Max and Ruby and Yoko, Oh My!

One of my favorite authors is Rosemary Wells. She is an American writer and illustrator well known for her Max and Ruby series.  This series follows the everyday adventures of bunny siblings, curious 3 year old Max and bossy 7 year old Ruby. She also has several other series including, stories about Yoko, a Japanese kitten who faces many obstacles in her quest to fit in and Sophie, a 2 year old mouse.. With Sophie, Rosemary Wells captures a quintessential part of childhood--the terrible twos.

Ms. Wells has stated that she uses animals as characters because it allows her to " address sophisticated , controversial topics in ways children can understand and adults can accept."

The book YOKO tackles racism. It is about a young Japanese kitten who is ostracized when she brings sushi in her school lunch. She gains acceptance by hosting a school luncheon where everyone brings food native to their family. Everyone agrees that trying other foods has its advantages and learns that liking different things doesn't make someone wrong!

In Bunny Cakes Max is determined to help Ruby bake an angel surprise cake for Grandma's birthday. However, due to many mishaps in the kitchen, Ruby needs to send Max to the store for additional ingredients. At the store, the grocer can't always read all of the shopping list. Time and time again Max is sent back to get the correct item but has trouble communicating what is needed.That is until Max discovers the power of drawing pictures as a way to communicate. After drawing a picture of his desired red rocket bombers, the grocer understands what he wants! 

The bossy side of Ruby is evident in the book, Max Cleans Up.. Ruby is determined to have Max clean up his messy room, just the way she wants it to be. Max, however, has other plans. As Ruby sends Max to the trash can with things, including dirt from his dump truck, a squeeze tube of Miracle Bubbles, ants that have escaped the ant farm, and an Easter egg from last year, he stuffs these treasures into the front pocket of his overalls. After Ruby has arranged toys by category and has lined everything up she proudly shows Max the results. Noticing his bulging pocket, she asks what is in it and Max replies, "Everything!"  For Max the "rescued" items provided hours of imaginative play and were more important than the organized rows of toys on the shelves.

In Yoko's Show and Tell, Yoko receives an antique doll from her grandparents in Japan. Against her mother's directions,  she takes it to school for show and tell. When the doll is taken from her on the bus by the Frank brothers, it becomes torn and dirty. Upon coming home, Yoko is worried that her mother won't love her anymore because she disobeyed.  Her mother's response proves that mistakes can be mended with a little loving care. Her mother tells her, " You have made a bad mistake, my little lotus flower, but I love you just as much as ever!"  

If you and your child are looking for a good read I recommend visiting the library and choosing some books by Rosemary Wells! Check them out, take them home, cuddle up together and READ!

That's it for now.

Check back later!