The Truth About Max

by Alice Provensen (Creator), Martin Provensen

A new, never-before-published original work from renowned children's book duo Alice and Martin Provensen, which invites into the mystery that is Max the cat!

In this picture book from the Provensens’ archives, the unforgettable Max, who appears in many of the Provensens' picture books, takes center stage. Wherever Max goes, mischief is sure to follow! He spends his days teasing, playing hide-and-seek, and prowling the barnyard. He’s also keenly intelligent and independent, with his own private life that begins at night. An affectionate portrait of a pet who’s both friend and hunter, from a luminary author-illustrator pair of American children’s literature.

Taking inspiration from their own life at Maple Hill Farm in Dutchess County, New York, great American illustrators Alice and Martin Provensen shared the changing seasons that give rhythm to life in the country in A Year at Maple Hill Farm and the lovable antics of their barnyard animals in Our Animal Friends at Maple Hill Farm. This picture book will include backmatter from Karen Provensen, with more information of Max, the real-life cat who lived on Maple Hill Farm, and her parents' lasting legacy.

Genres: Picture Books, Animals, Cats, Childrens, Memoir, Storytime, Art

40 pages, Hardcover

Published February 28, 2023

About the author

Alice Provensen collaborated with her late husband, Martin, on numerous highly acclaimed picture books, including the Caldecott Medal-winning The Glorious Flight and Nancy Willard's Newbery Medal-winning A Visit to William Blake's Inn, which was also a Caldecott Honor Book. The Provensens have been on the New York Times list of the Ten Best Illustrated Books eight times.

Reviews

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very well depicted cattitude!

[Vincent Desjardins · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have long been a fan of the late Alice and Martin Provensen so I was delighted to discover they have a new book out based on a previously unpublished, but fully illustrated book dummy. "The Truth About Max" is based on one of their own cats who was born and raised on Maple Hill Farm where the Provensens lived, worked and raised their family. One of the great things about this book, besides the charming illustrations is that the cat is never anthropomorphized, he is allowed to behave like a real cat. And like a real cat, he is allowed to have an aura of mystery about him. A charming read aloud that gives children a glimpse of life on a farm through the eyes of a cat.

[Emily · Rating 2 out of 5]

What a very strange story of a cat...

[Peacegal · Rating 4 out of 5]

This delightfully-illustrated book seemed as if it was from an earlier time, and it was--it's an unpublished work the authors created during their lifetimes that has been re-discovered.

Max looks very self-satisfied on the cover with his big Cheshire grin--and that he is! He's an extra-large cat with a personality to match. The story of the mischievous kitten who ate and grew will likely bring to mind readers' own pets and their unique traits. I truly enjoyed the images of Max cavorting throughout the pages.

Humane families note: There is a reference to Max leaving the baby chickens alone because "they are for our [the humans'] lunch," not his. Max's story also represents a different time regarding standards of pet ownership. Max is allowed to roam and he disappears into the forest every night. Seeing as his mom wasn't spayed, it's likely Max was also an unaltered, roaming cat (but this isn't mentioned)--a choice now seen as irresponsible.

[Roben · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the biography of a cat named Max. He was born on Maple Hill Farm and was unique from the beginning - because he was the only kitten in his litter! Maple Hill Farm is a real place and Max was a real cat. His family was named Provensen - and the adults in the family illustrated books for children. Alice, their daughter, decided to write a book all about Max and life on the farm. Max had quite a personality! He was always hungry - and so he was a very large cat. But there is always a bit of mystery about animals. We don't really know what they think or exactly how they feel. Or even what they do when they are not with us. Alice includes a note at the back of the book - with photographs - to help explain more about her life with Max. The book is a lovely homage to her parents and - of course - to Max.

[Julie Stielstra · Rating 5 out of 5]

A truly beautiful, charming book. Newly released from a set of unpublished dummy pages by the celebrated illustrators Alice and Martin Provenson, it’s a character sketch of the farm cat Max, a singleton kitten who grows up to taunt other cats, smile at the horse, torment the dog, chase the chickens, and who LOVES to help make the bed. The ink and watercolor pictures are riotous, funny, and display Max in all his moods, and his lovely farm in all its glories of trees and grasses and the evening sky…when Max’s “real life” begins. The final image brought a tear of wonder to this reader’s eye, evoking my own rambunctious, complicated, serious and mischievous rural tabby cat. I cherish this little book.

[Kat · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was more of a love letter to and description to the Provensen’s old cat, Max, than it was a story with an arc. I still enjoyed it immensely for the lovely illustrations, which I think did a great job of capturing Max’s mischievous spirit and reminded me a lot of my own troublemaker cat. I also really enjoyed the bit at the end where their daughter, Karen, included some backstory and pictures about the real Max, her parents, and Maple Hill Farm, where they all lived. I like that it felt like I got a taste of their life. I’m a huge fan of the Provensen’s art style and am looking forward to exploring more of their books.

[Christie Kaaland · Rating 4 out of 5]

The great team of Alice and Martin Provensen Bring you the hilarious, delightful story of their farm cat, Max. Max is a cat with a mind of his own. He was as much trouble as a cat can be and always hungry. The humorous hunting techniques as he wanders the farm in search of trouble/adventure. The beautiful pastel autumnal palette carefully weaves a story of endearment to the Provensens' favorite cat Max.

