Max's First Word (Max Board Books)

Rating:
Summary: Cute story, but taxing text.
Review: Let me introduce Max, and his older sister Ruby if you are not already familiar with these endearing little bunnies. Max is generally the mischievous one, while big sister Ruby is helpful, but often bossy. In this short story Ruby attempts to teach Max some new words as his first, and only word is BANG. She starts with CUP, then try's POT, BROOM, FISH, EGG, CHAIR and finally APPLE. In the end, Max takes a big bite out of the apple and triumphantly declares it DELICIOUS! "MAX's First Word," is a charming account of brotherly and sisterly love, and teaches a few words too. I love that Max's first word is BANG, kid's love hearing, BANG, BANG, BANG.

The text is very short; only ten pages long, and incorporates humor, which is always desirable. This little board book measures 7" x 7" x ¼", and is simply illustrated, yet the images are colorful and expressive for easy comprehension. I found "MAX's First Word," difficult to read aloud. There are TOO many "he said/ she said's" in this story, as in many of Ms. Wells books. For instance, the story begins, "Max's one word was BANG! No, Max, said sister, Ruby. Say CUP. BANG, said Max." The wording is awkward to read out loud, and does not flow. Cute story, yet taxing text. Birth and up.

Rating:
Summary: Cute story, but taxing text.
Review: Let me introduce Max, and his older sister Ruby if you are not already familiar with these endearing little bunnies. Max is generally the mischievous one, while big sister Ruby is helpful, but often bossy. In this short story Ruby attempts to teach Max some new words as his first, and only word is BANG. She starts with CUP, then try's POT, BROOM, FISH, EGG, CHAIR and finally APPLE. In the end, Max takes a big bite out of the apple and triumphantly declares it DELICIOUS! "MAX's First Word," is a charming account of brotherly and sisterly love, and teaches a few words too. I love that Max's first word is BANG, kid's love hearing, BANG, BANG, BANG.

The text is very short; only ten pages long, and incorporates humor, which is always desirable. This little board book measures 7" x 7" x ¼", and is simply illustrated, yet the images are colorful and expressive for easy comprehension. I found "MAX's First Word," difficult to read aloud. There are TOO many "he said/ she said's" in this story, as in many of Ms. Wells books. For instance, the story begins, "Max's one word was BANG! No, Max, said sister, Ruby. Say CUP. BANG, said Max." The wording is awkward to read out loud, and does not flow. Cute story, yet taxing text. Birth and up.

Rating:
Summary: Definitive Max
Review: Ruby and Max's interactions are so simply stated, yet so representative of sibling and even parent/child relationships. Rosemary Wells makes me react (in this case, laugh) along with my child as we read about Ruby and Max's conversations and adventures. I consider that a sign of a good children's book....a truly shared experience.

In this particular book, the readers get a great perspective on Max, whose usual, simple verbalizations are evident (his one and only word is BANG!) but also made evident are the wheels that are constantly turning in his brain, when he, without prompt, comes out with "Delicious!" after biting into an apple. A good reminder that even our littlest ones are watching and learning even before they are talking.

Another short, simple, sweet Max and Ruby book to share with your child.

Rating:
Summary: Definitive Max
Review: Ruby and Max's interactions are so simply stated, yet so representative of sibling and even parent/child relationships. Rosemary Wells makes me react (in this case, laugh) along with my child as we read about Ruby and Max's conversations and adventures. I consider that a sign of a good children's book....a truly shared experience.

In this particular book, the readers get a great perspective on Max, whose usual, simple verbalizations are evident (his one and only word is BANG!) but also made evident are the wheels that are constantly turning in his brain, when he, without prompt, comes out with "Delicious!" after biting into an apple. A good reminder that even our littlest ones are watching and learning even before they are talking.

Another short, simple, sweet Max and Ruby book to share with your child.

Rating:
Summary: Everybody's favorite book
Review: There isn't a Max book for every occasion, and I hope there never will be. Max and his older sister Ruby are too much like real siblings to ever get stuck in the formulaic series rut. In fact, Ruby and Max are so much like my two oldest kids that I use the Max books to help my son deal with the frustrations of being the "little brother."

In one of the first books, Ruby is trying to expand toddler Max's vocabulary. He knows one word -- BANG -- and uses it often, with accompanying gestures. Ruby shows Max a cup. "Say CUP," she commands. "Bang," he replies. She shows him a pot, a broom, and egg, naming each item. Bang. Bang. Bang. Bang. He's still not catching on and now there's raw egg all over the floor.

Exasperated, Ruby helps Max into his high chair and shows him an apple, "Say APPLE, Max. YUM YUM, Max. Say YUM YUM."

Max takes a bite of the apple, then holds it aloft and repeats the new word he's learned. "DELICIOUS!"

The Max board books are great for babies and toddlers. If your kids are older, check out the picture books, which are even better than the board books.

Rating:
Summary: Everybody's favorite book
Review: This is absolutely my son's favorite book, and has been since he was about 11 months old. He will sort through all of his books, pick this one, and come toddling over to me-grinning from ear to ear-and sit down in my lap to have it read to him. The fun of it is, its particular brand of humor has not gotten old for me, either.

We have introduced the book to several friends and their children. The adults have all become Rosemary Wells addicts (like us) and the children always drag it out to hear it, asking "Bang? Bang?" I respect Wells' books because she is able to write stories simple enough for infants and toddlers to enjoy, full of clear pictures, that can still make parents laugh every time, too.