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Lily May and the Ruby Shoes Blues: A Children's Book Celebrating Diversity and Self-Love
Lily May is flooded with some BIG emotions when her classmates tease her for wearing red high heels to school. Feeling sad and longing to fit in, her sunny day quickly fades to an ugly shade of gray. Can clever Mama May; Lily’s cat, Boo; and a special book convince her that the world would be a very strange place if everything were the same?
Or will Lily forever remain a lump of grump?
“If everyone had to wear stripes and no exceptions were allowed -
Would you miss the chance to dress your best and stand out from the crowd?�
Lily May and the Ruby Shoes Blues is a colorful, imaginative story that encourages us to embrace our diversity and to prioritize self-love.
This book also includes MINDFULNESS activities to support coping skills and confidence, making it the perfect social-emotional learning addition to your programs.
"As a Child Clinical Psychologist and mother to two little ladies, this book captures the essence of what is needed in our lives and world today. I will not only order a personal copy, but the book will also have a space on my professional bookshelf." -Dr. Marilisa Morea, Clinical Psychologist
"[This is] a book that every child can learn from. It encourages the idea of embracing who we are as individuals. I loved everything about [it]!" -Reader's Favorite, 5-Star Review
"What a wonderful book about embracing your authenticity and using mindfulness and positive self-talk to navigate tough situations at school. Beautifully written and illustrated!" -Kristi Yeh @parentselfcare, Therapist
2022 Purple Dragonfly First Place Cultural Diversity
5-Star Reader's Choice Award
Or will Lily forever remain a lump of grump?
“If everyone had to wear stripes and no exceptions were allowed -
Would you miss the chance to dress your best and stand out from the crowd?�
Lily May and the Ruby Shoes Blues is a colorful, imaginative story that encourages us to embrace our diversity and to prioritize self-love.
This book also includes MINDFULNESS activities to support coping skills and confidence, making it the perfect social-emotional learning addition to your programs.
"As a Child Clinical Psychologist and mother to two little ladies, this book captures the essence of what is needed in our lives and world today. I will not only order a personal copy, but the book will also have a space on my professional bookshelf." -Dr. Marilisa Morea, Clinical Psychologist
"[This is] a book that every child can learn from. It encourages the idea of embracing who we are as individuals. I loved everything about [it]!" -Reader's Favorite, 5-Star Review
"What a wonderful book about embracing your authenticity and using mindfulness and positive self-talk to navigate tough situations at school. Beautifully written and illustrated!" -Kristi Yeh @parentselfcare, Therapist
2022 Purple Dragonfly First Place Cultural Diversity
5-Star Reader's Choice Award
Kindle Edition
Published May 2, 2022
46 people are currently reading
34 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
May 5, 2022
This is a beautifully illustrated and empowering story! My Momma heart ached for Lily May’s sadness as she is so relatable to my own kids. This was a joy to read together, there were questions and profound statements that at the end it became a teaching moment for us!
December 30, 2022
I love children’s books that tackle issues head on. It was a joy to read with my Grandson who was able to follow the story and the positive response.
Ruby suffers from harassment and bullying at school for being individual and standing out. The comments of her school chums and “friends� leave her extremely low and doubting herself and who she is as a person.
A parent is a non-judgemental grown-up and Mum in this case listens, supports and shares a wider understanding of diversity. With humour but without trivialising the hurt self-esteem and confidence are re-modelled around the fact that differences encompass the natural world, our understanding and sameness would be bland and self-defeating.
Lily can try to bounce back; indeed she quickly rejoices in the spectrum of the rainbow and expresses herself.
We loved the exercises and de stressing ideas at the end of the book. William loved being a snowflake; the sense of flying and striking a pose.
Written in engaging rhyming snippets with supporting illustrations. Here is a book to treasure and discover yourself within it’s pages.
Ruby suffers from harassment and bullying at school for being individual and standing out. The comments of her school chums and “friends� leave her extremely low and doubting herself and who she is as a person.
A parent is a non-judgemental grown-up and Mum in this case listens, supports and shares a wider understanding of diversity. With humour but without trivialising the hurt self-esteem and confidence are re-modelled around the fact that differences encompass the natural world, our understanding and sameness would be bland and self-defeating.
Lily can try to bounce back; indeed she quickly rejoices in the spectrum of the rainbow and expresses herself.
We loved the exercises and de stressing ideas at the end of the book. William loved being a snowflake; the sense of flying and striking a pose.
Written in engaging rhyming snippets with supporting illustrations. Here is a book to treasure and discover yourself within it’s pages.
June 30, 2022
It was such a fun read and the message that being unique is a great thing is something adults and kids both could take away from this book
July 24, 2022
A charming book of self-affirmation for kids, written in a humorous, whimsical way. Full of color and wit, this story kids will definitely love to read.
May 25, 2022
Lily May and the Ruby Shoes Blues is a must-read book with awesomely cute illustrations and an empowering storyline. Children will love this book and may ask for repeated reads.
