The child narrator in this delicate story is painfully shy. He notices a girl named Ruby sitting in a cherry tree and speaking to no one. With the help of Max, the fearless dog that he gets for his birthday, he befriends Ruby, and they spend the summer talking and enjoying cherries. Although Ruby’s fam ily moves away, they promise to be brave and hope that they will meet when ever it’s cherry time. Double-page scenes of European cityscapes, unusual perspectives that emphasize the isolation of the shy boy, and the simple, quiet text encourage overcoming shyness and making friends. mjw

Originally published as Kirschenzeit mit Rubinella in German by Minedition Germany, in 2007. Translated by Kathryn Bishop.

It's so hard to play with other children when you're shy, as one little boy can tell you. He hides under the table when his parents' friends come over, and at school he's too timid to make friends. But when he sees a mysterious girl who hides in the cherry tree every day after school, he wants to be brave enough not to be afraid of her. He gets himself a dog - the bravest dog he can find. And when his new pal takes a liking to the girl, the two become fast friends. She too is very bashful, but now they hang out together in the cherry tree and play every day after school. Though her family will be moving away at the end of the year, they promise to keep meeting at the tree whenever it's cherry time. Here is a beautiful, delicate story about learning to overcome your shyness.