Ruby's Tools for Fixing Mistakes

Ruby's Tools #2

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 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.

Genres: Picture Books

Kindle Edition

Published June 2, 2026

Reviews

[Ryan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is OK. I wanted to like it more than I did. This is lesson heavy. The story is adorable. Ruby is a fox. She has tools to help her with her emotions throughout the day but on this particular day, she gets mad because her friends are bossing her around. Her and her pop talk it over after school and add a new tool to her tool belt of things. The lesson in this book is not hidden. It is screaming in front of your face. And because it’s so blatant it feels forced. I like the artwork in this book and the story is OK but it’s not one I would go too frequently.

[LORIANN (my opinion doesn't mean much, but ...) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a FANTASTIC book for teaching coping skills!

Ruby becomes very overwhelmed and just wants to help with a school project. She has a lot of ideas! Her mind is working overtime, and she loves to help out and contribute. Soon, two of her classmates are bossing her around and making things worse for her. She ends up making a mess of the school banner! Pop Pop, her toolbox of "special tools," and her friend Alex will learn coping skills to help her get through this. Ruby will pull through and show those two what determination is.

This is a very special book that needs to be in all school libraries and read in classrooms! It is a very important story to be shared.

Thank YOU NET GALLEY for a ARC COPY of this book and THANK YOU APRYL for writing this story! All opinions remain my own.

[Alliekbreads17 · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an advanced copy received from Netgalley
I read this book with my 5 year old and 8 year old boys. They both loved it and it was a great lesson on feelings and how to handle them for really both boys. There were some pages that couldn't be read due to font colors and background colors.

[Sheri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Disappointment at school when there is not time for Ruby's plan to build something with her tools. When she tries to do something her way another student squawks in her face. Finally Ruby explodes in anger and spills paint everywhere. At recess she cleans up messes she made. Pop Pop comes to get her and at home they talk about getting anger out a better way. A good read on channeling anger.

[Kimberly Wright Oelkers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Definitely ordering this book for my school library. Full of helpful ideas for regulating kids' overflowing emotions.