Books by Jerry Ruff

Cultivating calm in a garden built of rocksWorried about his sick grandfather, Johnny discovers tranquility and calm in the quiet peace of his friend Masato's rock garden. Ages 5 and up.Masato introduces his friend Johnny to the tranquility and calm of his family's meditative rock garden. In the garden, Johnny finds respite from his worries and renewed confidence in the resilience of his ailing grandfather.Contemplation and meditation in nature can help calm, restore, and bring a renewed sense of tranquility and possibility to children.Story behind story = "Children experience all sorts of fears, worries, and anxieties, but can lack the emotional resources to address them. I wrote this book during the coronavirus pandemic, in the swirl of an anxious world trying to deal with an incredible sense of uncertainty and human vulnerability. Of course, older adults were the most physically vulnerable population. Children were living this moment as well as adults, and often without the resources—internal and external—to adequately deal with it. Contemplation and meditation in nature can be a balm at any time, and Zen rock gardens provide an ideal space for such practices. I wanted to write a story for children that would portray this reality with characters, plot and a setting considerate of their interests, understandings and needs."Story behind story = "In my early twenties, I spent a year teaching at a girl's high school in northern Japan on the island of Hokkaido. During that year, I accompanied students on an annual school trip that included visits to Kyoto and Tokyo and some well-known Zen rock gardens in those cities. Those gardens, their incredible, spare beauty and the sense of tranquility, calm, and imagination they encourage and convey, remain an enduring and affectionate memory for me to this day, some forty years later."

Book philosophy = Companionship through communityInterest Level: Grades K-3; Reading Level: Grades 2-4 Overarching themes include: Friendship, community, generosity, compassion Paloma is lonely after her best friend has moved away. Until she meets Noah and learns that making friends is sometimes as extending generosity and compassion to your neighbor.Teaching children the importance of compassionate communitiesDiversity of characters and their backgrounds is interwoven in the story, opening the door to conversations about community and acceptanceGreat title that presents diversity in an understated way.Title lends itself as a conversation starter for talks about cultural differences and understanding.

"An uncomplicated story about the small ways that dads can help young ones accept their new siblings." - Kirkus ReviewsOwen feels left out. Since his little brother arrived, it seems like Daddy doesn't have time for him anymore. Luckily, Daddy has an idea. He and Owen will do something special-Owen's choice. So what should they do?A warm story about the bond between parents and their children, which remains strong even when there's a new baby in the house. For big brothers and sisters ages 3 years and up.