Review by Booklist Review
In another winner about rabbit siblings Max and Ruby, little Max outwits his bossy older sister. There is no way Ruby and her best friend will allow bumbling Max to help when they set up a lemonade stand to make money so that they can buy trendy flashing rings. So Max sets up his own stand to sell leftover Halloween candy, and with Grandma's help, he turns out to be the better business bunny. Not all little ones will understand Max's sly trick the first time around, but even those who don't 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-child's seething anger and rebellion, and finally his delightfully blissful triumph.--Rochman, Hazel Copyright 2008 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
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. (May) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by School Library Journal Review
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 (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Horn Book Review
(Preschool) The format may be larger than the early Max and Ruby books, but the dynamics between bunny siblings Ruby and her frustrated and frustrating younger brother Max remain just the same. This time, the conflict begins when Ruby and her best friend Louise decide to earn the money to buy the Fire Angel flashing rings they covet. Max's help with painting a sign and mixing and pouring the lemonade is firmly declined, so he sets up a competing business using "long-forgotten" (though not by Max, apparently) Halloween candy. Wells retains the cozy feel of her earlier board books by keeping the pictures small, framed against a larger, bright background, with plenty of room for the words beneath. She uses the border effectively, occasionally breaking out of it, as when Max spills lemonade right out of the frame and off the bottom of the page. As always, the birth order of the reader will shape whether sympathies lie with Ruby or the triumphant Max, but all will enjoy seeing the pair lock horns once again. From HORN BOOK, (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
Wells's Max and Ruby have been mainstays on the young-young reader/listener scene for many years now. So why hasn't Max grown up? Because he's Max, who has no growth hormones, but pure mischief coursing through his system. Here he is in fine form. Ruby and friend Louise are smitten with the newest Fire Angel Flashing Rings, but they need $2 to purchase them. They decide on a lemonade stand to earn the necessary amount. They won't, however, let Max get close; they expect, not without unwarrant, but a tad dismissively, that he'll just make a hash of everything. So Max sets up shop down the street, hawking his old Halloween candy. Grandma, tired of waiting in line for lemonade, visits Max's establishment, buys the lot and then heads into town with Max to buy him a treat. When Ruby and Louise finally get their two bucks, they find the rings have been sold--and one, of course, graces Max's hand. In a story full of sweet eats--not to mention candy-colored artwork--he supplies the palate cleanser of comeuppance. (Picture book. 2-5) Copyright ©Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
