Max's Birthday (Max and Ruby) [Board book]

Rosemary Wells (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 1 and up | Series: Max and Ruby

When Max sees his new windup toy lobster, he says, No! His big sister, Ruby, makes it go away, but back it comes. Around and around it chases them until it stops on Max, who cries, Again! Rosemary Wells's original four Max books, brought out in 1979, were the first high-quality board books published. Combined with the second four, published in 1985, total sales are over one million! And Mrs. Wells's followers are legion. Now she has completely reillustrated her eight delightful Max board books in her exciting and vibrant full-color style. The highly imaginative stories, loved by millions of young children, are even funnier with the new artwork. These are perfect first books, especially with the increased focus on the importance of reading to babies and toddlers, a cause that Mrs. Wells has been wholeheartedly promoting for several years with her The Most Important 20 Minutes of Your Day reading initiative.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 1 and up
  
• Board book: 12 pages
• Publisher: Dial; Board edition (February 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0803722680
• ISBN-13: 978-0803722682
• Product Dimensions: 7.1 x 7 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.3 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,419,320 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Born in New York City, Rosemary Wells grew up in a house "filled with books, dogs, and nineteenth-century music." Her childhood years were spent between her parents' home near Red Bank, New Jersey, and her grandmother's rambling stucco house on the Jersey Shore. Most of her sentimental memories, both good and bad, stem from that place and time. Her mother was a dancer in the Russian Ballet, and her father a playwright and actor. Mrs. Wells says, "Both my parents flooded me with books and stories. My grandmother took me on special trips to the theater and museums in New York. "Rosemary Wells's career as an author and illustrator spans more than 30 years and 60 books. She has won numerous awards, and has given readers such unforgettable characters as Max and Ruby, Noisy Nora, and Yoko. She has also given Mother Goose new life in two enormous, definitive editions, published by Candlewick. Wells wrote and illustrated Unfortunately Harriet, her first book with Dial, in 1972. One year later she wrote the popular Noisy Nora. "The children and our home life have inspired, in part, many of my books. Our West Highland white terrier, Angus, had the shape and expressions to become Benjamin and Tulip, Timothy, and all the other animals I have made up for my stories." Her daughters Victoria and Beezoo were constant inspirations, especially for the now famous "Max" board book series. "Simple incidents from childhood are universal," Wells says. "The dynamics between older and younger siblings are common to all families."But not all of Wells' ideas come from within the family circle. Many times when speaking, Mrs. Wells is asked where her ideas come from. She usually answers, "It's a writer's job to have ideas." Sometimes an idea comes from something she reads or hears about, as in the case of her recent book, Mary on Horseback, a story based on the life of Mary Breckenridge, who founded the Frontier Nursing Service. Timothy Goes to School was based on an incident in which her daughter was teased for wearing the wrong clothes to a Christmas concert. Her dogs, west highland terriers, Lucy and Snowy, work their way into her drawings in expression and body position. She admits, "I put into my books all of the things I remember. I am an accomplished eavesdropper in restaurants, trains, and gatherings of any kind. These remembrances are jumbled up and changed because fiction is always more palatable than truth. Memories become more true as they are honed and whittled into characters and stories."

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Another Great Max Book, April 12, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Max's Birthday (Max and Ruby) (Board book)

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.

4.0 out of 5 stars Cute Random story, November 16, 2011

By 

Val V - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Max's Birthday (Max & Ruby) (Board book)

I bought this for my nephew Max for his birthday. He loves books and liked the pictures, but I have to say I don't know why the book talks more about a lobster than his actual birthday. It's also very short. But great for really young kids who have a short attention span. Now my nephew know what a lobster is.

5.0 out of 5 stars Grandson loves it, March 22, 2009

By 

J. Westmoreland (Nevada) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Max's Birthday (Max & Ruby) (Board book)

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