Max and Ruby       


Rosemary Wells is the author and illustrator of the Max and Ruby books.  She was born in New York City, and at the age of two began drawing and she has not stopped since.  Her writing career has spanned over 30 years with the creation of over 60 books.

The Max and Ruby books center on the relationship between a sister and brother as expressed through rabbit characters.  Max is the three year old brother and Ruby the seven year old sister.  They were inspired by Well’s own three and six year old children.  The material is geared to a preschool audience and teaches how to deal with problems and differences of opinion. 

Max only uses a few words per story, and uses them over and over, but because he is mischievous and disorderly, it is up to bossy and determined Ruby to do all the communicating so things can get back into proper order.  These conflicts are always resolved in loving and humorous ways.  Their parents are never seen, but their kindly grandmother who lives next door is shown occasionally.  Many episodes include the Bunny Scouts to which Ruby and her friends Louise and Valerie belong.  Adults may not find Max and Ruby all that entertaining (unless they are bunny lovers) but preschool children really enjoy having the stories read to them.  They are a great introduction into how to read. 

Max And Ruby Go "Prime Time"

In 2002 Well’s signed a contract to have Max and Ruby animated for the Nickelodeon TV cable network.  They can be viewed on the Nick Jr and Noggin cable channels in the morning hours.  Children are mesmerized by the exploits of Max and Ruby.  In fact, a whole industry has arisen around them in the way of toys, coloring books, games, etc.    We have recently purchased Max and Ruby stuffed dolls made by TY and have added them to the Mid-South Bunny Museum. Check out the TY Toys website for yourself to get an idea of how popular Max and Ruby have become go to their web site at www.maxandruby.tystoybox.com.

For a taste of the “Max and Ruby Show” here is one found on YouTube.  It is a little shaky because it is a home video of an episode being shown on a TV set.  You can check it out at Max and Ruby