That Always Happens Sometimes

by Kiley Frank, K-Fai Steele (Illustrator)

Max is not exactly a perfect kid. From sunup through his school day and right until bedtime, he’s goofy, disorganized, and generally uncontainable—much to the frustration of those around him. But when a little enthusiasm and creativity are in order, you can count on Max to save the day!

Do you have a list of things to do every morning before school, but you get...distracted? Or maybe you're the only one with tennis balls on the feet of your chair and your teacher has to remind you to keep your sounds to yourself? Or maybe you like to listen to the way water sloshes in your stomach when you run down the hall, slo-mo, after the water fountain?

That always happens sometimes to Max in this warm, hilarious picture book that humorously chronicles the pitfalls and celebrates the successes of a very familiar kid...one who may not be the most compliant or organized but who is full of energy, creativity, and kindness.

Genres: Picture Books, School, Childrens, Humor, Disability, Realistic Fiction, Fiction

42 pages, Library Binding

Published July 2, 2024

Reviews

[Bookishrealm · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wasn’t a huge fan of the storytelling. Some of it felt disjointed, but it is an interesting look at what a school day may look like for a kid that is coded as being neurodiverse.

[Kurt Neumaier · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have a soft spot in my heart for the chaos children that I know/have taught and this book is a beautiful celebration of them <3

[Neha Thakkar · Rating 5 out of 5]

A new addition to my back to school read alouds! Delightful with a great neurodiverse kid voice about how sometimes, you get distracted, you break things, you think differently, but finding your strength makes every day better!

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This captures the day of a fidgety, possibly neurodivergent, child. He needs tennis balls on his chair to keep the noise down, he has a list of tasks he needs to accomplish, but gets distracted, thoughts swirl through his head, he likes to talk like a robot. Yet, he continues to be himself until a class project shows him other kids who understand him and how the way his brain works is a unique asset.

Very charming illustrations.

[Caroline · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a total win for me, funny and empathetic and incredibly realistic -- all at once.

[Connie T. · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this picture book, Max, a school-aged boy, is sometimes distracted, sometimes disorganized, and sometimes forgetful, but he always tries his best.

I thought this book was going to be about getting frustrated when minor mishaps plague your day but instead the focus is on the daily struggles of being neurosurgery. A great book as either a mirror or window.

[Mandy Robek · Rating 5 out of 5]

Things go wrong and some days it feels like it’s a lot. Then some team building challenge success can change those earlier feelings.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one is a 3.5 for me. Although this picture book's illustrations, created with watercolor, ink, and pencil, are too stark and sketchy for older eyes, they will have high appeal for their intended young audience, especially since they seem so similar to the drawings seen in many comic strips and graphic novels. Adding to the book's appeal is its protagonist, Max who is easily distracted, has lists to help him stay on track (but lists he forgets to look at closely), sometimes speaks like a robot, and has a very active brain that fills with creative but not always relevant thoughts. Plenty of readers will see themselves in Max, and more than a handful of teachers, including this one, will recognize some of their students, past and present in this irrepressible but admittedly annoying boy. (You know the type--the one who simply cannot stop making squeaky noises with his chair or can't sit still for more than five seconds.) But oh, how much cleverness, creativity, and ability to think outside the box Max possesses, something that comes in handy during a group project involving building a tower out of index cards. The resulting tower, revealed in a page flap that lifts up vertically to show just how massive it is, may elicit gasps from youngsters as well as a renewed appreciation for Max in all his quirky, original way of thinking and his Max-ness. While the ending is a bit abrupt, readers will be pleased that Max seems to be finding his way without changing a thing about himself, a message that is so important today. One of the aspects of the illustrations that pleased me was the different perspectives shown with one image focusing on the hole in a blue paper, another showing Max from behind, from the waist and butt down, sitting in his assigned seat with tennis balls on the chair legs, while still another one shows the concentration on the faces of his other group members. While plenty of things go terribly wrong for Max, sometimes things go perfectly right.

[Meredith · Rating 2 out of 5]

A child who deeply struggles with ordinary social expectations and interactions holds the key to successfully completing a group project.

