Max and Ruby — by Rosemary Wells

Pandora's Box Rosemary Wells Sep-1993

Max's New Suit Rosemary Wells Feb-1998

Max and Ruby in Pandora's Box Rosemary Wells Sep-1998

Bunny Cakes Rosemary Wells Jul-1999

Max's Chocolate Chicken Rosemary Wells Oct-1999

Goodnight Max Rosemary Wells Mar-2000

Bunny Money Rosemary Wells Apr-2000

Max's Dragon Shirt Rosemary Wells Aug-2000

Max Cleans Up Rosemary Wells Nov-2000

Bunny Party Rosemary Wells Oct-2001

Max and Ruby's Busy Week Rosemary Wells Oct-2002

Play with Max and Ruby Rosemary Wells Nov-2002

Ruby's Beauty Shop Rosemary Wells Nov-2002

Ruby's Tea For Two Rosemary Wells Jun-2003

Max Drives Away Rosemary Wells Jun-2003

Max and Ruby's Midas Rosemary Wells Jun-2003

Max and Ruby Play School Rosemary Wells Aug-2003

Max's Christmas Stocking Rosemary Wells Sep-2003

Bunny, Bunny Kirsten Hall Sep-2003

Max's Valentine Rosemary Wells Jan-2004

Max's Bedtime Rosemary Wells Feb-2004

Max's Toys Rosemary Wells Feb-2004

Ruby's Rainy Day Rosemary Wells Mar-2004

Max's Halloween Rosemary Wells Aug-2004

Max's Breakfast Rosemary Wells Sep-2004

Max's Birthday Rosemary Wells Oct-2004

Bunny Mail Rosemary Wells Oct-2004

Max and Ruby's Snowy Day Rosemary Wells Nov-2004

Max's ABC Rosemary Wells May-2006

Max and Ruby's Show-and-Tell Rosemary Wells Jul-2006

Bunny My Honey Anita Jeram Oct-2006

Max Counts His Chickens Rosemary Wells Feb-2007

See How They Grow DK Publishing Jul-2007

Max and Ruby's Christmas Tree Rosemary Wells Sep-2007

Ruby's Falling Leaves Rosemary Wells Sep-2007

Max and Ruby's Winter Adventure Rosemary Wells Sep-2007

Max's Easter Surprise Rosemary Wells Feb-2008

Hide-and-Seek Rosemary Wells Mar-2008

Max's Work of Art: A Coloring & Activity Book Rosemary Wells Mar-2008

Max's Bunny Business Rosemary Wells May-2008

Happy Halloween! Rosemary Wells Aug-2008

Snow Bunny Tales Rosemary Wells Oct-2008

Valentine's Day Fun! Rosemary Wells Jan-2009

Max's Worm Cake Rosemary Wells Feb-2009

Bunny Fairy Tales Rosemary Wells Feb-2009

Sunny Bunny Tales Rosemary Wells May-2009

Peekaboo Rosemary Wells Jun-2009

Shopping Rosemary Wells Jun-2009

Ruby Scores a Goal Rosemary Wells Sep-2009

Max's Apples Rosemary Wells Sep-2009

A Merry Bunny Christmas Rosemary Wells Oct-2009

Love Rosemary Wells Jan-2010

Counting Peas Rosemary Wells Jan-2010

Max and Ruby Celebrate Easter Rosemary Wells Feb-2010

Super Bunny Tales Rosemary Wells Feb-2010

Birthday Rosemary Wells May-2010

Sandbox Rosemary Wells May-2010

Max Makes A Friend Rosemary Wells Jun-2010

Max's Checkup Rosemary Wells Jun-2010

A Day to Play! Rosemary Wells Jun-2010

Costume Fun!: A Lift-The-Flap Book Rosemary Wells Sep-2010

Max's Christmas Rosemary Wells Oct-2010

Max and Ruby's Bedtime Book Rosemary Wells Oct-2010

Funny Bunny Tales Rosemary Wells Jan-2011

Max & Ruby's Four Seasons Rosemary Wells Mar-2011

Ruby's Cupcakes Rosemary Wells Jun-2011

Beach Day! Rosemary Wells Jun-2011

Ruby's Party Rosemary Wells Sep-2011

Christmas Is Here! Rosemary Wells Oct-2011

Hungry Bunny Tales Rosemary Wells Jan-2012

Where's Ruby? Rosemary Wells Jan-2012

Ruby's Rainbow Rosemary Wells Apr-2012

A Christmas Tree for Ruby Rosemary Wells Oct-2012

Max and Ruby's Treasure Hunt Rosemary Wells Nov-2012

Max and the Easter Egg Hunt Rosemary Wells Jan-2013

Silly Bunny Tales Rosemary Wells Jan-2013

Max Goes Fishing Rosemary Wells May-2013

Max & Ruby's Trick or Treat Rosemary Wells Aug-2013

Ruby Gets Crafty Rosemary Wells Oct-2013

Sporty Bunny Tales Rosemary Wells Jan-2014

Springtime Fun with Max & Ruby Rosemary Wells Jan-2014

Ruby's Beauty Day Rosemary Wells Jun-2014

Max to the Rescue Rosemary Wells Jun-2014

Max and the Fall Parade Rosemary Wells Sep-2014

Max & Ruby at the Warthogs' Wedding Rosemary Wells Sep-2014

Max's Special Spring Rosemary Wells Feb-2015

Celebrate Thanksgiving with Max and Ruby! Rosemary Wells Aug-2015

Ruby Writes a Story Rosemary Wells Sep-2015

Fireman Max Rosemary Wells Sep-2015

Ruby's Tea Party Rosemary Wells Feb-2016

Max and Ruby's Preschool Pranks Rosemary Wells Jul-2016

Max's Bug Rosemary Wells Jul-2017

Max's Lunch Rosemary Wells Jul-2017

