The House That Max Built

by Maxwell Newhouse

Having worked construction for many years, author and illustrator Maxwell Newhouse shows young readers step-by-step how houses are built in this captivating picture book. From drawing up the plans to excavating the site to laying the foundation, the unique and colorful paintings move through the seasons as Max builds the house of his dreams. Watch the framing crew as they build a floor frame to hold the house, raise the walls into place, and make the roof frame. See them install the windows and doors, bricklayers build the outside walls with bricks and mortar, and roofers nail the shingles into place. Follow the plumber as he puts in the water lines, the electrician as he installs the wiring, and the drywaller as he places wallboard on the inside walls. Along come the tile setter, floor layer, cabinetmaker, and painter, who all do their part to make Max’s house beautiful as his mischievous little dog romps through the pages. Finally, when the property has been landscaped with plants, trees, grass, and stones, Max moves into his beloved new home.

With a list of all the trades and a description of what they do, The House That Max Built is a must-have for any child with a natural curiosity and a passion to build things

Genres: Picture Books

24 pages, Hardcover

First published April 8, 2008

About the author

MAXWELL NEWHOUSE is a highly accomplished folk artist whose work has been widely exhibited in galleries across Canada. He has illustrated the critically acclaimed The RCMP Musical Ride, written by the artist himself, as well as Laura Secord: A Story of Courage, Emily Carr: At the Edge of the World, Let’s Go for a Ride – a finalist for the Governor General’s Literary Award in Children’s Illustration – and The House That Max Built.

Reviews

[Canadian Children's Book Centre]

Folk artist Maxwell Newhouse worked in construction for many years and in his newest book, he takes young readers through the steps of building a house. It begins in the early summer with the site selection and architect’s drawings and ends with laying sod in the garden beside the blossoming pink fruit trees. Concrete pouring, framing, shingling, plumbing, insulation, tiling — each page shows a step in the process — explained in clear and succinct sentences and illustrated in detail in Newhouse’s bright and lively style. In clear language, the author explains each step and even Max’s choices. "The frame of the house needs to be covered with brick or siding or stone or stucco. ‘It’s brick for me,’ says Max. He watches the bricklayers spread the mortar." For youngsters who find construction fascinating and who are instantly attracted by the roar of a backhoe or the sight of a hammer, this book offers plenty to intrigue. But The House That Max Built offers any child an easy information packed trip through the process of homebuilding, one which will be fun to read at home or at school. Newhouse’s vibrant colours and engaging style show the development of the house (and the passing of the seasons outside). Children will also enjoy finding white-haired Max himself in every picture — and his black Scottie dog who appears in most pictures, occasionally making trouble for everyone on the site!

Reviewed by Gillian O’Reilly in Canadian Children's Book News
Spring 2008 VOL.31 NO.2

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's a cute picture book that shows the process of building a house and all the different specialists that contribute to making it happen in very simple terms.

[Lauren · Rating 3 out of 5]

House construction.

[Molly · Rating 3 out of 5]

A step by step narrative house building.

[Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great book for teaching all that it takes to build a home. It's done in step by step illustrations of each process. It was really fun, it would be perfect if you were building a new home.

[Tricia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Covers steps of the house from start to finish as a narrative. Not strictly technical as the Gail Gibbons title recently reviewed.

[Catherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

My four-year-old wanted to know how houses are built and this was a wonderful, illustrated explanation for him.

[Erroll Treslan]

My boys (ages 3 and 6) loved watching this house get built from scratch.

[Andrea Labonte · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book because it takes you though the steps of building a new house.

[Ian Mctavish · Rating 5 out of 5]

My son loves construction, we curled up to read this many times.

[Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty simple book, but is a nice overview of what is involved in building a house. Also has descriptions for each job involved.

[Sylvester (Taking a break in 2023) · Rating 3 out of 5]

2* art
3* story

Squirt had fun looking for the dog in each illustration, to see what trouble it was getting in.