March 3, 2023
like always i have to put this into the review, i rate down due to the type of book i read which was the kindle version through KU ...now when you read it ...it makes the book on a tiny text and illustrations and it kind of makes it a less happy experience ...if they were huge ...using up all of the kindle screen i think it would be much better and more exciting reading experience. i love these illustrations and it is just so cute. loved it!! darling. perfect. i mean can you imagine if you had a little girl's room and could use them for decor. her little cat (kitten). so cute. i grew up with my brother, lots of male cousins so i was more into all those sports and activities 'cause i wanted to fit into those shoes ...nothing wrong with a girlie girl. whatever you so desire to be. but i was not one to enjoy pinks and all that lacy stuff. be who you are ...all good. no worries. read the book so darling and fun!! i would recommend a handheld version over the kindle though.
July 19, 2022
When Lily May returns home from school in a bad mood, her mom knows just what to do.
What happened to put Lily May in such a foul mood? All her classmates made fun of her favorite ruby heels. The other children seem to favor dull brown flat shoes. Lily's mom, her cat, and her favorite book are the magical ingredients to rescue Lily May from her funk.
She is reminded of just what a dull place the world would be if we all looked and behaved the same. By the end of the tale, Lily May is celebrating her uniqueness.
This book is written in crisp rhymes with adorable multicultural illustrations. I especially enjoyed the quick exercises that the offer includes for creating, brave, proud, respectful, empathetic, and mindful young readers. Parents and teachers will want to try them all. Highly recommended for primary grade children.
What happened to put Lily May in such a foul mood? All her classmates made fun of her favorite ruby heels. The other children seem to favor dull brown flat shoes. Lily's mom, her cat, and her favorite book are the magical ingredients to rescue Lily May from her funk.
She is reminded of just what a dull place the world would be if we all looked and behaved the same. By the end of the tale, Lily May is celebrating her uniqueness.
This book is written in crisp rhymes with adorable multicultural illustrations. I especially enjoyed the quick exercises that the offer includes for creating, brave, proud, respectful, empathetic, and mindful young readers. Parents and teachers will want to try them all. Highly recommended for primary grade children.
April 13, 2022
This is an adorable story about being proud to be your unique self! I loved the lyrical text and rhymes throughout, the message of the story, and (as a fellow curly girl) the representation of a curly-haired child named Ruby. Not only does the story come with a powerful message many children can relate to, it offers the opportunity for discussions around being proud to be yourself, even if you might not fit the same mold as everyone else. I particularly loved the mindfulness activities for kids included at the end of the story. A great picture book that is a beloved addition to any classroom or home library!
April 14, 2022
Creative And Interesting!
I found Lily May and the Ruby Shoes Blues to be a heartwarming and empowering story which left me with a smile on my face! This author has written an original and creative solution to a life lesson any child can benefit from. This story is a very clever way to instill self love and confidence in our children and the adorable characters and illustrations are very relatable and inspirational. The mindfulness exercises found in this book are simple yet powerful ways to help our children succeed in life. I look forward to sharing this book with all my friends and family. I am excited to read more books by this author!
I found Lily May and the Ruby Shoes Blues to be a heartwarming and empowering story which left me with a smile on my face! This author has written an original and creative solution to a life lesson any child can benefit from. This story is a very clever way to instill self love and confidence in our children and the adorable characters and illustrations are very relatable and inspirational. The mindfulness exercises found in this book are simple yet powerful ways to help our children succeed in life. I look forward to sharing this book with all my friends and family. I am excited to read more books by this author!
April 21, 2023
This sweet tale emphasizes the importance of being proud of your individuality. I adored the message of the narrative, the portrayal of a youngster with curly hair named Ruby, the lyrical writing,and rhymes throughout. The story not only has a strong moral that a lot of kids can identify with, but it also provides inspiration for conversations about being confident in who you are even if you don't fit in with everyone else. The kid-friendly mindfulness activities that were offered at the end of the story were incredible. This is afantastic picture book that would be a welcome addition to any school collection!
April 19, 2022
Beautiful Message In A Great Story!!!
I simply cannot get enough of this book! Lily is the cutest little messenger who delivers a powerful message of loving one self and always being your true you. The story is beautifully written and fun to read. I love that my children were able to relate to Lily and understand the lesson of being confident with who they are, no matter what. I can't wait to share this book in my classroom and gift this book to friends. Also it is a sweet bonus that it comes with mindful activities that kids can easily do on their own. Love it!!
I simply cannot get enough of this book! Lily is the cutest little messenger who delivers a powerful message of loving one self and always being your true you. The story is beautifully written and fun to read. I love that my children were able to relate to Lily and understand the lesson of being confident with who they are, no matter what. I can't wait to share this book in my classroom and gift this book to friends. Also it is a sweet bonus that it comes with mindful activities that kids can easily do on their own. Love it!!
August 3, 2022
Lily May and the Ruby Shoes Blues is a beautiful story. Little girls grow up with so much pressure to fit in, often at the expense of not being their authentic selves. Lily learns that the things that make her different make her special. Her mom’s gentle reminders to be herself are so sweet and delivered on every kid-friendly, colorful page.