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 A posthumously unpublished story by Alice and Martin Provensen about their cat Max who lived with the family on Maple Hill Farm. Max was born on the farm. He had no siblings, but from the beginning he was a handful, full of energy and mischief. This book is more of an homage to Max rather than a story, but fans of the Provensens will find much to appreciate. Don't miss the letter to readers by the Provensens' daughter. A lovely book that will be enjoyed by cat lovers!

[Travis · Rating 3 out of 5]

A charming little book, albeit a bit unpolished and with an unexpectedly mysterious and unsettled conclusion.

The various Maple Hill Farm books were a touchstone of my childhood and I was reminded of them recently when a few passed through my library. Idle curiosity led me to poke about the catalog for related books and I was surprised to find a newly published one. I found it enjoyable reading the notes about the book's origin and related information.

[Cara Byrne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sometimes beloved pets pass away and sometimes they leave a house and never come back and one is left to wonder what kind of adventures they are on. Such is the case of Max, who is a hungry, wily, and precocious cat who leaves his family's farm after making a big imprint on their lives. The majority of the book is about Max, but the ending and the back matter all meditate on Max's mysterious end (or beginning).

[Kelly]

This book was ok. I'm not a big fan of cursive text for readability issues, but it's still pretty readable, just maybe not for storytime. I like that it's based on a real cat/real people. I think the creators were going old school with the cursive and the undies which is fine but maybe not great for kids nowadays.

[Beverly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a picture book especially for cat lovers. Apparently never published in the lifetimes of Alice and Martin, their daughter was able to get it published from a dummy. Although the Provensens are not my favorite illustrators, these are appealing watercolor illustrations of Max's adventures at Maple Hill Farm.

[Hans · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rule 1: You do not talk about the truth about Max.
Rule 2: You do NOT talk about the truth about Max.

(eh...I probably could try to continue that, but I'll leave it there rather than fitting a different rule with the room full of squirrel tails. Oh, that Max!)

Holiday book shopping started. Paired the new book with a classic Maple Hill Farm book.

[Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Posthumously published by the renown team of Alice and Martin Provensen with an After word by their daughter Karen. Wonderful illustrations celebrate the life of the Provensen's own cat Max.

Interesting in that this is not sentimental and although humorous is clearly reflective of the true nature of cats as the predators they are. Having had a "Max" in our lives, I found this endearing.

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

Featuring the Provensens’ signature artwork, this story describes the life of Max the Cat and some of his characteristic antics that endeared him to his people. End pages describe Max as a beloved member of the Provensen family and an important part of Maple Hill Farm, where the artists made their home.

[Tina Hoggatt · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Provensons can do no wrong in my book. One glance at the cover tells you that you are in enchanting hands and once you begin to learn about Max the particularity of this one cat is clear. I love the afterward by the Provensons' daughter - it is a beautiful look into their lives and way of thinking.

[Andrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

Max was a most unusual kitten-- the only one in his litter, in fact! See what this rambunctious and curious cat gets up to in his everyday adventures on the farm in The Truth About Max, a charming and gorgeously illustrated book based on a real farm cat.

[Deb · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed the story and illustrations; however, what I loved was the author/illustrator's note to the reader. Thanks so much to them for sharing their personal story. My parents also loved their land (Century Farm) and cared for it.

[Clarissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful picture book about Max a cat who belonged to the writer illustrator duo Alice and Martin Provensen. This book has wonderful illustrations and a delightful afterward by the daughter of the writer/artist team who wrote the book. If you love cats don't miss this book!

[Melanie Hetrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Truth About Max, a dummy book found after the Provensen's passed away, is a story of a farm cat who grew to be quite the character. The Provensen's signature watercolor illustrations are beautiful, as always.

Children will enjoy this story of a trouble-maker cat. Recommended for storytime.

[Liesl · Rating 3 out of 5]

Images: 3 stars
Story: 3 stars

Reading this book and seeing the images and names of the animals brought back memories of reading other Maple Hill Farm books. Would be fun for those who have read others in the series.

[Zan Porter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wherever Max goes, mischief is sure to follow! He spends his days teasing, playing hide-and-seek, and prowling the barnyard. He’s also keenly intelligent and independent, with his own private life that begins at night. An affectionate portrait of a pet who’s both friend and hunter."--

[Anne with Violets · Rating 4 out of 5]

A tribute to Max, the cat with whom the author (and her mom?) grew up, which is also a tribute to her own childhood. A lovely picture book that doesn't do much more than you'd expect, but is adorable nonetheless.

[Hanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought that this book was fun and playful. Based on the style of art on the cover, I had assumed that it was a very old book…but it was actually published in 2023! I liked how there was a single line of text on the bottom of the pages and a HUGE illustration. All about a very special cat Max.

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

wonderful and charming children's book about a cat with a lot of personality! . this book is perfect for pre-K to early elementary School age children to practice reading with their parents/grandparents/guardians.

[charlene.librarian · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a lovely story from the Provensens to let us all know about Max! The note to Dear Reader and photos at the end of the book are quite dear since we get to see a bit of Maple Hill Farm and learn more about life on the farm. Thanks to Karen Provensen Mitchell for sharing these details.

[Andréa]

Note: I accessed a digital review copy of this book from the publisher through Edelweiss.

[Juli Anna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not my favorite of the Provensens' work, but still quite charming.

[Lynn Hardesty · Rating 4 out of 5]

How have I never heard of Alice and Martin Provensen? This is a cute story about the family cat that reminds me on my own Colonel Mustard, our own male tabby.