Ruby (fox)
Ruby wants things the way small children want things: completely, and right now. She is also the one who counts her coins twice, which is how she surprises herself.
- eager
- determined
- warm
Ruby and the Wishing Jar
A story about saving, patience, and turning small coins into big dreams
Ruby the fox wants the shiny red scooter in the shop window more than anything — and every coin she earns keeps finding somewhere else to go.
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About this story
Ruby the fox wants the shiny red scooter in Mr. Thornby's shop window more than anything. But every time she earns a coin, her best friend Jingle has a new treat to tempt her with — and the scooter never gets any closer. When wise old Nessa Owl gives her a special jar, Ruby learns that the biggest wishes are built one small coin at a time. A warm, gently funny story about patience, saving, and the pride of earning something yourself — perfect for little ones just starting to understand money.
What this story explores
Wanting something badly, waiting for it, and the pride of earning it yourself.
- Self-management
- Responsible decision-making
- money
- saving
- patience
- earning
Who's in it
Jingle (raccoon)
Ruby's best friend, and a walking temptation. Jingle always knows where the treats are, and never means any harm by it.
- playful
- impulsive
- generous
Nessa Owl (owl)
Old, unhurried, and inclined to hand over an idea rather than an answer. She lives in the great oak at the edge of the village.
- wise
- patient
- gentle
Mr. Thornby (badger)
Keeper of the toy shop, and therefore of the window every young animal in the Hollow has stood in front of. Gruff, fair, and quietly fond of them all.
- gruff
- fair
- kind underneath
After the story
Talk About It
Every book ends here - a gentle discussion about the characters in the story. Three open questions, printed in the book, for the ten minutes after the story — in the car, at bath time, or whenever it comes up three days later.
There are no right answers, and you don't have to get through all three. One good question and talk that goes somewhere beats three that get a shrug.
- 1.Has there ever been something you really wanted? What did you do to get it?
If they don't say much →
- What's something you'd put in a shop window if you had a shop?
- Is there something you've wanted for a long time, or is it more of a today thing?
- What did you want when you were little — littler than now?
- 2.What do you think made Ruby's scooter feel extra special once she'd saved for it herself?
- 3.If you started your own Wishing Jar, what would you be saving for?
Three questions, one shape
1. The first looks back at the story. It's the easy one — it just checks they were with you.
2. The second turns it towards them. This is where the conversation actually starts, and it's the one grown-ups most often skip.
3. The third points forwards. Something to try, say or notice next.
The talk-about-it questions are the short version. A fuller guide for this world — fifteen conversations, what you might hear, what to do with it, and how to lead when a child goes quiet— is being written.
Details
- Age range
- 4–8
- Trim size
- 8.5" × 8.5", full colour
- Length
- 14 spreads, 34-page interior
- Reading time
- [TO BE CONFIRMED]
- Series
- Sunnybrook Hollow Tales
Look inside
More from Hollowdale
This story belongs to one world in the valley. These are that world and its neighbours.