Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #353110 in Books
• Published on: 2000-02-24
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 32 pages

From Amazon.com
How we love Max--the mischievous toddler rabbit who is often battling wits and wills with his bossy-boots older sister Ruby. Now it's time for the siblings' Easter egg hunt! Just as the festivities are about to begin, a secretive Easter Bunny places a huge chocolate chicken in the birdbath. "I love you," Max innocently declares to the edible chicken he covets. "Wait Max," warns Ruby. "First we must go on an egg hunt. If you find the most eggs then you get the chocolate chicken." But Max, who is still young enough to be distracted by mud puddles and marching ants, can't possibly focus on finding a single egg. When it becomes obvious that Ruby has collected the most (if not all) of the Easter eggs, Max takes drastic measures--as the youngest sibling often will--and steals the chicken. Rosemary Wells's expressive, giggle-funny illustrations (along with the board-book format) make this a perfect Easter story for toddlers as well as preschoolers, who will delight in Max's blatant misbehavior and relish the inevitable happy ending. (Baby to preschool) --Gail Hudson

From Publishers Weekly
Irresistible Max is backthis time starring in a springtime book full of Easter surprises. When Max finds a chocolate chicken in the birdbath, big sister Ruby decides to organize an Easter egg hunt. Whoever finds the most eggs will get to eat Max's chocolate chicken, she says. Max tries to play Ruby's game, but like most toddlers, is easily distracted. When Ruby finds him making ant-and-acorn pancakes, she says, "Pull youself together . . . otherwise you'll never get the chocolate chicken." But Max knows better. While Ruby smugly counts all the eggs in her basket, Max steals his chocolate chicken, and, hiding beneath a tree, eats it all by himself. Ruby is aghast, until she discovers the chocolate duck the thoughtful Easter bunny has left for her. Like Wells's other Max books, the text is understated and perceptive; the funny illustrations are as beguiling as the natty Easter bunny himself. Ages 3-7.
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal
PreSchool-Grade 1-- It's cause for celebration when rabbit toddler Max and his bossy sister Ruby return to share another holiday with young readers. Max falls in love with a chocolate chicken that's been left in the bird bath by the Easter Rabbit, and he simply wants to eat it. Ruby, however, insists that they hunt for eggs, with the winner claiming it. Determined Max gets his way, but the surprise ending shows that Ruby is no loser. With her characteristic simplicity of illustration and plot, Wells once again creates an entertaining story with a beguiling main character. The illustrations, in bright jelly bean colors, reflect expression, emotion, mood, and the humor of the situations and capture the freshness of the season. An Easter treat that features two child-like hares in a tale to be enjoyed again and again.
- Trev Jones, "School Library Journal"
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Customer Reviews

Love it or leave it.
I think the previous reviewer (tabris02) has given good advice. This book will either resonate with you or it won't. We received it as a gift and were a bit puzzled by it, asking grandma, "What kind of lesson are you trying to teach our toddler?" The bulk of the story was cute, as Max mucked about in the yard while Ruby single-mindedly found every Easter egg. But the ending didn't sit well with me...selfishness with no remorse or consequences or even awareness of his sister's feelings. Years later, with three kids, I realize that siblings will learn to be competitive and selfish even without seeing those traits demonstrated in books. So, I've lightened up a bit. But I still don't find myself reaching for this book on our shelf. Of the Max and Ruby stories, I prefer Bunny Cakes. Another of our favorite Rosemary Wells books is Fritz and the Mess Fairy (Fritz is a slob who during one amazing night tries to make it up to his family by cleaning the entire house and fixing them breakfast in bed. In the process, he makes a huge mess again in the kitchen...but his efforts to improve himself and express his love to his family are very endearing!).

My kids love this book
The best part about this book is realizing -- after several readings -- how Ruby, the older sister, tries to manipulate her little brother by telling him he has to win an egg hunt to win the chocolate chicken. But of course, big sister gets humbled (and her own chocolate chicken) in the end.
This book is my kids' favorite Max and Ruby book, but they are all good, especially Bunny Cakes.

poor Ruby..
..thinks her younger brother has stolen the only chocolate chicken!! I can imagine little brothers acting just like Max. Another my daughter loves to have read to her.