Ruby's Sword: questions to ask and activities to try
Ruby can never keep up with her big brothers, until she finds a sword. Ruby's Sword is a joyful story about perseverance, imagination and finding your own adventure.
What age is it for? Ruby's Sword is best for ages 3–7. Good for: Keeping up with big siblings, and imaginative play.
Ruby's Sword (Jacqueline Véissid and Paola Zakimi)
- Age
- 3-7
- Best for
- Keeping up with big siblings, and imaginative play
Read it with a stick or wooden spoon to hand. Afterwards, ask your child what they'd turn a stick into, and how it feels to be the littlest.
What it helps with
- Being the youngest and trying to keep up
- Imaginative play with simple things
- Perseverance
- Finding your own way to join in
Comprehension and discussion questions
Pick two or three, not all of them. “I don’t know” is a fine answer, and you can always come back to it another day.
- “Why couldn’t Ruby keep up?”
- “What did she find in the grass?”
- “What did the sticks become?”
- “Who joined Ruby?”
- “What would you turn a stick into?”
- “How does it feel to be the littlest?”
5-minute activities to try together
Stick kingdom
Collect sticks on a walk and decide what each one is: a sword, a wand, a fishing rod.
Little one leads
Let the youngest in the family choose and lead a game today.
Free printables: Ruby's Sword worksheet and activity pack
This book’s one-page worksheet with the questions and activities above, plus our activity pack: printable scenario cards, three 5-minute activities and a “What could I try?” page for practising everyday skills together. Enter your email and download them straight away.
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If your child liked this, try
Stanley's Stick (John Hegley and Neal Layton)
- Best for
- Imagination, and how much fun a stick can be
- Age
- 3-7
Croc and Bird (Alexis Deacon)
- Best for
- Brothers and sisters who are very different
- Age
- 3-7
The Dot (Peter H. Reynolds)
- Best for
- Children who say 'I can't' before they've tried
- Age
- 4-8
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By the Growing Wise team · Last reviewed: 10 October 2026
Growing Wise offers educational ideas for parents and carers. It is not a substitute for professional medical, developmental or mental-health advice. As an Amazon Associate, Growing Wise earns from qualifying purchases.