The best books lead readers to a conclusion they think they came up with themselves. This book does exactly that. Be yourself, love yourself, color the world!
The best books lead readers to a conclusion they think they came up with themselves. This book does exactly that. Be yourself, love yourself, color the world!
April 14, 2022
A beautifully written story with a powerful message about being confidently unique!This story is perfect for teaching character education and emotional literacy. It also includes “Lily May’s Mindful Minute� at the back of the book with quick little activities to practice mindfulness. I love it! The pictures are vibrant and engaging and really add to the story. A must-have for education workers, teachers and parents looking to add a meaningful yet engaging book to their collection.
July 6, 2022
I absolutely loved this book. It is an excellent book to read to kick off discussions on diversity and embracing children's individuality. It makes for an excellent resource for classrooms of preschool and primary as well when planning lessons around talking about feelings and how to handle them. It is a well written book with beautiful illustrations that draw children in and keep them engaged in the story.
July 22, 2022
Lily Mae has had a bad day at school. Her classmates laughed at her shoes. Her mom teaches her about being different and how it is good. Lily Mae decides to be herself.
I loved Lily Mae. She is colorful and cute. I liked that she learned it's good to be different, that it is okay to be different. She begins to take pride in it and is happy to be different.
Your little ones will love Lily Mae. The illustrations are wonderful as it the story.
I loved Lily Mae. She is colorful and cute. I liked that she learned it's good to be different, that it is okay to be different. She begins to take pride in it and is happy to be different.
Your little ones will love Lily Mae. The illustrations are wonderful as it the story.
May 4, 2022
love love love this book!
Delightful and cute! A story that encourages to value our differences! Amazing message beautiful illustrations and very enjoyable rhyme! Everything fits just right in this book! Great job to author Danielle Diestl for making a book that every kid will love!
Delightful and cute! A story that encourages to value our differences! Amazing message beautiful illustrations and very enjoyable rhyme! Everything fits just right in this book! Great job to author Danielle Diestl for making a book that every kid will love!
June 22, 2022
Beautiful story about loving your unique self
This is a very sweet story about a little girl named Ruby who comes home upset from school one day. The kids in her class make fun of her red shoes because they all wear brown and flat. Her mom read her a story to help her realize that she (Lily) is special and should love herself and her style just the way she is.
This is a very sweet story about a little girl named Ruby who comes home upset from school one day. The kids in her class make fun of her red shoes because they all wear brown and flat. Her mom read her a story to help her realize that she (Lily) is special and should love herself and her style just the way she is.
July 9, 2022
Delightful! Colourful! Great book to discuss children's self-esteem and ways that they can just be themselves, unique, unusual, funny, different, smart, hilarious, shy, quiet, introvert, extrovert - not afraid to stand out in a crowd, but also not afraid to stand at the back. I love that we can encourage children that it's OK to just be YOU.
November 11, 2023
Lovely book with a sweet message
Ruby comes back home and she is annoyed because everyone made fun of her red shoes. Her mother reads her a beautiful book to tell her that it is ok to be different and like what you want. Beautiful illustrations and lovely message for children. Enjoyable read both for children and adults.
Ruby comes back home and she is annoyed because everyone made fun of her red shoes. Her mother reads her a beautiful book to tell her that it is ok to be different and like what you want. Beautiful illustrations and lovely message for children. Enjoyable read both for children and adults.
July 10, 2022
Adorable illustrations and a beautiful message!
A super cute picture book about being yourself and feeling proud of the things you love. The exercises at the end are perfect for little ones with anxiety (adults too). Highly recommend this wonderful read!
A super cute picture book about being yourself and feeling proud of the things you love. The exercises at the end are perfect for little ones with anxiety (adults too). Highly recommend this wonderful read!
September 25, 2022
Must Read
I ordered this book for free with Kindle Unlimited. As soon as I read it, I quickly ordered a copy for my teenage daughter who needs to hear the 'clear as day' message in this story!
I ordered this book for free with Kindle Unlimited. As soon as I read it, I quickly ordered a copy for my teenage daughter who needs to hear the 'clear as day' message in this story!
October 2, 2023
Loved this book
my daughter said this story made her feel like she can be herself no matter what. She loved the rhyming and the pictures as well. I loved the message it taught her before bed.
my daughter said this story made her feel like she can be herself no matter what. She loved the rhyming and the pictures as well. I loved the message it taught her before bed.
July 6, 2022
Got this adorable book for free. This is such a sweet story of teaching kids how to manage their feelings. We’re all like a 🌈 all different in our own beautiful way. 🌸
July 9, 2022
Lily May and the Ruby Shoes Blues by Danielle Diestl � This was an Amazon freebie. Such a cute reminder to be yourself! Happy Reading!
December 30, 2022
A beautiful and empowering story, every teacher and parent should have 😍
November 6, 2023
Absolutely adorable and well written.
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