Max at School Rosemary Wells Oct-2017

Max's Half Birthday Rosemary Wells Mar-2018

Max's First Word Rosemary Wells Jul-2019

Max & Ruby and Twin Trouble Rosemary Wells Oct-2019

Max & Ruby and the Babysitting Squad Rosemary Wells Oct-2020

Series Premise

Max and Ruby are a pair of young rabbit siblings who live together with their grandmother, and each story centers on a simple, everyday situation—such as making breakfast, playing, sharing toys, or solving a tiny problem—where Ruby (the responsible older sister) tries to guide or teach Max (the mischievous toddler brother), only for Max’s stubborn, wordless determination to lead to funny or surprising outcomes. The books gently explore sibling dynamics, independence, patience, and the loving push-pull of growing up, with Max often getting his way in his own clever, nonverbal manner.

The series can be read in any order. Each book is a short, self-contained story focused on a single incident or activity, with no overarching plot, character aging, or cliffhanger continuity across titles. Order doesn’t matter at all—children can pick up any book at any time without missing important background or missing out on the experience.

Max and Ruby Series Characters

Ruby — The older sister (around 7 in rabbit years), responsible, well-spoken, and full of good intentions. She loves order, rules, and helping others, but often gets exasperated when things (usually Max) don’t go according to plan. She is kind-hearted and patient, even when frustrated.

- Max — The younger brother (around 2–3 in rabbit years), a silent, stubborn toddler who communicates mostly in one-word sentences (“No,” “Bunny,” “Dump truck”). Mischievous, determined, and single-minded, he pursues his own small goals with unwavering focus, often outsmarting Ruby in his own quiet way.

- Grandma — The warm, gentle grandmother who lives nearby and frequently cares for the siblings. Kind, wise, and endlessly patient, she provides hugs, cookies, and gentle guidance without taking sides.

- Supporting figures — Occasional friends (like Louise), neighbors, or other family members who appear briefly to add color and variety to the everyday adventures.

Setting of the Max and Ruby Series

The series is set in a cozy, timeless suburban or small-town home and its immediate surroundings—a tidy rabbit house with a kitchen, living room, bedrooms, backyard, and nearby park or garden. The world is deliberately simple and safe: sunny days, flower gardens, a sandbox, a swing set, a picnic blanket, and the occasional trip to Grandma’s or a friend’s house. There are no phones, screens, or modern distractions; the focus stays on physical play, household routines, and the natural rhythms of childhood—making the setting feel universal, comforting, and instantly recognizable to young children.

Tone & Themes of the Max and Ruby Series

The tone is warm, gentle, affectionate, and quietly humorous, perfectly pitched for very young children. Rosemary Wells uses simple language, soft repetition, and understated comedy—often derived from Max’s single-word insistence or Ruby’s exasperated but loving reactions—to create a cozy, reassuring atmosphere. There is never any real conflict or meanness; even when Max frustrates Ruby, the mood remains light-hearted and kind. The overall feeling is comforting and joyful: everyday family life is celebrated, mistakes are small and fixable, and love between siblings is constant and unconditional.

Rosemary Wells’s Max and Ruby series captures the small, perfect dramas of early childhood with gentle humor, beautiful illustrations, and deep affection for the sibling bond. Through Ruby’s earnest efforts and Max’s quiet triumphs, the books celebrate independence, patience, imagination, and the everyday magic of family life—without ever needing big adventures or scary villains. The series remains a timeless favorite for preschoolers and their grown-ups alike—cozy, funny, and quietly wise—offering the comforting truth that even the tiniest disagreements can end in love, laughter, and a snack. Max and Ruby remind us that the most important stories are the ones that happen right at home.