Max's Bunny Business

May 5, 2008
Several of the prolific artist's best-loved picture book characters come out for star turns.
Max's Bunny Business
Rosemary Wells
. Viking
, $15.99 (32p) ISBN 978-0-670-01105-6

Indomitable and clever Max once again outsmarts big sister Ruby in a reliably pleasing adventure. Yummy endpapers, overflowing with candy corn, peppermints and other vaguely recognizable sweets, foreshadow Max's triumph, while the efficient text eschews subtleties such as thoughts or transitions, and focuses on action. Wells wastes no words in telling her story: Ruby and her friend Louise set up a lemonade stand to raise money to complete their Fire Angel jewelry sets. Max tries to help, but is too little to do anything right. Dismissed by the girls, he sets up his own business, selling his Halloween candy. As usual, Grandma appears as the deus ex machina; she buys out his candy supply and takes him to the store with his profits to buy the ring the girls have set their sights on. The girls make their money, buy earrings instead and come home happy to drink Max and Grandma's lemonade. The swiftly moving story, enthusiastic characters and enticing candy are rendered in broad, colorful strokes that cannot fail to please the target audience. Ages 3–5.

June 1, 2008
PreS-Gr 1-Ever-industrious Ruby wants to buy two Fire Angel flashing rings, one for herself and one for her friend Louise. They decide to sell lemonade so that they can earn the necessary two dollars. Max wants to lend a hand, but Ruby does not want his help, so he sets up a competing business, selling old Halloween candy that he found in his closet. He manages to sell the lot to his grandmother, who drives him to the novelty store. After a successful day at the lemonade stand, the girls cycle to the same store, only to discover that the last Fire Angel flashing ring has been sold. It's no surprise who bought it. Wells is treading familiar ground here as Ruby is outfoxed yet again by her younger brother. It hardly seems fair, though, because Ruby is guilty of no more than trying to do a good job and earn her own treat. But fans of this rabbit duo will be happy. The illustrations are clean and bright, making liberal use of pastel backgrounds and shiny metallic detail to accent Ruby's jewelry, the chrome on Max's fire truck, and the dimes on the front cover. A pleasant, though uninspiring, addition to the series."Kara Schaff Dean, Walpole Public Library, MA"

Copyright 2008 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

March 1, 2008
In another winner about rabbit siblings Max and Ruby, littleMax outwits his bossy older sister. There is no way Ruby and her best friend will allow bumbling Max to helpwhen they set up a lemonade stand to make money so that they can buy trendy flashing rings. SoMax sets up his own stand to sell leftover Halloween candy, and with Grandmas help, he turns out to be the better business bunny.Not alllittle ones will understand Maxs sly trick the first time around, buteven those who dont will love going back to read the story again and again.As always, Wells Easter-bright artwork tells a dramatic story of sibling rivalry, with body language that shows the small rabbit-childs seething anger and rebellion, and finally his delightfully blissful triumph.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2008, American Library Association.)