Customer Reviews

Bunny Party (Max and Ruby)

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Max and Ruby are my new favorite book characters in books for younger children. My kindergarten students love the short text, colorful illustrations, and of course, mischievous little Max. After reading the Easter book "Max's Chocolate Chicken" all Fall and Winter, I'm finally getting them some more Max books!

In "Bunny Party", Max's older sister Ruby, throws a party for their Grandma. Ruby's guest list includes her "Rapunzel", "Mr. and Mrs. Quack" and the "Tooth Fairy", but leaves no room for Max's favorite toys. Sneaky Max finds his own way to crash the party with his "Jellyball Shooter Spider" and several other guests.

I love Ruby because she is such a girl in the toys that she owns and in the type of party that she plans for Grandma. I love Max because he is such a boy in the toys that he owns and in the way he wants to be included in his older sister's party plans. And I love Rosemary Wells for creating characters that children will want to see to over and over again in stories that adults can also appreciate and enjoy.

I am rating this a 5-star book from the kids point of view. Kids just love the story, memorizing the names of all the toys that attend the bunny party, etc... My kids (a 4 year old boy and a 1.5 year old girl) drag out stuffed toys and a teaset at least three times a week to have a bunny party of their own.

If you buy this book, you will have to read it a gazillion times. From the parent's viewpoint, it's not the greatest book that you'll ever read a gazillion times to your kids, but it's way better than one of the books that you dread when they say, "Can we read it again tonight?" And hey, it's not our opinion that counts anyway, right?

Rosemary Wells has created two great brother and sister characters in the Bunny books, as well as the Max board books. Ruby is the responsible, if slightly bossy, older sister, and Max is her younger brother intent on doing what he wants. Ruby is throwing a party where most of the guests are her dolls and toys, and Max wants to invite some of his toys, too!

There is a lot of counting, which may go over better with the four to eight year old recommendation, but this is still a fun book to read with a younger child. Ruby is a fun character to read aloud.

the max and ruby series has been around for a while. written and illustrated by rosemary wells, who was recommended to me by a long-time children's librarian, this short book, published by puffin in 2003 and suitable for babies to preschoolers, features the popular pair of siblings hosting a birthday party for their beloved grandma. ruby is the older of the two, seven and bossy like older sisters can be while max is three, playful and tries to cleverly circumvent the instructions given by her.

as ruby seats the seven stuffed toy guests at the table, max keeps switching wands, wigs, and wings to disguise the uninvited guests - his three toys: jellyball shooter spider, ear-splitter space cadet and can't-sit-up slug. the book is great for kids learning to count, like this one. i'm not a big fan of bunnies in general but the artwork is colorful and carefully thought out and wells pays attention to small details like decorating the numbers labeling the guests. ruby wonders if she's having a bad counting day but when grandma shows up and finds the three uninvited guests, she exclaims, "how exciting!" and makes sure they all have "their snappers and their candy kisses and their favorite flavors of ice cream."

the story relies on the classic theme of sibling relationship, getting laughs from the attempts to outsmart the older sibling. it also teaches acceptance, showing that kids must welcome uninvited (and harmless) guests to parties.

A reassuring tale of parental (or in this case grandparental) unconditional love and support. Rosemary Well's penchant for country charm is apparent in this offering in the Max and Ruby series. Here the irrepressible Max conspires to invite "his Jellyball Shooter Spider, his Ear-Splitter Space Cadet, and his Can't-Sit-Up-Slug" to the tea party Ruby is hosting in Grandma's honor. As always, the nearly silent Max completely steals the show from his bossy older sister Ruby. Here children live in their own world, and live by their own rules, unfettered by parental relationships. The book portrays a loving yet sometimes strained sibling relationship. Ordinal counting is heavily featured in the book as well. The title page is rather charmingly made out like a child's handmade tea party invitation. The story also touches on gender stereotyping and may serve as a fantastic discussion opener on such topics, with Ruby's fondness for girlish dolls made apparent, while her younger brother displays a very clear preference for more masculine toys. Candy bright colors in the multi-media presentation entice the eye of both young and old. The straightforward prose invites deadpan pauses and is sure to make for excellent read-aloud material ideal for ages three to six.

My son is 3 yrs old and "Bunny Party" is his favorite Max & Ruby book. Also, I enjoy reading this story to him. All these books have an innocent, sweet and old-fashioned feel to them and Max is quite clever in this story.

If you have a question about whether or not you need to great all the Max and Ruby books, don't hesitate to snap them up. These are the ones for buying, go get those other books at the library. This one is counting themed but not in any lame way. Max still wins and Ruby kind of does too and Grandma is still happy with everything.

That's what you need to know. Go buy now.

I have four young children. We love all the Max and Ruby books but this is one of favorites. Max's determination to invite his "friends" to Grandma's party is hilarious.

These are such cute books! They reinforce in a simple form the relationship of siblings. My daughter loves these two characters with sassy personalities. I reccomend the board books for the little ones.