Apryl Stott

Illustrated by: Apryl Stott

Ruby the little fox uses a hammer and other tools to overcome anxiety and anger during a school group project in this heartfelt sequel to Ruby’s Tools for Making Friends by New York Times bestselling author-illustrator Apryl Stott.

Ruby has special tools to help her at school: a tape measure to count her breaths when she’s feeling overwhelmed; safety goggles to remind her to see things in a different way; and pliers to remind her to be flexible. But when Ruby’s friends start bossing her around during a group project, she finds that her tools aren’t working!

Instead, Ruby loses her cool and makes a mess of their project and the classroom. Ruby instantly wishes she could take back her messy mistake, but she’s too upset. At home, Pop Pop tells Ruby that anger is a normal emotion and encourages her to find a positive activity to let the emotion out the next time she feels angry. He even gifts her a hammer for her tool belt, as a reminder of what she’s learned.

Armed with her new tool, Ruby is determined to set things right at school. But she’s about to discover that even the messiest mistake can be fixed with a little help from friends.