Max's Birthday (Max and Ruby)

"Read it again!", said my grandson after we read Max's Birthday. That's the highest form of approval in my book.

My kids loved this book when they were little, so I was excited to buy a copy for my grandson, but I was disappointed to see that the toy Max receives from his sister Ruby is a clockwork lobster, not the clockwork dragon that was in the original story! It's still a cute story, but the dragon was a lot more appealing. What kid wants a toy lobster?

Max and Ruby books are good for young toddlers. The stories are very vague and nothing ever really happens leaving the ending of the book a little dry. If you like Max and Ruby I suppose this book is along the lines of standard for this author. There is that red lobster that appears in this book (and others) that chases Max around and around and like always Ruby is trying to get him out of trouble...at the end Max wants to do it again.

Max and his sister Ruby are back. Max unwraps Ruby's gift - a large wind-up mechanical lobster - and is startled as it seems to chase him around the house. As always, Rosemary Wells delights young listeners with her surprise ending and simple dialog. I read this to my day care children and the 1 and 3 year olds love it. Adults will enjoy the details such as the party outfits decorated with cake and ice cream and Max's facial expressions. And when your children want to hear this book over and over, it's a quick read aloud.

The Max books are among my favorites for small children, and this one is no exception. While it explores concepts like "over," "under," etc., at the same time it includes interesting illustrations and a story line that preschoolers and their parents can relate to (Max is afraid of his birthday present -- a windup dragon -- at first, but after running away from it for several pages, in the end says, "Again!"). In all of the Max books that we have read so far, the author incorporates amusing common childhood traits into an entertaining story that everyone can relate to. This book gets my vote for one that parents and children will enjoy reading together, over and over.