Max's Chocolate Chicken ANNOTATION
Max and his sister Ruby go on an egg hunt and vie with each other for the prize--a chocolate chicken.
FROM THE PUBLISHER
When Max's Chocolate Chicken was first published in 1989, School Library Journal cheered, "It's cause for celebration when rabbit toddler Max and his bossy sister Ruby return to share another holiday with young readers." Now Dial is proud to present this wonderful story in an updated board book format, featuring a bright new cover illustration and fresh design. Max and Ruby are going on an Easter egg hunt, and Ruby has declared that whoever finds the most eggs will win the chocolate chicken that someone put in the birdbath. "No eggs, no chicken, Max," warns Ruby as her brother wanders off to investigate ants and acorns. But, as always, Max gets the last word—and the chocolate chicken!
FROM THE CRITICS
Publishers Weekly
Irresistible Max is backthis time starring in a springtime book full of Easter surprises. When Max finds a chocolate chicken in the birdbath, big sister Ruby decides to organize an Easter egg hunt. Whoever finds the most eggs will get to eat Max's chocolate chicken, she says. Max tries to play Ruby's game, but like most toddlers, is easily distracted. When Ruby finds him making ant-and-acorn pancakes, she says, ``Pull youself together . . . otherwise you'll never get the chocolate chicken.'' But Max knows better. While Ruby smugly counts all the eggs in her basket, Max steals his chocolate chicken, and, hiding beneath a tree, eats it all by himself. Ruby is aghast, until she discovers the chocolate duck the thoughtful Easter bunny has left for her. Like Wells's other Max books, the text is understated and perceptive; the funny illustrations are as beguiling as the natty Easter bunny himself. Ages 3-7. (Mar.)
Children's Literature
Mischievous Max is excited to gobble up the chocolate chicken he finds in the birdbath one lovely spring morning. Unfortunately, Max's sister Ruby tells him that he can only have the chocolate chicken after they go hunting for painted eggs. Max agrees to this, but keeps finding anything but painted eggs—acorns, ants, a spoon and a mud puddle. Max just can't seem to find any eggs, but he still manages to make it back to the chicken before Ruby does. Fans of Max and his adventures will enjoy this caper from Rosemary Wells. 1999 (orig. 1989), Puffin Books, $5.99. Ages 3 to 7. Reviewer: Catherine C. Wright
School Library Journal
PreS-Gr 1-- It's cause for celebration when rabbit toddler Max and his bossy sister Ruby return to share another holiday with young readers. Max falls in love with a chocolate chicken that's been left in the bird bath by the Easter Rabbit, and he simply wants to eat it. Ruby, however, insists that they hunt for eggs, with the winner claiming it. Determined Max gets his way, but the surprise ending shows that Ruby is no loser. With her characteristic simplicity of illustration and plot, Wells once again creates an entertaining story with a beguiling main character. The illustrations, in bright jelly bean colors, reflect expression, emotion, mood, and the humor of the situations and capture the freshness of the season. An Easter treat that features two child-like hares in a tale to be enjoyed again and again.-- Trev Jones, ``School Library Journal''
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