The Rainbow in Ms. Ruby's Room

As an educator and the child of two Holocaust survivors, I have always believed that one of the most important lessons we can teach children is the value of humanity. My parents’ experiences taught me from an early age how important it is to recognize the dignity, worth, and humanity in every person—regardless of how different they may appear, where they come from, or what challenges they may face.

I wrote The Rainbow in Ms. Ruby’s Room because I wanted to share these lessons with children in a way that was meaningful, positive, and magical. I believe children are naturally compassionate and kind. With the guidance of loving parents, caring teachers, and supportive communities, those qualities can flourish. When children are encouraged to be kind, respectful, accepting, and courageous, kindness can become contagious. One thoughtful act can inspire another, and before long, an entire classroom can begin to change.

In Ms. Ruby’s classroom, the children begin to discover that everyone has something special to offer. They learn that differences should not separate us—they can make our world more interesting, beautiful, and complete. They learn to look beyond appearances and first impressions and to see the person underneath.

As the children begin practicing kindness, compassion, respect, and acceptance, something extraordinary begins to happen. Colors start to appear in the classroom. With every act of caring and courage, another color emerges. Eventually, those colors come together to form a beautiful rainbow.

The rainbow becomes a symbol of what can happen when people choose kindness over judgment, acceptance over exclusion, and courage over silence. Just as individual colors come together to create something beautiful, people with different backgrounds, personalities, abilities, and experiences can come together to create a more loving and peaceful world.

My hope is that The Rainbow in Ms. Ruby’s Room will inspire children to understand that they have the power to make a difference. A smile, an invitation to play, a kind word, standing up for someone who is being left out, or simply taking the time to understand another person can have a lasting impact.

The lessons of my parents’ generation remind us how important it is to teach children about humanity, compassion, and respect. But this book is ultimately a story of hope. It is a reminder that change can begin with something as simple as one child choosing to be kind.

And when kindness spreads from one child to another, the possibilities are as beautiful as a rainbow.