Max, a Little Axolotl #1

Max, a Little Axolotl #1

by Joey Spiotto

Meet Max, a Little Axolotl! He's new to school and just a little bit shy, but he's already making waves. This graphic novel is perfect for fans of Narwhal and Jelly!



It's Max's first day at Coral Elementary school. The school is filled with marine animals, like dolphins, crabs, and octopus. But none of the other students have ever seen an axolotl before... and they have SO MANY QUESTIONS. Where did Max live before? Is it true he can regrow any of his limbs? What happened to his old friends? This is too much attention for Max! Hiccup! Uh-oh... Max gets the hiccups when he's nervous. Can this little axolotl adjust to his new underwater school or will the pressure just be too much? Join Max in this silly and sweet, graphic novel that's perfect for kids 7 and up!

Genres: Graphic Novels, Comics, Animals, Childrens, Friendship, Fiction, Juvenile

128 pages, Paperback

First published September 2, 2025

About the author

Joey Spiotto is the author and illustrator of Grumpy Unicorn as well as Alien Next Door and Firefly: Back from the Black. He has created artwork for numerous clients including Disney, LucasFilm, Marvel, Microsoft, Rare, Loot Crate, and more. Joey is a regularly featured artist at Gallery 1988 in Los Angeles where he’s had several solo exhibitions. He’s worked as a concept artist in the film and video game industry on such titles as The Polar Express for Warner Bros. and Dead Space and The Sims for Electronic Arts. He lives in Southern California with his wife and two sons.

(source: Amazon)

Reviews

[Mandy | bookiesncreme · Rating 4 out of 5]

Axolotls are in right now and I’m living for it. My 5 year old picked this book out at her Scholastic school book fair. I read it to her and we loved it. This was such a cute graphic novel about friendship, with mythology and facts about axolotl’s sprinkled in!! My daughter loved learning real information about axolotls just as much as she loved the story. Would recommend to middle grade students who like graphic novels, nonfiction, axolotls, mythology, and sea creatures.

[Lindsay · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'll always like a book about making friends.

[Kara Guthrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

a fun story about Max, a tiny axolotl who goes on big adventures under the water. Max is curious and brave, even when things don’t go as planned. I liked how the story showed that it’s okay to be different and that trying new things can lead to exciting discoveries. The pictures are bright in color and full of action, which makes it really fun to read. This book teaches kids to be kind, brave, and proud of who they are.

[Ashley Urquhart · Rating 4 out of 5]

Simple, but cute. I liked the through line of being the new kid to welcoming the new kid. And it was cool to learn some Axolotl facts as well.

Note: Thanks to Scholastic for providing a finished copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Olivia]

See my full review here: https://yabookscentral.com/max-a-litt...

MAX, A LITTLE AXOLOTL is a charming graphic novel about feeling new and learning about your history. Max was quite happy in the pond where he was born until it was torn apart by developers. Luckily, he was saved by conservators who brought him to an aquarium. There, he feels a bit wary, especially with a new school and new people to meet. However, everyone is very welcoming, and when he meets the monster, he learns there is already an older axolotl there, who helps to teach him about axolotls and their history.

What I loved: This is such a sweet and relatable graphic novel for anyone who has ever had a new school or found new friends. The experience Max has is juxtaposed with the experience that Tecu had (that led to him becoming the Water Monster). The book encourages the reader to think about the impact of their actions on others through these stories. Additionally, there are lots of fun educational facts about axolotls and their mythologies throughout the book! Themes of heritage and cheating are also strong in the story.

As a graphic novel, this does a great job of balancing text with illustrations. It is easy to follow the panels and the speech bubbles are easily attributable. The expressive characters and reliance on images to tell the story make this a big win for early independent readers. The use of color and charming characters will work well for young middle grade readers as well as older ones.

Final verdict: MAX, A LITTLE AXOLOTL is a charming middle grade graphic novel with a compelling and relatable story, fun characters, and strong themes. Highly recommend picking this one up!

Please note that I received an ARC. All opinions are my own.

[Melanie Dulaney · Rating 3 out of 5]

An early graphic novel for grades k-3, Joey Spiotto’s book is a sweet story about Max, an axolotl, removed from his Mexican lake home when development endangers his life. While being safe in an aquarium is great it also means getting used to a new place. Max finds himself at school with Mrs Tortuga for a teacher and Sheila and Milo, a snail and a turtle, showing him around and asking him to play kickball. A wayward kick sends the ball into a cave inhabited by the notorious Water Monster who is known to have eaten a classmate. Further investigation by Max reveals Shrimpy, alive and well, being a companion to the water monster who turns out to be an older axolotl. Both are invited to join the join the school community.

Spiotto’s drawings are wonderful and young ones will love browsing them and even if they are non-readers, the story is very clear. Independent readers will enjoy both the simple text and the illustrations. The messages of friendship, adjusting to new places and working together to create an inviting community come through loud and clear without feeling preachy. There are a few axolotl facts mixed in, but this is a primarily a book for entertainment rather than acquiring new knowledge about the adorable creature from Mexico.

