Common Sense Note
Parents need to know that this story is written with minimal text and punctuated by cartoon illustrations. Kids will relate to Max's struggle to communicate in writing and will be motivated to make lists, as the book jacket suggests.
Families can talk about how they communicate. How do you tell someone you're sad or that you want a special snack? How do parents talk about what they need? Can you point to any letters in the book and say what they are? Are you excited to learn to read and write?
Common Sense Review
Reviewed By: Karyn Wellhousen
Max exhibits an important stage of learning to read and write as he invents his own symbol to get his message across. When children scribble a message and expect adults to be able to read it, they are demonstrating their understanding that people communicate through written symbols. With support from adults and meaningful opportunities to engage in pretend writing, they gradually begin to recognize traditional symbols, such as the letters of the alphabet.
Ruby and Max's use of written symbols is integral to the storyline and a focal point of the illustrations. Writing is further emphasized by close-up insets of the yellow-lined paper and the written messages of both characters. Rosemary Wells' cartoonlike style of drawing and her expressive bunny characters keep children pleading, "Read it again!"
From The Book
This time Max wrote "Red-Hot Marshmallow Squirters" in a different way. Max hoped and hoped for his Squirters, but the grocer still couldn't read Max's writing.
Plot Summary:
Max has not yet learned to talk, read, or write, so how can he convey his yearning for Red-Hot Marshmallow Squirters? Cleverly, he takes his cue from older sister Ruby, who proficiently uses signs and symbols to communicate. Max experiences the frustration of learning a difficult skill, but finds out that persistence and ingenuity make it possible to achieve new goals.
Related Books:
Max's Dragon Shirt is another Max and Ruby adventure. Children can learn more about words and writing through books that label pictured objects, such as Richard Scarry's Best Little Word Book.
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