Ainsworth, Ruth (1908– ), English writer of books for children, who has published numerous retellings of the classical fairy tales. Her more original work consists of the fairy‐tale novels The Talking Rock (1979) and The Mysterious Baba and her Magic Caravan: Two Stories (1980). In The Talking Rock a young boy named Jakes makes a figure in the sand who magically comes to life. This Sand Boy joins with Jakes and a mermaid to overcome the sea monster Glumper, who is oppressing all the sea creatures. Ainsworth's two stories in The Mysterious Baba and her Magic Caravan take place in the Left‐Over Land, a place where unsold toys make their home and where a homeless Russian doll named Baba creates excitement for the rest of the dolls. Ainsworth has also published The Ruth Ainsworth Book (1970) and Mermaids' Tales (1980), which include fairy‐tale narratives.
— Jack Zipes