I appreciated what this picture book was trying to do. It is trying to show that everyone has talents, skills, and abilities even it they are not apparent. The main character Max displays signs of having a neurological developmental disability. He cannot stay on task, is easiest distracted, is unable to manage stimulus-independent thoughts and task-unrelated thoughts, has difficulty with social interactions, cannot keep track of his possessions, has difficult with fine motor skills, et cetera ... And he surprises his group members when he has the idea that enables them to create the tallest tower in the class build-a tower-activity.

Yes, Max had a really good day, but I couldn't help thinking about all his other days. As a parent, it hurt to watch the main character struggle so much. He is a child who would obviously benefit from a school aide to give him one-on-one assistance and help keep him on task, behavioral therapy such social scripting and enhanced daily routine charts, and possibly psychiatric medication.

[Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Max is one of those kids who truly tries to do what he should but way too often he gets distracted or forgets or his big energy takes over and life gets complicated. "Have you ever colored so hard it made a hole in the paper," asks Max. Or maybe he starts sharpening a crayon and can't stop or his chair makes noises he didn't hear but his teacher did? "Sometimes that always happens."

Super high energy, distractable kids will identify with Max on sight as will teachers, parents and kids who share space with the Maxes in our lives. Kiley Frank nails Max's explanations of the disasters that follow him but also reminds us that Max is a kid who can get it right a lot of the time.

K-Fai Steele's cartoon style illustrations bring Max and his world to vivid life and add both to the humor and the heart of this charming picture book. A great read for a classroom story time.

[Carol Kennedy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This reviewer had to read the book several times to fully appreciate it. It is the story of a child's school day -- a child who is disorganized, perhaps on the spectrum, one who "marches to a different beat" -- told from his point of view. Max is distractible, often has trouble completing tasks, sometimes has trouble refraining from rocking his chair, or making little noises during class. However, he thinks very creatively, and is able to do interesting things when he and two other children are put in a group and tasked with solving a problem. The illustrations are a bit messy -- but then again, so is Max -- and humorous.
This book may appeal to kids who feel they are a little "different" ... it won't win any prizes but it is filled with good feelings and may be just the ticket for many children who feel that difficult "always happen sometimes" to them!

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Shows all the random things kids do and think in one day. I was into it until the random math like STEM lesson bit where the kids build a pyramid in class. I think it was to show that he was able to concentrate sometimes, but it felt out of context with the rest of the random things. Like a separate story plunked down in the middle of the other story. But I do think some kids will get a kick of the random thoughts Max has, and be able to relate and say "I do think/do that sometimes, always too!"

[Read Ribbet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kiley Frank tells a story about a child most of us know called Max. Max has a busy brain and it causes him to be distracted and forgetful. She tells about a day filled things that always happen sometimes that most readers will be able to relate to, Steel captures the frustrations of the day with humor filled illustrations. In the end, we learn that even that person who is always a little bit off can have really good ideas. It is a good book to add to a classroom collection to remind readers that we can be different, but we can still have good ideas.

[Kiera Beddes · Rating 3 out of 5]

Max is just a regular kid who is sometimes (or always) messy, distracted, or forgetful. This book follows Max as he goes about his day at school, a humorous celebration of neurodivergence and the awkwardness of childhood.

I liked this book, but I didn’t love it. I didn’t love the illustrations, although it did accurately capture the messy, chaotic nature of Max’s brain. I do think it would be valuable to have in a classroom library because of the neurodivergent representation, and the social-emotional value of the story as Max makes connections with his peers and teacher.

[Terresa Wellborn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This picture book is a new favorite. Max is a curious, energetic kid who has a busy brain. I appreciate this book for its inclusiveness of differently abled kids as well as for its humor and silly, googly-eyed illustrations. Max's robot voice, his teacher's kind wink, and his many and various sweatshirts are just so relatable. The sticker buddies and marker mustache made me laugh out loud. Read this, share this, and enjoy.

Themes: differently abled, humor
Ages: 2-4th grade+
Pub year: 2024

[Abbigail · Rating 4 out of 5]

With the right audience this would be a fantastic read aloud: robot voices, the tone of the kid throughout this book. The main problem for me is that I don't know where it is going the entire time; it's just all over the place, and I want it to be just as silly and ridiculous and relatable while also going somewhere. Because it's not really going anywhere I feel like it would be hard to incorporate into a storytime.

