Reckless Ruby

You'll have to warn the children not to emulate too literally the doughty heroine of this spirited story. Ruby is a child cursed by beauty, whose parents want to bring her up preciously so that she can save her good looks for a handsome prince. Ruby has other ideas and defiantly embarks on a course of self-mutilation, which involves, among other things, handlebar dancing on a moving bicycle, porcupine swallowing, the smoking of multiple cheroots, and an attempt to walk on water in lead boots. A wild and hilarious tale, inviting a serious sidelong look at the contortions girls may have to go through in order to achieve self-determination.