Sally Simon Simmons' Super Frustrating Day

PreS-Gr 2—This title is based on the television series Ruby's Studio: The Feelings Show. Sally's school project is to make a sandwich, but she doesn't want to make any sandwich; she wants to make one that's a mile high. As she layers on all the fixings and it grows taller, the sandwich topples over. After a few attempts, Sally feels frustrated, has a bit of a meltdown, and wants to quit. Her wise teacher tells her that, "if you quit you'll never know." He also mentions the value of practice and taking the project slowly to help handle the frustrating and angry feelings. And she proceeds. The multicultural characters are well depicted. Their faces broadcast their feelings. For example, when Sally is about to explode, her cheeks are red, and her eyes are small and have a piercing quality to them. Animation from the TV show is used for the illustrations. Backgrounds are done in watercolors. This book has an updated "Mr. Rogers" feel. It opens with a photo of Ruby next to a feelings wheel, and ends with her signature signoff, which includes a frame of her holding up a finger, a hand, blowing a kiss, and then waving good-bye. Pair this with William Mulcahy's Zach Gets Frustrated (Free Spirit, 2012). A good choice for parenting collections, especially if Ruby's Studio is popular.—Anne Beier, Hendrick Hudson Free Library, Montrose, NY