[Patricia N. McLaughlin · Rating 3 out of 5]

A boy with neurodivergent tendencies chronicles the challenges of a typical school day with all its mishaps and misunderstandings until his ability to think outside the box helps his small group accomplish a big task and finally earn himself some positive attention. Though text heavy, the story presents a realistic portrait of a special needs child and the difficulties he faces in a mainstream classroom. Cartoonish illustrations add touches of welcome humor that keep the book upbeat.

[Carrie Kruck · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the front flap: "Have you ever wondered if your brain is just an idea factory (with no off switch and questionable quality control)?" That's Max, our incredibly endearing main character who notices so much and tries so hard and expresses himself in a way that is uniquely his own. There's much to relate to and so much to love about this kid, and the voice and illustrations are just perfect. Love it!

[Emily Dean · Rating 5 out of 5]

Storytime LOVED this book, this is one of those books that as soon as read it, it will be checked out. The parents loved this book and so did the kids. It has everything. Clear goofy pictures, a hilarious story and a truly heartwarming ending. I loved how with almost every page, there was some new sensory description given that really kept the kids interested. Everyone could especially relate to the blue marker nose

[Uwakmfon John · Rating 4 out of 5]

Max is just like any other kid, or even some adults whose brains is always buzzing, full of distractions, surprises, and small wins. I loved how the book celebrates his energy instead of trying to fix everything. This would be a good read in a classroom or with a kid who sometimes gets distracted or makes a mess. They will see themselves in Max, and maybe your kid who doesn’t do those things will get a peek into what life is like for someone who is wired differently.

[Aolund · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was fantastic. A fun and compelling story about one kid's day at school and how they save the day through creative thinking, even though they sometimes have trouble remaining focused/organized/following the rules, etc.

Themes: Creativity, Be Yourself, Neurodiversity, School
Age range: Kindergarten-Early Elementary

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

As an adult with ADHD, I can say I have never felt more seen than when I read this book!

As an educator, I also think this is a brilliant book that every educator should read to help provide insight and perspective into the neurodivergent children they teach and serve. It does all of this in a nonpreachy way but with great clarity!

[Debra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Making friends is hard. Keeping your body calm, quiet, and small while being a kid with lots of energy is also hard. This story will exemplify both and show that in classes, all students matter. One day you just may be the student with the best idea during a STEM challenge.


Not to adults: the pull out is amazing, but could be a bit of a hazard for checking out the book from a library.

[Brittany · Rating 2 out of 5]

Although it is not clearly stated to the reader, you can see that our main character struggles with some sort of disability. This felt like a story that could have went so much deeper, yet it only scratched the surface. I didn't love the watercolor/ink illustrations, they just felt very flat. Not inviting or eye catching to a young reader. (Diamond 25-26)

[Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

Things don't always go the way Max hopes. Like do you ever miss your school bus because you were paying more attention to something happening outside your window? That always happens to Max sometimes. Being an energetic, disorganized, creative kid can both cause problems AND help him solve problems. I think many kids will relate to Max.

[Angela De Groot · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hilarious but at the same time poignant and heartwarming. Max is a very busy bee, his head full to bursting with thoughts and ideas. But he always tries his best. It’s just that he gets distracted or forgetful or silly - that always happens sometimes.

[Elisabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love how genuine every incident in this book is. And I love that we see how spectacular Max's gifts are, along with the 'disruptions' that everyone else sees. The text reflects a kid's casual way of speaking and the run-on sentences that these kids often have because their brain goes faster than they can breathe and say things.

It needed a better font. But that can be overlooked for such a good book.

Buy a copy for every teacher you know! They know this kid.

[Bethe · Rating 3 out of 5]

Max is a little frantic at times, but always full of kindness and curiosity. A full of life kid and his school day. I’m just fair in this illustrator’s style for people, like her animal pictures better.

[Maureen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm glad I got this out of the library again, after returning it unread because I was not in the mood.
Many children/parents will resonate with this book, but I hope that parents who do not have this behavior in their children will have more understanding for the children that do.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Max is impulsive and has a lot of energy. He gets into trouble. But he can also do some things right. Many children will see themselves, or will see their intense classmates in the descriptions of Max. How can he live with his tendencies? How can those around him cope?
SEL tie-ins.