Hellobee

A great author is one you can count on, trusting that any book she writes is one you’ll enjoy. That is definitely how I feel about Rosemary Wells. You probably know author Rosemary Wells from her beloved books about Max and Ruby, but Max and Ruby are just two of the many characters created by Wells and written about for over 40 years in over 120 books.

Ms. Wells’ signature illustrations usually feature anthropomorphic animal children and she uses her characters to tell very relate-able stories to children. What I love most about Ms. Wells’ work is that she really taps into children’s developmental stages and often features best practices in her books that take place in schools. In fact, I make it a point to stop by the W’s and look through the Rosemary Wells books on each library visit! There are so many great titles to choose from, but I’ve highlighted 5 different series below!

Max and Ruby series:

I find the Max and Ruby books hilarious and enjoy their silly antics and adventures. If you’re not familiar with this sibling duo, here’s what you need to know: Ruby is the older, wiser (though that’s debatable!) sister who is often left in charge of her little brother, Max. Max is a preschooler who has his own way of doing things and often disagrees with Ruby’s unilateral decisions. There has been speculation about Max possibly having Autism Spectrum Disorder as he is mostly non-verbal, but there has been no definitive answer about that. Ms. Wells has, however, commented that the reason there are no parents visible in the stories is because she wants to showcase how children resolve conflict when adults are not present. And boy, do conflicts arise! The story arcs usually feature Ruby wanting to do something and Max getting in the way of her plans. In the end, it always works out, and it’s hilarious to see their very different personalities. There are many titles in this series, but I’ll share just a few of my favorites:

Bunny Cakes
32 pages
Ages 3-5 years

Read along as Ruby tries to make Grandma a birthday cake only to have Max come in and spoil her plans. Several trips to the store later, they both have their birthday cakes for Grandma to enjoy. I also love the spotlight on writing and not giving up!

Bunny Money
32 pages
Ages 3-5 years

It’s Grandma’s birthday again and Max and Ruby both have different presents in mind and not enough money to spend. A great introduction to money and math, featuring silly antics that include oozing candy vampire teeth!

Max Cleans Up
32 pages
Ages 3-5 years

Ahh, the old clean-your-room battle! Max’s room is particularly gross and kiddos will definitely roar with laughter at his ridiculous “solutions” to his mess!

Bunny Party
32 pages
Ages 3-5 years

It’s Grandma’s birthday yet again and Ruby has lovely party planned for her, Max, Grandma, and 7 of her dolls. Max would also like to invite a special guest, but Ruby won’t let him, so Max has to improvise…a hilarious book with some great counting opportunities!

Max’s Dragon Shirt
32 pages
Ages 3-6 years

Max is supposed to be shopping for new pants, but he desperately wants a dragon shirt…which, of course (spoiler alert!), he makes sure he gets. If you are like Ruby and like to “just look” while shopping like I do, you’ll get a kick out of this crazy shopping trip!

Yoko

Yoko is, perhaps, my favorite of Rosemary Wells’ characters, probably because I identify with her and her experience as an Asian-American (in her case, Japanese-American) student. Yoko’s experiences at school are beautifully told and help address some sensitive issues.

Yoko
32 pages
Ages 3-6 years

Yoko’s feelings are hurt when her classmates make fun of the sushi lunch she brings to school. Thankfully, her thoughtful teacher and a hungry classmate help her and the other students understand that differences are okay.

Yoko Writes Her Name
32 pages
Ages 3-6 years

Yoko is so excited to start school — she can already write her name and is excited to show everyone! Unfortunately, when her classmate’s see her write her name (in Japanese characters), they make fun of her “baby marks” and poor Yoko is deflated. Thankfully, with the help of her mama and her teacher, Mrs. Jenkins, Yoko and her classmates learn that friendship can span across cultures.

Yoko Learns to Read
32 pages
Ages 3-6 years

Yoko’s literary journey continues in this book as she wants desperately to learn how to read. But, with the only books at home being in Japanese, Yoko worries she will fall behind, until she discovers the library. She works hard, looking at the pictures first, then learning the letters and their sounds, and then noticing familiar words. She learns so well that she even teaches her mama how to read in English! I love how Rosemary Wells portrays the reading process in this story!

Yoko Finds Her Way
32 pages
Ages 3-6 years

Young children will love following along on Yoko’s and Mama’s airport adventure as they read and navigate their way using signs. A great introduction to using environmental print as a stepping stone into reading!

McDuff

McDuff just might be the cutest little West Highland Terrier you’ve ever seen. In these beautiful illustrations set in the 1940s and painted by Susan Jeffers, you’ll love following McDuff on his crazy adventures with his new people, Fred and Lucy.

McDuff Moves In
32 pages
Ages 2-5

In the sweet story that starts this series, read about how McDuff finds his home and discovers his love for rice pudding with sausages.

McDuff and the Baby
24 pages
Ages 2-5

This is a great story for new big brothers or sisters as McDuff learns to adjust to a new baby in the house. McDuff’s jealousy is real and relateable, and…kind of hilarious.

McDuff Goes to School
28 pages
Ages 2-5

McDuff is cute, but he could use a little brushing up on his tricks and commands. When he heads to school with his new French neighbor, it seems that McDuff hasn’t learned anything, but in true McDuff fashion, he surprises everyone with a twist.

The Kindergators

I LOVE this series because Ms. Wells writes the books using principles from the Responsive Classroom approach which emphasizes social and emotional growth along with the academic curriculum and is widely regarded as a highly successful program. Our school is a Responsive Classroom school and I’m a total believer in the approach! Even if you’re not familiar with the Responsive Classroom techniques and philosophy, you’ll love the conversation these books can start for you and your little one.

Hands Off, Harry!
40 pages
Ages 4-8

Harry has a problem keeping his hands to himself and disrupts his and his classmates’ learning. Read along as Miss Harmony and Harry’s classmates help Harry learn to respect personal space.

Miracle Melts Down
40 pages
Ages 4-8

Miracle is having a rough day. And after temper tantrum and temper tantrum, Miracle needs help from her friends and teacher to learn to calm down and control her meltdowns!

Sophie

Oh, mommas and papas of toddlers, you are so going to have a connection with these books if you have a toddler! One of the best things about Rosemary Wells is that she really *gets* kids and writes them so well. Sophie is probably one of her youngest characters and you and your toddler (and even older kids) will so enjoy laughing at her crazy antics!

Time-Out for Sophie
32 pages
Ages 2-5

That Sophie is quite sassy and is giving her parents and grandma quite a run for their money! Read as Sophie’s choices lead to time-outs and how she finally learns to listen (or does she?).

Sophie’s Terrible Twos
32 pages
Ages 2-5

On the morning of Sophie’s second birthday, she wakes up “on the wrong side of the crib” and is grouchy and grumpy. It seems the Terrible Twos have showed up right on time! Thankfully, Grandma has more tricks up her sleeves and knows just what to do to help newly Terrible Two Sophie!

Use Your Words, Sophie!
32 pages
Preschool and up

The latest of the Sophie books, I find this one to be the most hilarious. Sophie knows plenty of words but chooses not use them, preferring instead to talk like a hyena or in space language. It isn’t until her new baby sister comes along that Sophie uses her words, and with good reason — someone’s got to save her baby sister from the crazy and wacky names her parents keep coming up with!

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There are so many other Rosemary Wells titles that I could highlight, but if you are new to the gem of an author, start with these and take some time to discover her many other delightful titles. I just know you and your littles will love them as much as my littles and I do!