Publication Date: June 23, 2003 | Age Level: 1 and up | Series: Max and Ruby
Everybody loves Max and Ruby-and what toddler could resist these adorable shaped board books? Cut in the shape of Rosemary Well's beloved bunny siblings and filled with simple text and colorful illustrations on every page, these two books are guaranteed to delight the very youngest Max and Ruby fans, who can now follow the bunnies' adventures on daily television.
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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."
This review is from: Ruby's Tea for Two (Max and Ruby) (Board book)
"Another Rosemary Wells Winner!" Rosemary Wells has written another winner with Ruby's Tea for Two. The story follows her usual pattern: older sister Ruby tries to dictate how an activity should take place, in this case a tea party. Best friend Louise (who owns the tea set) is invited. Little brother Max is not. "One chocolate and one strawberry, please," Ruby orders newly appointed waiter Max. As usual, one-track mind Max is determined to get his way. The devious expression in Max's eyes is reason enough to get this latest addition to this lively series. The Max and Ruby books are such a hit in our house that my 3.5-year-old daughter renamed her younger sister "Max"- and she answers to it! While we saw this particular story first on TV's Nick Jr., both my girls request the book version over and over. I also recommend the recently released Max Drives Away.
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