Max's First Word

Max and Ruby

by Rosemary Wells

Max learns a more sophisticated word than the ones his sister tries to teach him.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Animals, Fiction

10 pages, Board Book

First published January 1, 1979

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

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

We read several Max and Ruby books tonight, and I really didn't think that this one was going to turn out to be all that special. I think that our situation this evening made Max's First Word resonate.

My niece decided that it was high time that her brother go through a crash course of kindergarten prep. She was quizzing him on shapes, colors, letters, numbers, then she was trying to teach him to read. I let this little educational session go on for awhile, and it became more and more clear that my nephew was about to throttle his teacher/sister who just didn't seem to know when enough was enough.

In order to head off the impending fight, I pulled out Max's First Word. Lo and behold, Max was having to endure an educational moment sponsored by his own sister Ruby! My nephew was belly laughing all the way through this book! Boy, could he relate! He loved how Max was able to put up valiant resistence to his sister's unceasing attempts to educate him, and he loved that in the end, Max showed himself to be a lot smarter than Ruby had given him credit for. This was just the right book for the moment, and I can certainly see how younger siblings would have nothing but love for this book!

[Mimi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant. 😂

[Danielle Miskin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Max will only say one word. Even though his sister tries to get him to say other words. I love Max! He is very independent. Great book for babies. Good illustrations.

[Devin · Rating 3 out of 5]

This little bunny can only say one word the whole book until the last page and then says a new one; funny. Most appropriate for kids that are just learning to speak.

[Mary DelColle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked this book because i loved Max and Ruby when i was younger. The book was showing how Max would only say "bang" when Ruby asked him to say a different word. Max replied "delicious" at the very end when Ruby told Max to say "Yummy". Max was not cooperating with Ruby. Young kids would like this book because they can relate to Max's bad behavior. The pictures were also very coloring and easy to view and make out.

[Mia Bell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Growing up I had always favored these books, and the show. Reading this story again as I am older I still enjoyed it a lot. The story itself is very cute, it is for sure directed towards younger readers/audiences. The illustrations are all so good, they are portrayed very well to go along with the story.

[Taylor Maiese · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! I love that Ruby is trying so hard to get Max to talk and is trying to get him to say all of these different words and then he finally says one! I feel like the story really captured what happens when a baby says their first words. I loved this story it was very fun and sweet. It is a story that makes you happy while your reading it.

[Eva_Amaré · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of our first books for the year and there's already a bossy older sister telling Max what to say. Welcome to my life. Max can only say one word...or so I thought. Never saw the plot twist coming in the end. Not crazy about the pics, but excited to see what else Max gets up to in other books. 🐰🍎

[Christian Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. I shows how big sisters are helpful and also teaches kids new words. Even though his sister was bossy, she still wanted Max to learn. The pictures through out the books would keep the kids focused and interested on what could be next. This is a good classical book I would read to my kids.

[Alyssa Santoro · Rating 5 out of 5]

After reading this story, I thought that this book was such a cute book for little kids. I love that the book was about Ruby wanting to teach her little brother Max a few new words. I could relate to this book because I would teach my little sister new words while she was younger. Very cute book for young readers.

[Brianna Holloway · Rating 4 out of 5]

The illustrations in this book are so funny and cute. The fact that Max says only one word until the very end. It's a good practice for younger kids to read because of the short worded pages. I also thought that it showed a good representation of sibling interaction for young readers and adults. Ruby and Max seem to have a good relationship, even though Max does his own thing in spite of Ruby.

[Emma Carter · Rating 3 out of 5]

As I read "Max's First Word", this shows the great relationship that Ruby and Max have throughout reading the book. Max is being taught by his older sister Ruby to say a few words. A lot of this book shows the ups and downs that Ruby has when teaching him. This is so important for young readers because they can learn new words and follow along with the book.

[Lu · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the very first book that I could read by myself (mostly because I memorized it). This book has become part of my family's lore and to this day whenever I say "delicious" I either think or say out loud "said Max" behind it.

[Alex Furlong · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a book about a little bunny that can only say one word despite help from others. The illustrations are very nice. I believe this book is great for children who are just learning to read. At the end of the story, the bunny learns to say a second word; funny!

[Brandy Burbach · Rating 2 out of 5]

I personally did not like this book very much. It is a book though that is using words that are common and easy for babies to learn when they are trying to learn their first words. When Ruby says specific words Max responds with words he correlates with those specific words.

[Megan Cleer · Rating 4 out of 5]

After reading this book, I think that it is a lovely read for the age group that it is meant for. The pictures correspond great with the text throughout the story. I think this is a very appropriate book and is meant for any child learning new words and identifying items. Great read!

[Aiamyia Dudley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book! I have also been a fan of this show since I was a little girl. I think this was an awesome book for the age group. It was meant right for this. The picture corresponds with the appropriate book and is meant for any child to learn new words and identify them.

[Miss Ggagag · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good

[Meredith · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ruby tries to each Max words.

[Isaiah Pittman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book from my childhood, more than any other, influenced who I have become as an adult. Greatest twist ending of all time. M. Night Shyamalan could NEVER.

[Jessica Shepherd · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this book was a great book. The author talks about how it's a great first learner book, which I agree. It brings up family and shows the importance of family and support. Max's first word in the book could more than likely be another child's first word. The book makes a lot of connections.

[Emma · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have to rewrite this review as my sons view on the book have changed. When we first read it (18 months maybe?) he liked the cup in it but that was it. Now he's almost two and has become quite verbal himself, he gets the joke about learning the words. And he remembers the vocabulary, he invokes Max when we talk about a broom or a chair or an apple. Whenever I say something is delicious in daily life, he cracks up because he remembers this book. It's a deceptively simple book, it's actually quite sophisticated.

[jacky · Rating 3 out of 5]

We've read almost all the Max and Ruby series (not including the ones based on the TV show), so I had to get a copy of this one. I was a little let down. I thought Max's word would be a little funnier, but I did find the interaction between Max and Ruby very realistic. Particularly, I think Natalie will enjoy this book when I read it to her because this is where she and William are.

[Jennifer Heise · Rating 4 out of 5]

Poor Ruby. No matter what bossy, older-sister plans she makes, and no matter what effort she puts in, Max outsmarts her. In this case, she is trying to teach him to speak new words, but he's not having any of it, until he comes up with a word of his own.

My five year old giggled at this but I think 2-4's would be the best audience for this classic Max and Ruby board book.

[Msor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very cute book for a young child. Simple with engaging illustrations. I personally find Max and Ruby a little annoying, but my toddler loves the books, asks for them again again again again again...

[Katie Turley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ruby, the sister was trying to get Max to say curtain words. He just kept saying BANG! When she gave him an apple he said yumm. yumm, delicious!
I like this book. It is good and repetitive to help students learn to read.

[Marissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like this book because it uses vibrant colors to get children's attention. This book demonstrates Max's older sister Ruby trying to teach him words, which he ends up saying delicious and it's cute/funny because it's a bigger word then the ones she was teaching him.

[Kirsten (lush.lit.life) · Rating 5 out of 5]

she's gone back and redone the illustrations on so many of her classics - i prefer (probably for nostaligic purposes) the simplicity of the originals.

[Katie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute! Max and Ruby are a lovable pair of siblings; Ruby is the typical bossy and learned older sister, trying to teach Max new words.

[Camie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book had a great ending. It was like the Sixth Sense - I never saw it coming! DELICIOUS!