Goodnight Max

Max and Ruby

by Rosemary Wells

"Goodnight, Max," says Max's sister Ruby. But Max can't get comfortable. First he spills a glass of water. Then there are all those itchy cookie crumbs in his bed?and the moon shining through his window. Will poor Max ever fall asleep? Rosemary Wells 's beloved Max and Ruby are back in an irresistibly touchable book that is also a satisfying bedtime story. Toddlers won't be able to resist all the tactile elements--fourteen tempting things to touch, move, even smell--while a gently humorous story makes this the perfect book for bedtime, naptime, or anytime!

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens

16 pages, Board Book

First published June 1, 1998

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

[Mimi44 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Max can't sleep

[Marry H · Rating 4 out of 5]

B

[Edna Giesen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I chose this story because of its interactive features. These sensory features can help a child understand, focus, and come to love this book. This book can be relatable to kids who struggle to go to bed, serving as a good example to follow. Overall, the story, illustrations, and sensory interactive features makes this a great book for young children.

[Meredith · Rating 3 out of 5]

One thing after another keeps Max awake.

It’s bedtime, and Max is in rare form. First, he spills a glass of water. Then his second set of pajamas has crumbs in it. After that, it begins to rain. His third pair of pajamas has candy residue in the footies, so Max just takes off his pants. Now, the ticking of the alarm clock is keeping him awake, so he throws it out the window, which lets in a fly. Then Max discovers a smelly old sock as he tosses and turns, and the moon is shining too brightly for him to sleep. Finally, Ruby appears to swat the fly, change Max into a fourth set of pajamas, and tuck him in with a teddy bear. And Max finally falls asleep.

Young readers will enjoy the classic Max antics as well as the touch-and-feel sensory component. Caregivers will relate to the difficulty in getting children to go to sleep at bedtime.

[jacky · Rating 3 out of 5]

We have seen this cartoon episode of Max and Ruby. Actually, it is one of my least favorite TV episodes because Ruby is doing what a parent should be for the whole story. But, in book format, that is less of a focus. This book focuses on all the things preventing Max from sleeping, and Ruby is more in the background (rather than being interrupted in her own efforts to sleep). The interactive elements are fun because they are so unique to the story, such as blankets, curtains, and sticky spots.

[Penny McGill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having fun with some old picture books tonight. We learned a lot from Max and his bossy sister Ruby (including a reminder of how great jello can be if you add candies or fruit to it) and we have a lot to thank Rosemary Wells for. Ms. Wells books became all time favourites in our house and we enjoy a re-read now and again.

[Dolly · Rating 4 out of 5]

our girls love to hear this story about Max and his red rubber elephant.

[Christy · Rating 5 out of 5]

We read this book almost every night.

[Jaime · Rating 4 out of 5]

good bedtime story

[Dina · Rating 4 out of 5]

WE like to read good night books, since we read at bedtime. This one is neat, there are touchy feely pages, like sticky pajamas, a window that opens and shuts, a net for the fly swatter.

[Denise · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it... so cute and love the touchy feely parts of the book....adorable...

[Zaire Clinton · Rating 2 out of 5]

These books never seem to make sense to me but my 2-year old loves them.

[Kaethe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Max is mischievous, and invariably way too focused on whatever it is he shouldn't be. Ruby never learns. I love these silly bunnies.

[Christi · Rating 1 out of 5]

After the other M and R books we had checked out I didn't even bother with this one. Yuck.