Max

by Bob Graham

Expectations can run high for the new baby in any family. Parents and grandparents... read more

Expectations can run high for the new baby in any family. Parents and grandparents often hope that members of the new generation will follow in their footsteps. Or, in the case of Max’s family, that he will fly like his elders. But Max is “not just any baby. He is a superbaby--son of Captain Lightning and Madam Thunderbolt.” His parents are “legendary catchers of thieves and bullies,” and so are his grandparents. They all wait for little Max to fly like a bird. But Max doesn’t. He can’t. They try to teach him, and he attempts to learn, but he just drifts back down to earth. Then one day Max sees a stranded baby bird that is not yet ready to fly. He forgets about his own shortcomings and floats up to rescue it. Bob Graham always creates affectionate characters in zany family circumstances. The actions of his characters humorously resemble people children will recognize, even when his folks look a bit offbeat. One of Max’s school friends points out, “Everyone’s different in some way, aren’t they?” And everyone can be a “small hero,” too, just like Max. (Ages 3-5)

© Cooperative Children's Book Center, Univ. of Wisconsin - Madison, 2001

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