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Mighty Max
All Max wants to do is fly . . . and climb . . . and be a hero. But when he tries to do something heroic, his mom and dad prefer him to sit still and be quiet. When will Max get his chance to shine? Mighty Max captures that phase when many little boys want to be big and strong like superheroes. Elliot Kreloff's crayon illustrations give a winning personality to Max and his imaginary world.
36 pages, Hardcover
First published September 17, 2008
26 people want to read
About the author
Harriet Ziefert
683 books54 followersHarriet Ziefert grew up in North Bergen, New Jersey, where she attended the local schools. She graduated from Smith College, then received a Masters degree in Education from New York University.
For many years, Ziefert was an elementary school teacher. She taught most grades from kindergarten to fifth grade. "I liked it," she said, but she stopped teaching when she had her own sons. When her children were older, Ziefert wanted "a bigger arena" for her work. She went to work at a publishing company, Scholastic in New York City, developing materials for teacher's guides for kindergarten language arts and social studies programs.
"About twelve years ago," says Ziefert in a 1995 interview, "I tried to get a job as an editor, but no one would hire me as a trade editor. So I decided to write my own books." Since then, she has written several hundred books, mostly picture books and easy-to-read books. "I write books very quickly," she says, "in about twelve hours. I rewrite them three times over three days, and then they're done." She writes about twenty books a year.
For many years, Ziefert was an elementary school teacher. She taught most grades from kindergarten to fifth grade. "I liked it," she said, but she stopped teaching when she had her own sons. When her children were older, Ziefert wanted "a bigger arena" for her work. She went to work at a publishing company, Scholastic in New York City, developing materials for teacher's guides for kindergarten language arts and social studies programs.
"About twelve years ago," says Ziefert in a 1995 interview, "I tried to get a job as an editor, but no one would hire me as a trade editor. So I decided to write my own books." Since then, she has written several hundred books, mostly picture books and easy-to-read books. "I write books very quickly," she says, "in about twelve hours. I rewrite them three times over three days, and then they're done." She writes about twenty books a year.
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
December 18, 2008
In his flowing red cape, Max is eager to be a super hero who saves the day. Max's father wants him to sit down and just be calm for a bit. Max tries, he sits for awhile, but is always up and moving again with a new imaginary game to play. When he and his father head to the beach, Max finds plenty of ways to be Mighty Max and help out at the same time. But, he is still moving fast and imagining big.
The fast pace of this book perfectly captures the race and movement of a small boy with a big imagination. His inability to sit still is seen as something wonderful though sometimes exasperating. I love the pairing of a fast-paced child and imagination, because I think that is something that is often overlooked. I have a child who moves when speaking, runs when thinking, and races when pretending. I see him in Max and Max in him so clearly.
Kreloff's illustrations further the connection between the book and children with their child-like think crayon lines. They are also stylish at the same time, creating a book that is accessible for children but doesn't lose itself to childishness.
Highly recommended as a readaloud for preschool groups, this is also a great book to read with your own fast-paced child. Humorous, fun and buoyant, this book will fly off the shelf even without its red cape. Appropriate for ages 3-6.
The fast pace of this book perfectly captures the race and movement of a small boy with a big imagination. His inability to sit still is seen as something wonderful though sometimes exasperating. I love the pairing of a fast-paced child and imagination, because I think that is something that is often overlooked. I have a child who moves when speaking, runs when thinking, and races when pretending. I see him in Max and Max in him so clearly.
Kreloff's illustrations further the connection between the book and children with their child-like think crayon lines. They are also stylish at the same time, creating a book that is accessible for children but doesn't lose itself to childishness.
Highly recommended as a readaloud for preschool groups, this is also a great book to read with your own fast-paced child. Humorous, fun and buoyant, this book will fly off the shelf even without its red cape. Appropriate for ages 3-6.
August 31, 2017
I expected more when the book ended. Yes, Max is an active little boy who saves his lunch from seagulls, but just climbing to a dune
spoiler alert....
and being called back by his dad was anti-climactic.
spoiler alert....
and being called back by his dad was anti-climactic.
December 19, 2023
Decent book, good for a read aloud for storytime. It was cute.
March 21, 2017
Young Maxwell likes pretending to be Superman despite his father's warnings. Working together with his dad and his dog Max has a "Super" fun and busy holiday at the beach.
August 26, 2018
Mighty Max / by Harriet Ziefert; drawings by Elliot Kreloff -- Maplewood, NJ : Blue Apple Books, c2008. (36 pages)
SUMMARY: Max wants to climb, jump, fly, and be the hero who saves the day. Max's dad wants him to calm down and be helpful (bookjacket)
REVIEW: Ok story about Maxwell who is your typical boy that wants to play hero while taking many risks. His father keeps yelling at him to stop before he hurts himself and to sit. Max obeys, but not for long because there is another opportunity for a superhero. The best part of the book is the childlike artwork that brought a smile to my face.
