Max's Bath

Max and Ruby

by Rosemary Wells

Ruby gives her brother Max two baths, but he winds up dirtier than ever

Genres: Childrens, Picture Books, Fiction, Animals, Kids

Board Book

First published March 18, 1985

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

Rosemary Wells is an American writer and illustrator of children's books. She often uses animal characters to address real human issues. Some of her most well-known characters are Max & Ruby and Timothy from Timothy Goes To School (both were later adapted into Canadian-animated preschool television series, the former’s airing on Nickelodeon (part of the Nick Jr. block) and the latter’s as part of PBS Kids on PBS).

Reviews

[Charlotte Rice · Rating 5 out of 5]

Where TF are Max and Ruby’s parents?

[K · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am inspired by the simplicity and wry charm of the Max books. I forgot how few words a picturebook can have, how simple and relatable to the point of mundane the illustrations and subject matter can be, and still be brilliant.... and that ending with a great punchline is sublime. I am taking a class on writing picturebooks and am trying to make one myself and was getting intimidated by a lot of the books I look up to. I don't have to write Nana Upstairs and Nana Downstairs. Or a Jamberry. Or even put together a George and Martha collection. I can shoot for more of a Max's Bath and if I can do it well it will be ok, and complete and legitimate in and of itself as a kids book. Not to diminish Ms. Wells' incredible genius, but it just makes me hopeful in terms of the scale of the whole endeavour (12ish pages vs. 32!) and my own dry sense of humor when it comes to children. The expressions on the sister-bunny's face are priceless and very familiar.

[Marilyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Typical parental situation.

[Meredith · Rating 3 out of 5]

Max is a messy eater, causing Ruby to bathe him multiple times.

[Pennie · Rating 2 out of 5]

My baby had trouble sitting through this. There was too much story for her attention span.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Parents responsible for bathing sticky little children will be able to relate to this book (I'm not sure that bathing a child actually ever does any real good for more than about 5 seconds). This book is short, and the humor is very easy for a young kid to appreciate and understand. Great for little Max and Ruby fans.

[Lorelei · Rating 5 out of 5]

Remains one of my favourite children's books, and my children concur.

[elissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

CLEAN, said Ruby. DIRTY, said Max. That about says it all for this fun boardbook about rabbit siblings.

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed reading this Max book. My kids often end up as dirty as Max and consequently I end up as dirty as Ruby!

[Rob · Rating 4 out of 5]

Max is some kind of toddler rabbit. He is dirty and messy. And his bossy sister Ruby foolishly thinks she can get him clean.

I wish this was twice as long as it is.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

My and my 3 kids all time favorite board book. The best for reading to tiny children. Hilarious and appealing to adults and kids. If I could only have one board book, this would be it.

[Brandi Streeval · Rating 5 out of 5]

read this to my daughter very cute book

[Meghan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the first book I read all by myself. Rosemary Wells is one of my favorite children's writers.

[Krystal · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is very funny and silly too!!!