubbish dump all over the town. This rubbish has been left by the townsfolk after they bought new things from Mr Bigg. In the past, Ruby would have repaired these for them.

The next day, the townsfolk see rubbish and trees littered all over the town and the roof of the shiny new department story has gone. Ruby sees a distraught Mr Bigg, and goes to him, suggesting they work together to repair the town.

Wonderful illustrations cover each page, the cheery faces of the family going about their work embellishing each image.  The detail too is full of interest, things dot the pages showing the efforts they go to to repair the goods brought to them. Zoe Bennett uses watercolour and gouache combined with digital techniques to produce lively informative illustrations which children will scan with eager, inquisitive eyes. Teacher's notes are available.

Themes: Recycling, Rubbish, Togetherness.

Fran Knight