FORMAT: Done with mixed media with the people in vibrant crayon very similar to what a child would have drawn. The book has a weak binding that might not hold up to rough handling.
SUMMARY: Max wants to climb, jump, fly, and be the hero who saves the day. Max's dad wants him to calm down and be helpful (bookjacket)
REVIEW: Ok story about Maxwell who is your typical boy that wants to play hero while taking many risks. His father keeps yelling at him to stop before he hurts himself and to sit. Max obeys, but not for long because there is another opportunity for a superhero. The best part of the book is the childlike artwork that brought a smile to my face.
FORMAT: Done with mixed media with the people in vibrant crayon very similar to what a child would have drawn. The book has a weak binding that might not hold up to rough handling.
November 6, 2008
This is definitely one of my new favorite superhero picture books! And I must say that I am highly qualified to review superhero picture books because I am actually a superhero. At my house, I am Slime Girl (Note: I originally tried to be Love Lady who has the super power of love and defeats the villians with hugs and generosity, but my son finds this totally and completely unacceptable). Anyway, this is one fun book!
October 21, 2009
For those superhero obsessed kids but the storyline itself is kind of empty and I wouldn't want to be the parent of a kid who got a hold of this book b/c you won't hear the end of "But not for long!" The stick figure drawing style didn't grow on me; the overprotective and shouting parent who left his kid while he drove off to park the car did not help the book either.
March 26, 2011
Very cute book but I'm not a parent and even I was worried about Maxwell getting hurt. And what was up with the dad leaving little Max on the beach by himself while he drove off to park the car? Can we say child abduction? Ok...I guess I'm over thinking when it comes to a kids book. Was cute but not my favorite.
October 15, 2013
A nice story about a young boy "Max" ready for take off, to do superhero superhero things. Until, that reminder from a concerned dad to being cautious & careful. It's a story that the preschool students during storytime were able to relate the scenario of imaginative ambitious boy superhero vs. the very cautious parent.
March 22, 2009
Comical illustrations. Dad yelling "No, don't do that you're not a superhero" Child is free spirited and energetic. Add these together for a great combination. Having the main characters name be Maxwell (my son's name) is a bonus.
November 9, 2009
Both the 3 and the almost 6 year old like this one. I find the illustration perspectives kind of distracting though. And the end is also problematic for me. It's good from the imagination/parental worry about safety angle.
April 12, 2011
Genre: Fiction, picture book
Very cute story of a young boy who believes he has super powers. While at the beach he discovers that he does have "super" powers and saves the day. The illustrations are colorful and simple and really help to convey the story.
Very cute story of a young boy who believes he has super powers. While at the beach he discovers that he does have "super" powers and saves the day. The illustrations are colorful and simple and really help to convey the story.
November 15, 2008
Silly but sooooo boy energy. Couldn't get it out of my mind. A tickle.
December 16, 2008
Reminiscent of NO, DAVID. Max has a hard time sitting still; he's too busy saving the day! Good for that superhero (or "superherio" as my daughter said) phase that almost all children go through.
March 12, 2009
Maxwell does many dangerous stunts pretending to be different characters and his dad always yells "Maxwell Sit Down" cute plots and boys will love. storytime hit.
July 1, 2009
Cute story about a little boy who can't sit still.
October 23, 2009
A fun story with cyte illustrations! perfect for an active preschool boy!
December 16, 2010
super heroes, playing pretend
January 21, 2010
I think my own little Maxwell might enjoy this tale of an adventuresome boy when he gets a bit older. I enjoyed the childish crayon and collage illustrations.
September 5, 2010
Fun story about a little boy who is a superhero in his own mind. Simple, somewhat crude illustrations are fun and add to the feel that this is the little boy's tale.
August 2, 2011
Its hard to be a superhero when your father thwarts all your efforts at greatness! Mighty Max must learn to work within his dads view of what is safe for his young superhero son.
June 19, 2015
Fun artwork of childlike crayon drawings with a few collage elements thrown in. Love that book features father and son bonding with no mom in sight! Max defines being a superhero as being helpful!
May 30, 2015
max believes he's a mighty superhero and never listens to his dad as he goes about his superhero day.
July 13, 2015
As Max imagines himself as the super hero--Mighty Max--while at the beach, he saves a game, a castle, and his lunch from some hungry gulls.
December 30, 2016
I am using this book for my superhero story time. It is about a little boy who believes he has super powers but is always being told to sit down. Which he does....but not for long.
November 24, 2008
Art, great.
Story, meh.
Story, meh.
February 19, 2009
I liked the draw-rings they are fun and happy. but that was about as far as it took me.
February 21, 2015
My grandson's name is Max. He loves this book!
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews