Max's Bedtime

Max and Ruby

by Rosemary Wells

Max's rubber elephant is lost. Ruby tosses him her bear, but Max still can't sleep. So many toys get piled on his bed that he falls off -- and there's the elephant! Good night!

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

10 pages, 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

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ruby tries to help Max go to sleep, but wears herself out first.

[Mort's Kids · Rating 2 out of 5]

I look forward to the day when women stop enabling the lazy men in their families.

Not much to the story or the art in this one. It's saving grace is that it's a little silly and blissfully short

[Bailey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sweet characters I remember from my childhood but this book isn’t anything special

[Meredith · Rating 3 out of 5]

Max cannot fall asleep without his red rubber elephant.

[Christy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rosemary Wells's original four Max Board Books, published in 1979 by Dial and followed by an additional four in 1985, were the first high quality board books in the U.S. and became immediate classics. Total sales of the eight books were over 1.2 million! But more important, they have been loved by millions of children. For the next generation Rosemary Wells has now completely re-illustrated all eight delightful Max books in her bold, new full-color style. These wonderful stories with real characters are funnier than ever. They are terrific first books, especially with the increased focus on the importance of reading to babies and toddlers, a cause that Mrs. Wells has been wholeheartedly promoting for several years with her "The Most Important 20 Minutes of Your Day" reading program and now the Prescription for Reading Initiative.Creator of over fifty books published by Dial, Rosemary Wells is one of America's most prolific author-illustrators. Her work has received The New York Times Best Illustrated citation and her recent Dial book Bunny Money is an American Bookseller Pick of the Lists.

Max's rubber elephant is lost. Ruby tosses him her bear, but Max still can't go to sleep. So many toys get piled on his bed that he falls off -- and there's his elephant! Good night!

[Sonya Feher · Rating 5 out of 5]

The original Max books are so much fun because of their sarcasm, the sibling relationship of bossy older sister and silly younger brother. We love this bedtime story because it is not so sweet or soothing as the rest. Max has a hard time falling asleep as his older sister covers him in stuffed animals trying to get him to go to bed. Our favorite illustration is of Max wrapped in a stuffed purple and green snake accompanied by the line, "But Max could not relax."

[Dolly · Rating 4 out of 5]

We have loved this book! Our girls used to ask for it often when they were very young and they will still ask for it at bedtime on occasion. That rascally red rubber elephant is hiding and Max can't sleep until he finds it. Luckily, we haven't had that kind of frustration often in our household, but our girls can relate to being unable to find a favorite toy.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another Max and Ruby book that my nephew could relate to. He is a reluctant sleeper, a night-owl, a pill when it comes to bedtime, and like Max, conditions have to be perfect before sleep can even be considered. Cute book that prompted a, "Max is like me," from my nephew.

[Kelsey · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a story about Max who can’t sleep because he can’t find his red rubber elephant. His sister Ruby tries to help him find it and instead tries to give him substitutes instead of the elephant. I would use this book to read before bedtime or naptime.

[Skye Kilaen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Within the big list of Max and Ruby books are a few that I really quite enjoy. Short, funny board books are like good all-ages jokes. Max's Bedtime is one of those! Especially the results when Ruby throws the snake.

[elissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Max and Ruby books are really memorable. This one has a red rubber elephant, a Max who can't relax, and I read it many, MANY times!

[Christi · Rating 1 out of 5]

just say no to Max and Ruby

[Thia]

bedtime

[kim · Rating 3 out of 5]

cute but just alright

[Kaethe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh, Max. Such a silly little bunny. With such amazing focus.

[Holly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh, Max!