Barbro Lindgren (text), Eva Eriksson (illus.). Max’s Bear Gecko Press February 2015, $AU12.99, $NZ14.99, unpaged – board book, ISBN: 978-1-776570-02-7.
Max’s Wagon ISBN 978-1-776570-01-0.
Max’s Bath ISBN 978-1-776570-00-3
These charming stories interweave with each other focused on Max and his dog, teddy bear, truck and cookie (plus a bath and a potty). It captures something of both the innocence of the playful child who delights in having a bath and creating mayhem as well as the egotism of the growing child who insists that dog does what he wants. But dog is a clever character and knows the joy of cookie-time, to the detriment of Max. Simple sentences and subtle pictures invite parent as reader and child as listener to play the game of “what happens next?” and “am I right?” Warm and engaging reflections on life and living for preschoolers.
reviewed by John McKenzie
