Ruby lives in the city and Grampa lives in the country. They write to each other and share the events in their lives. Ruby tells about the flights of stairs in their apartment block and the sights of the city. Grampa tells about the naughty magpies that live in his old oak tree. Through the Magpie Song that Grampa describes, the events of the story unravel — three magpies for Ruby the magpie girl, one for a heartbreaking goodbye, and six for a wonderful surprise that might change Ruby’s life forever. Jim Coplestone’s vibrant images and Laurence Anholt’s imaginative narrative distinguish this book that includes a fold-out flap with gold foil.