Max & Ruby's Bedtime Book

PreS-Gr 1—When Grandma reads a bedtime story to her grandchildren, one story morphs into three dynamic tales, each starring these irresistible rabbit siblings. The ever-helpful, yet exasperating Max tries to assert his independence with humorous results. In "Ruby's Restaurant," he tries desperately to include himself in the imaginative dinner his sister and her friend prepare, though he is halted at every opportunity. Max's persistence reveals a child-centered perspective as he concocts a positively gross creation of chocolate mousse for dessert (combining dirt, shampoo, and bird-seed shavings) to his accepting grandmother's loving satisfaction. Max's heroism shines in "Splish Splash" when he saves his friend Lily's dolly from the lake's disastrous depths and reaps a refreshing reward, a savory cherry-lemon-lime rainbow pop. In "Max Goes to School," Max and Lily refuse to attend playschool and sit idly in their toy airplane, much to their older sisters' dismay. With the girls lending a helping hand, Max and his friend experience the best of both worlds—school in their airplane. Punchy dialogue serves this inviting and oversized layout well; light pastel spreads suit each whimsical story line and its sweetly realized conclusion. A solid selection particularly for those already enamored by this lovable bunny duo.—Meg Smith, Cumberland County Public Library, Fayetteville, NC

To ease Max and Ruby into bedtime, Grandma tells three stories, all revolving around Max's different-drummer personality. Wells makes efficient, child-friendly use of space, jumping straight into the stories and letting each one's first page serve as title page, introduction, and plot propulsion. The vintage Wells art is cheerful, cleanly composed, and nicely varied in size and pace, with warm colors and eye-pleasing patterns.