Ooh-la-la: Max in Love

Max #2

by Maira Kalman

The high society of Paris is scrambling to wine and dine the wealthy and talented dog poet, Max, during his visit, but when Max sees the dalmation Crepes Suzette perform at the Crazy Wolf Nightclub, all he cares about is winning her love. Reprint.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Fiction, France, Dogs, Art, Romance

40 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1991

About the author

Maira Kalman was born in Tel Aviv and moved to New York with her family at the age of four. She has worked as a designer, author, illustrator and artist for more than thirty years without formal training. Her work is a narrative journal of her life and all its absurdities. She has written and illustrated twelve children's books including Ooh-la-la- Max in Love, What Pete Ate, and Swami on Rye. She often illustrates for The New Yorker magazine, and is well known for her collaboration with Rick Meyerowitz on the NewYorkistan cover in 2001. Recent projects include The Elements of Style (illustrated), and a monthly on-line column entitled Principles of Uncertainty for The New York Times.

She lives in New York and walks a lot.

(http://www.saulgallery.com)

Reviews

[Deb (Readerbuzz) Nance · Rating 5 out of 5]

Max, the affluent and highly-acclaimed dog poet, travels to Paris, and everyone is a-buzz, thrilled that Max is here.

But something is wrong. What is Max missing?

Maira Kalman. Love Maira Kalman.

[Abigail · Rating 3 out of 5]

Millionaire dog-poet Max Stravinsky returns in this follow-up to Max Makes a Million , having finally made his dream of visiting Paris a reality. Alternately narrated by Max and by Mimi (a French woman?), the tale follows our canine hero as he explores the city of love, seeing the sights and meeting many wonderful people and dogs. But there is a certain something he is missing - love itself. Will Max find romance...?

Like its predecessor, I found Ooh-la-la (Max in Love) quite entertaining, enjoying the oddball humor, poetic text, and detailed montage-style illustrations. The language Maira Kalman uses here is fun, and I can see storytellers making good use of the various voices and accents, when reading the story aloud. There's also quite a bit going on, visually speaking, so the young reader will have plenty to pore over. I particularly liked the scene in which the poems of the sidewalk poet that Max encounters are written on all of the objects depicted, making for an interesting side-project, while reading and perusing. Originally published in 1991, this second picture-book about Max and his adventures was just reprinted this year (2018) by the New York Review Children's Collection, and they have plans to reprint the two later titles in the series - Max in Hollywood, Baby and Swami on Rye: Max in India - later this year. Recommended to Maira Kalman fans, and to anyone who read and enjoyed the first story about Max and his quirky adventures.

[Kat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ah, Maira Kalman - we discovered the clever wit of Max early on in my child's adventures in bookland and didn't stop. The pictures are a treasure in themselves with happy color, eccentric details and hooty little visual puns or twists. My son even had the little Max dog doll with removable clothing and hat and even little writings in the inner pockets. He was so loved and still has all his sartorial details which is impressive since he traveled everywhere. (not unlike the well-traveled Max.) Such silly fun and very sophisticated, but this book exudes love and care. Anyone who has read Kalman knows how creative her books are and this one lives up to the standard of excellence. Drink a Yoo-hoo or some other silly drink and laugh yourself silly. A classic from another dimension that I wish existed more often.

[Jan Henry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just fun - the illustrations, the playing with words. Maira Kalman has such a distinct style that I notice her work immediately. She did a recent Inauguration piece in the NYTimes ... she bounces from one thing to another more than I do.

[Melly · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my favorite book of all time, hands-down.
It is probably what inspired me to study French literature, the most utilitarian academic specialization ever.
Too bad it wasn't called Ooh-la-la (Max in the IT Industry), I guess.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

We loved this book as a family - and my French improved. The illustrations are really rich and creative, and the language is so much fun.

[Tellulah Darling · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the absolute best kids books ever in my opinion. Witty, beautiful and something for both kids and parents who have to read it a million times. Can't recommend it enough.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can't even count how many times I've read this book. By far one of my favourite picture books. It's a charming, whimsical story. The rhyming and flow of the words made it such a delight to read aloud. Even though some of the puns went over my head as a child, the play on words made it fun to read later on as an adult. And the PICTURES! I can't say enough about the pictures. The details are incredible, and every time I read this book, I find something new or rediscover something I'd forgotten. It will definitely be a book that I read to my kids (if I ever have any).

A very creative story about a dog, Max, who travels to Paris to write about love. Highly recommended for children AND adults.

[Emilia P · Rating 5 out of 5]

OOH LA LA.
This is the best book of my childhood. I went and read Max makes a Million and Swami on Rye, a precursor and a follow-up, and while they were both very good, no book is as good as this book. Max sees poems written on Paris trees and streets and cars, the greater plot of the story communicated through some weirdo lady's phone call, his feelings of love swelling before he even finds the girl he must love. It is exuberant, eccentric, puzzling, and oddly adult. All of which is lovely for a curious child -- I think I had this book memorized once upon a time, and it pushed me along that path to be the strange strange weirdo I am today. Thanks, Maira. You are great.

[Melanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book makes me feel happy! I admit I owned it before having a child. It's just that great. Yes, the pictures are fabulous, and the story is fun. What I really love is the cadence of the prose that, when read aloud, can't help but give you a shot of vim. "I am Fritz from the Ritz, which I quit in a snit, when the chef in a fit, threw escargot on my chapeau, and hit my head, with a stale French bread. Now I am here, in this little hotel, run by the aromatic Madame Camembert." Picture reading that with a very bad French accent, and you get a hint of why this book is a delight.

[Ramon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome. I have alot of fun making the voices. My son (3yrs) showed no interest as I read it normally but when I switched the voices he wouldnt let me stop. I didnt know i'd like this book so much. Its fresh to def dooods!

