'Lucky Ruby': Howell native pens children's book to encourage interfaith families

LIVINGSTON COUNTY — A former Howell resident is publishing her first children’s book, based on her daughter’s interfaith upbringing.

“Lucky Ruby,” by Laura Rittman, follows the story of a young girl, Ruby, who is raised celebrating both Christian and Jewish holidays. Ruby invites a classmate, Violet, to her family’s holiday, but later overhears the classmate making fun of her family’s interfaith traditions.

“Violet comes over and is a little hesitant about everything,” Rittman said. “But then, (she) sees how we celebrate, (and) she has loads of fun."

The story is based on the real-life experience of the Rittman family. Rittman is a Christian who grew up in Howell. As a student at Ferris State University, she met her husband Jay, who is Jewish.

“I remember when he told me he was Jewish, looking out the window and thinking, ‘I know that's different.’ I had no idea because, when I grew up in Howell, it was only Christian. There wasn't a lot of mixed races or anything like that, so it was totally new to me,” Rittman said. “We have always respected each other's faiths."

The couple later adopted a daughter from China — Ruby, who was raised in Byron.

“We're quite the melting pot, and very open and respectful of everyone ... I try to convey that in my book,” Rittman said.

When Ruby went off to college, Rittman — who was a stay-at-home mom — found herself struggling.

“I felt very lost. I didn't know what my identity was anymore,” she said.

Jay encouraged her to focus on a dream she’d had since Ruby was little: writing the interfaith children’s book that didn’t exist when she was raising her daughter.

Rittman enrolled in an online course and was soon connected to the publisher BiblioKid .

“Lucky Ruby” is now in the illustration phase and is slated for release this fall. The book is being illustrated by Cennet Kapkac.

“We were really proud of her,” said Ruby, currently a student at the University of Michigan, of her mother.

“Growing up ... a lot of the times around the holidays, my parents would come in (to school) and they would play Dreidel or read a Hanukkah book, or bring a Menorah to my classes. I never got bullied for it, but I think (other kids) were just more fascinated about it because it was so unheard of in our area.”

Subscribe: Get all your breaking news and unlimited access to our local coverage

Rittman plans to continue writing children’s books, beyond faith. She hopes to show couples, with this book, they don’t have to choose one religion.

“I'm hoping a child that is raised interfaith will feel fulfilled, represented, and not like they're alone," Rittman said.

She will be available for book readings and signings once “Lucky Ruby” is released through Amazon and Barnes and Noble. She encourages local bookstores to reach out to her if they're interested in carrying the book or setting up an event.

— Contact reporter Tess Ware at tware@livingstondaily.com .

This article originally appeared on Livingston Daily: 'Lucky Ruby': Howell native pens children's book to encourage interfaith families