Ruby is excited when she receives her birthday present. When she shakes the box she can’t guess what might be inside.

Finally ripping the paper from the gift she discovers a pair of roller skates! They are her favourite colour too – Red!

Ruby can’t wait to try them out the next day and she puts them on as soon as she can.

Ruby had never roller skated before, but she was sure it would be easy peasy.

Skating in the house proved to be a little more difficult than she thought. Dad offers some help but Ruby is sure she’s got this. Surely skating is going to be Easy Peasy?

Outside brings the same problems as inside, but the knocks are a lot harder. Dad offers his help again, but Ruby’s excitement with her new skates is fading fast.

It’s great how many children are really keen to give new things a go. When they discover it’s a lot harder than they first thought their confidence takes a bit of a knock, just as Ruby’s knees and elbows do as she tries to learn to roller-skate.

This confidence knock can easily turn into I-never-want-to-try that-again in a child’s mind if not coaxed into receiving some help.

Ruby’s dad is patient, allowing Ruby to do things for herself, but is on hand to help when his daughter is ready to ask for it.

A brightly illustrated picture book using a mixed media style of collage and illustration, showing young readers it’s okay to ask for help if you need it (especially if it means they won’t miss out on something as wonderful as roller skating.)

Author – Ky Garvey

Illustrator – Amy Calautti

Picture Book

(2023, Exisle Publishing, Roller Skating, Trying new things, Asking for help, Fun activities, Roller skating rink, Confidence, Courage)