Meltdown!

Murphy's books have often comically explored the relationships between headstrong children and frazzled parents, and this story is no exception. Roxy, a rambunctious bunny toddler, is ready to help her mother shop for groceries, but she soon starts rolling cans down the aisle and throwing loaves of bread in the air instead of placing them in the cart. After Roxy gets her hands on a "piggy cake" that she's eager to eat, the messy result involves lots of wailing on Roxy's part and just as many apologies from her mother: "Everyone was looking." Carefully inked illustrations telegraph the emotions of all of Murphy's characters, including Roxy's eagerness and rage, her mother's embarrassment and anger, and the irritation of their fellow shoppers. Murphy's use of repetition (Roxy often echoes her mother's comments) and a mischievous ending%E2%80%94suffice it to say, the words "I'm sorry" never escape Roxy's lips%E2%80%94are just a few of the ways Murphy keeps her story true to life, as she suggests that sometimes the only way to beat a tantrum, as far as parents are concerned, is to suffer through it. Ages 3%E2%80%937. (Sept.)