Max and Bird (Max the Brave #3)

Max, the black kitten introduced in Max the Brave, makes a new friend in Bird, but can birds and kittens be friends? "It's a rule of nature. Birds get chased by kittens," Max tells Bird, who has no interest in being chased or becoming a snack. "But friends don't eat each other up!" protests Bird. Instead, they resolve to learn how to fly, resulting in a trip to the library and lots of ineffectual flapping on the part of both animals (Bird eventually gets the hang of it). Vere's pared-down cartooning keeps the focus on this developing friendship (the two friends, both inky black with huge white eyes, appear against brightly colored, mostly empty backgrounds), and his droll narration ("They flapped in the morning. Not a bean. They flapped in the afternoon. Not a sausage") provides lots of laughs along the way. Ages 3-6. (Sept.)

PreS-Gr 2--A kitten named Max asks a bird named Bird to be his friend. Max is determined to chase his pal (and possibly eat him) until Bird tells him that friends do not eat one another. "'If you teach me how to fly, ' said Bird, then we'll talk about the chasing...and all that other stuff." Max decides that it is a fair plan and sets off to help Bird learn how to fly. In this book the words appear to bounce about the page in an almost graphic-novel style. The main characters look like silhouettes with bright and expressive eyes that convey the emotions of curiosity, frustration, and determination throughout the story. Movement is illustrated with sharp and curved lines. New readers will easily discern where the characters have been and how their movement has progressed and changed. Some dialogue is written in a different font from the story's narration, which adds emphasis to especially important exchanges. The story line is humorous and engaging for a young audience. Children will relate to Max's and Bird's attempts to achieve something they have seen but never tried themselves. VERDICT This book is a fun read about forming meaningful friendships and learning from others. Best shared one-on-one and in a small group.--Deanna Smith, Mamaroneck Public Library, NY