Thanks for the eARC, Graphix/Scholastic.

[Roben · Rating 4 out of 5]

Meet Max. Max is a young axolotl and this is his story. Originally Max lived in Lake Xochimilco. That is where all axolotls live. And which is why it is designated an environmentally protected area, since axoltls are endangered. But in our story, workers showed up to build houses on the shore of the lake, even though that was not permitted. So a nice environmentalist arranges for Max to be moved to an Aquarium. Once there, Max goes to school where he initially believes he is the only axolotl. But when he accidentally kicks a ball into a cave, it leads Max on an adventure to learn more about axolotls and solve mysteries.
This book is full of fascinating facts about axolotls - I know I learned a lot! Axolotls are pretty amazing critters. In addition it is built on an engaging story of shy Max gaining new friends and plenty of confidence. This is the first in a series - as the story ends, another new axolotl is arriving at the Aquarium.

[Gabriel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you so much to Scholastic for a copy of this book in exchange for a review! I absolutely adored this story! It's short but sweet and perfect for readers both young and old. It can teach readers about axolotls which are so very interesting and there's also great messages about community, found family, friendships, and the message that change can be scary, but it can also be a really great thing. I loved the adorable illustrations which were so bright and colorful and added even more joy to this wonderful story! I learned new facts about these cool creatures and I know so many readers will enjoy Max's delightful journey!

[Rosanne V · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quick, fun read

I purchased this because my son and I have been raising 2 albino axolotls since 2022.

The illustrations are very cute and well done. The story includes a few characters and even though it's so short, there is clear character development.

I would recommend this for children under the age of 8 to be read to. With repetition, they will easily be able to read this book (apart from those with reading challenges).

My 12 year old read it through in one sitting and added his own unique reading style to it which was really funny.

I wouldn't recommend reading this on a small screen as the font is small.

[Lauraleigh · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great graphic novel for 2nd-5th graders who love axolotls. It not only can help kids who are experiencing being new, or having anxieties, but it also teaches them amazing facts about the axolotls as animals.
The characters Joey has created are so cute and open. I truly enjoyed how open they were to both new experiences and new people. If you have a kid who loves Axolotls, this is a great book for them!

[Alicia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Friendship underwater as Max, taken from his home in Mexico's lake to live in an aquarium, he's now at school and has to face off against a creature in the cave (who ends up being just like him and a favorite student from back then) and realizes just who is is as an axolotl.

It's adorably illustrated and a new series that will be fun to follow.

[Dolores · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Max's home is threatened, he is moved to an aquarium for safety. But Max is shy and finds change difficult. Will Max find a way to be comfortable in his new home and with his new friends? Really cute and fact-filled story.

[Ms. Yingling · Rating 3 out of 5]

ARC provided by Scholastic

This early graphic novel offers an amusing look at Max, who is trying to find his place in the world after leaving his endangered habitat. This was a good mix of story and factual information about axolotls.

[cassidy Fussell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was super cute! My daughter got It from the book fair and asked me to read It to her this morning, It was a very easy read and also super informative. I highly recommend this book for children who are reading beginners or any child who loves axolotls!

[Ellon · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars (I liked it)

I wanted to like this more than I did. Max is adorable but the story just didn't really do it for me. There was a nice message about making friends and including others but I almost feel like the axolotl facts somewhat took away from the plot.

[Abby Carothers · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a cute way to discuss the fears of starting school. It covers first day jitters, making friends and being different. Its fun and entertaining and teaches kids all the important things about starting schools.

[Raven Black · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute story about coming out of your comfort zone, friendship and even a little bit about axolotls. Read via an online reader copy

[Steph · Rating 4 out of 5]

These graphic novel illustrations are so cute!

[Jaymie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute and informative!

[Keri · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was sooooo cute and a fun way for kids to learn about axolotls.

[Gabrielle Belisle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very cute graphic novel for younger readers.

[Karla Dee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Learned something new from this book about axolotls being endangered in the wild. I would like to own a black one one day tbh.

[Kara · Rating 5 out of 5]

A brilliant mix of the fascinating nature of axolotls, and a school story so many children could relate to of starting somewhere new and being the "only one".

[Drew Dillenburg · Rating 3 out of 5]

Illustrations are good I think the story was a bit flat especially for kids.

[Vicky Vaughn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked this fun book. It's an interesting way to introduce creatures to the young children.

[Alice · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars
Cute book about an axolotl saved from humans and brought to an aquarium.

[R · Rating 5 out of 5]

So cute! Adorable artwork and story! I love the axolotl facts and pictures, too!

[Jgramley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Axolotls are very popular creatures and I love how the author adds in facts about them as Max, an axolotl, learns more about himself and being part of a larger community.

[Kristen · Rating 4 out of 5]

So cute! My son was excited to find out there is a second book on the way.

[Norah Leighton · Rating 3 out of 5]

cute pics but this was for much younger kids than i realised.