[Tracy O · Rating 5 out of 5]

This woman is the coolest illustrator & kid's author ever. Again, though, Charlie, my son, is not digging her to the extent that I am. He gives this book two stars.

[Lu · Rating 1 out of 5]

The illustrations are horrible.
The storyline is trash.
And the book weirdly puts random French words in it like someone is pretending they know French
(by putting a French word here and there) but don't know French at all. It makes fun of the French accent as well. (ex: "ze", the tutor teaching this -putting a clothespin on your nose to speak in French and say non and ooh la la). "allo, zis eez Monsieur Max," I said Frenchily. ughhh...

By listing the words in order it will make it sound better than it is so let me give you a quote, "oh my hootchie kootchie poochie your hotty spotty body makes me tingle with joy." This is the best line in the whole book and it is pretty cringey.

If I could give less than a 1, I would.

---

These are the French words used:

Allo
oui
tout
mon dieu
sacre bleu
très intelligent
alors
soufflé
pâté
crème de la crème
bleu
bonjour monsieur
escargot
chapeau
hôtel
beret
au revoir
autobus
(ze) bouche
chien
baguette
debonnaire
moi
saucissons
quelle
excusez-moi
la pêche
idiote, imbecile, stupide
soup du jour
voila
raison d'etre
chic
couture
salut
olé
Fermez La porte
Fermez La Bouche
quelle nuit
triste
toujours l'amour

This French is on the title page:
Merci beaucoup
Je suis desolée mais
absolutement non
Mille fleurs
Cheri
Naturellement
Mon amour

The names of French characters are the same:
Jacques, Fif, Kiki, Loulou, Coco, Madame Camembert, Tarte Tatin, Fritz from the Ritz, Charlotte Russe, Louis L'Amour, Lula Fabula, Pierre Potpourri, Madame Peach Melba, Crepes Suzette, Sammy Lacroix.

Federico de potatoes (spanish guy)

The only thing I like about this book is the title page because of the shapes they make with the publishing information. I do not however like that she lives in NYC but on the title page she calls NYC “zat feelthy town”.

—-

Published by NYRB the New York review children’s collection – the New York review of books.

[Amy Layton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Remember how much I loved Max Makes a Million?  Well, I love this one even MORE because it has PARIS in it.  Max is now a famous poet, and hangs out with all the usual Montmartre artists.  But even now, after all of his struggles and strife, he desires one thing: love.  

Again, I love Kalman's art and her creativity and how she draws everything.  Words are transformed into la tour Eiffel, shapes, buildings, effectively becoming part of the art itself.  Her style is so unique, and I absolutely love it.  And besides, what's not to love about a sequel filled with dogs, poetry, Paris, and rhymes?  I'd highly recommend the Max series to anybody who loves children's literature and "High Culture"--this book will not disappoint!

Review cross-listed here!

[Tom · Rating 5 out of 5]

A visually and narratively sophisticated story about a dog, Max, finding love in the city of love, Paris. If a kid is lucky enough to have parents who can handle two different, alternating accounts being told by two different story tellers (Max and, presumably, Max's "owner") (without a narrator to tell us who is speaking or offers transition phrases, such as "meanwhile. . ."), and pictures (themselves rich in allusions) that indicate multiple, different actions occurring without a clear link among them, then that's a lucky kid with lucky parents.

[Pauline Weger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Saw the amazing Maira Kalman speak recently at the opening of the exhibit featuring her work at The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Art in Amherst, Massachusetts. She's as witty and wise and clever and talented as you would imagine from reading her many books. Picked up Ooh-la-la: Max in Love as a family gift since our adorable dog is named Max. We laughed out loud reading the story - and continue to recite the lines.

[Liva-Katrina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I simply l-o-v-e this book. Ok, Kalman's Paris here does have an allure of a cliché, nonetheless I did enjoy to read all about Max adventures and his burden of glory (what is fame without love?).
As many others, I have to confess that I read the whole book à la voix haute and with French accent!

[Theresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Un spectacle merveilleux!

[Patti · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book made me very happy. Just delightful.

[Caitlin Kramer · Rating 5 out of 5]

A childhood favorite... Full of culture, fun, a chance to do fun voices and accents, and whimsical illustrations... Engaging and entertaining.

[Polly Vous Francais · Rating 5 out of 5]

You must own this book if you love Paris!

[C · Rating 5 out of 5]

A love letter to Paris with whimsical illustrations and short poems by Maira Kalman. I loved this. It wouldn't be the easiest book to read aloud to children, but it's awfully cute.

[Nathan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Superbly surreal children's lit.

[Manny Villa]

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[Zoann · Rating 4 out of 5]

This might be the best one yet. The sly humor, the cultural references (many of which I'm sure I missed), the artwork--so detailed and humorous. Excellent.

[J. Blair Hartman III · Rating 4 out of 5]

haha- fun text- beautiful kalman paintings

[Frejola]

I wish I had read this to my kids when they were little…

[Kandice Buck · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is about a dog named Max. He is a dog poet who is from New York. Everyone is getting excited when they here that he is coming to Paris to explore. Max loves the beauty of Paris and finds it extremely fancy and entertaining. Max is confused and amused by the all sights that he saw. This is a good book to show children what Paris can be like. It is the view of Paris from Max the dog's eyes. It would be a good book to teach about the French culture and show the students some of the different ways of life they have in that country.

[Paul · Rating 4 out of 5]

Max takes on Paris (never been there) and eventually finds love. The verse needs to be read aloud...

I was awakened by a k-k-k-k-knocking at the door. In entered a long mustache followed by a man...

...and the imagery is equally energized.