Max's Chocolate Chicken

Max and Ruby

by Rosemary Wells

All Max wants to do is eat the chocolate chicken that someone left in the birdbath one fine spring morning. But "wait, Max," his sister Ruby says, "First we go on an egg hunt." Max does his best to play along, but when Ruby finds all the eggs-and he finds only ants and acorns-he shows her what can happen when you put all your eggs in one basket!

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Holiday, Fiction, Animals, Humor, Storytime

32 pages, Paperback

First published March 31, 1989

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

[Amber]

**BeBe's story time for Elinor **

Ruby decides whoever get the most Easter eggs wins the Chocolate Chicken. Of course, Max in his usual manner doesn't respond well to Ruby ( AKA Miss Bossypants by my granddaughter ) and has other ideas.

[Liv]

This book is very very very interesting and my favorite book back in the day

[diaryofaworm]

some of you are haters. max did nothing wrong!

[Amy]

I first was introduced to this title by my school librarian when I taught first grade. My kiddos absolutely loved it, and it’s a perfect part of your family’s Easter festivities! The innocence and mischief of Max makes me laugh, and your kid will too!

[Kim]

sweet easter book

[Jc]

Brother does not earn the reward but takes it anyways. Not really what kids should taught, is it?

[Tracy Schillemore]

Kids will like that it is about two beloved cartoon characters but all in all it was a stupid book.

[Sarah]

I love dumb Max

[Ali Book&Seaglasshunter]

I’ve never really found many Easter books that I care too much for. This one is probably my favorite so far. Max and Ruby are bunny siblings and they are going to have an egg hunt. The prize is a chocolate chicken. Max is not interested in hunting for eggs at all, despite his older sister’s pestering and prodding. I think that this book actually captures something common in a sibling relationship. Older siblings can sometimes be “bossy” or put themselves in charge of the little ones. Often times little ones don’t care for that! I think this could be a good book to explore if you have children finding themselves in these roles, or if you just want something a bit silly to read around Easter time.

[Kelsey]

I gave this book a chance knowing I hate the Max and Ruby TV series—after reading this book I can easily say that it did not make me doubt my hatred of the series. Max is rude and undisciplined, and his behavior never gets corrected, so he simply represents bad behavior for kids to emulate. Why Ruby is always the sole caregiver for her brother I’ve never understood; there is way too much responsibility being put onto her as a sibling. I hated that Max didn’t work hard or follow the rules, got the chocolate anyway, and wasn’t punished for it, and the Easter Bunny just watched creepily in the background.

[Joan]

Adorable bunny book! Bright and colorful illustrations. I love how Ruby (big sister) is always trying to get little brother, Max to conform to the program. This time it’s to be serious about hunting Easter eggs. Max is busy finding joy and playfulness in everything he sees. It all works out in the end. Thanks to the Easter Bunny.

[Olivia S]

This book is sweet and hilarious. Ruby is bossy and in control ("Max, pull yourself together!"), Max is unconcerned. Great Easter (or anytime) book. Cute and funny enough to work for fairly little kids, 3+.

[Kelley]

A silly book about a very bad rabbit and a very good rabbit. My kids like the silliness of it.

[Min]

A romp with brother, and sister for an egg hunt. The prize is a chocolate chicken for the most eggs. IT would appear some are more interested in finding the chocolate chicken.

[Andrés]

I love Wells' tender McDuff books, but the two Max and Ruby family books I've read have mean-spirited undertones. I'm worried about Max's lack of focus, and I don't like the scary-looking Easter Bunny hiding ominously behind a tree, staring down Max and Ruby. Instead of showing conflict resolution, the book delivers a replacement chocolate chicken (also, chicken? ok, fine) for Ruby, deus ex machina. Max also immediately steals part of this chicken after eating the whole prior chicken.

[James]

Max gets distracted by mud, acorns, and ants, instead of looking for Easter eggs. The one who finds the most eggs will win the chocolate chicken...except that Max SNEAKS OFF with the chocolate chicken, hides, and eats ALL of it without sharing. The Easter bunny brings a chocolate duck for Ruby, but Max breaks off the tail of it too! NOT a good book for teaching any sort of morals.

[Anthony]

Max has his heart set on having the Chocolate Chicken, but first his must find more Easter eggs than Ruby. While Ruby finds lots of eggs Max only finds acorns, and ants. How will Max win the Chocolate, or does he have a different plan to get the Chicken.

[Julie Ginevan]

This really was not a good book to teach kids. Max and Ruby had an agreement about competing for the chocolate chicken, and then Max ate it and there were no consequences for him cheating. This is one I was really glad that I pre-screened before reading to kids.

[Bri]

I love this short, silly, expressive little book. I see a lot of Max in my middle child and a lot of Ruby in my eldest. Max feels like he's getting the short end of the stick when it comes to the egg hunt so he takes drastic action when it comes to the chocolate chicken. Who could blame the lad?

[Shahd Rdawi]

📀 story

[Ashley]

Iconic. I use the phrase “‘I love you,’ said Max.” on a regular basis. A must-read.

[Sarah]

Dumb Max. Love him.

[Cyril]

Cute, funny sibling story.

[Jaime]

My four year olds were really focused on this one.

[Eric Williams]

An amusing picture book for children. Nice for families to enjoy around Easter.

[Tam]

I have read this book a gazillion times my fave Easter book

[swamp girl]

Excellent.

[Suzanne Lorraine Kunz Williams]

I'm not into books where someone breaks the family rules and gets no consequences. I'd skip this one.

[KaitandMaddie]

A bit random.

[Cristina Quattrone]

Max is everything.