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Max and Ruby
Bunny Cakes
It's Grandma's birthday, and Max wants to make her an icky, worm-infested cake. But Ruby says, "No, Max. We are going to make Grandma an angel surprise cake, with raspberry-fluff icing." Will Max let his bossy older sister keep him out of the kitchen? Or will they both become bunnies who bake?
32 pages, Paperback
First published March 1, 1997
22 people are currently reading
973 people want to read
About the author
Rosemary Wells
404 books381 followersLibrarian 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).
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).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 184 reviews
April 29, 2019
Ruby is trying to bake a cake for her grandmother’s birthday and Max is trying to help but breaks all the eggs,spills the milk and flour. The kids were most interested in Max’s cake made with earthworms and how awful it would be. The book just the right amount of reading to keep their interest.
March 7, 2013
Forget about the kids--*I* loved this story, too! I was cracking up the entire time I read it, because the story is so clever. I can't remember the last time I enjoyed a children's book so much! :)
For me, though, the best test of any storybook is: will my four year-old stay in naptime if I give it to him? This book passed that test with flying colors--my son *loved* the story when I read it to him, then couldn't wait to sit and re-live it by looking at the pictures himself during naptime while I slipped away to enjoy a little quiet.
For me, though, the best test of any storybook is: will my four year-old stay in naptime if I give it to him? This book passed that test with flying colors--my son *loved* the story when I read it to him, then couldn't wait to sit and re-live it by looking at the pictures himself during naptime while I slipped away to enjoy a little quiet.
February 26, 2023
Great book, was suspenful in the middle, but had a happy ending! :)
March 20, 2023
i want to eat that pink cake so badly
Read
April 7, 2024These bunnies are more independent than my 8yo.
May 12, 2016
The Max and Ruby books are sometimes fun, and sometimes… well, let’s just say we hope Rosemary Wells doesn’t have to worry about money now. Bunny Cakes is on the "fun" list.
Max and Ruby’s sibling relationship is so funny to me, because Ruby is so perfectionistic and wants to be in control, but it doesn’t seem to bother Max one bit. He just goes on with his life and projects.
Ruby wants Grandma’s cake to be perfect, but with little brother Max involved, she’s forced to employ ever-escalating methods of keeping his well-intentioned destruction at bay. Meanwhile, Max is convinced that on one of his trips to the store for replacement ingredients, he can score some of his favorite candy to decorate his own cake for Grandma if he can just get his handwriting perfect. Whose cake will be ready in time?
Max and Ruby’s sibling relationship is so funny to me, because Ruby is so perfectionistic and wants to be in control, but it doesn’t seem to bother Max one bit. He just goes on with his life and projects.
Ruby wants Grandma’s cake to be perfect, but with little brother Max involved, she’s forced to employ ever-escalating methods of keeping his well-intentioned destruction at bay. Meanwhile, Max is convinced that on one of his trips to the store for replacement ingredients, he can score some of his favorite candy to decorate his own cake for Grandma if he can just get his handwriting perfect. Whose cake will be ready in time?
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January 23, 2023Book 14 Bunny Cakes: This one was also cute. It shows that when made with love no two things have to look exactly the same. And that there is no right or wrong answer to how you go about something. Also sorry but the one cake sounds disgusting.
October 8, 2024
Ruby is so mean!!!
October 19, 2024
Reading age
2 - 5 years,
2014 Read for the Record
https://www.jstart.org/jumpstarts-rea...
2 - 5 years,
2014 Read for the Record
https://www.jstart.org/jumpstarts-rea...
July 13, 2018
Bunny Cakes by Rosemary Wells is a well written picture book which is intended for children ages three to five years old.“Bunny Cakes” includes talking bunnies that try to make a cake for their bunny grandmother. The one bunny, Max, keeps knocking all the ingredients over. So, his older sister, Ruby, sends him to the store with a list to replace the broken ingredients.
The illustrations really made sense of the story. It showed why the grocer could not understand that Max wanted Red-Hot Marshmallow Squirters because the text never said that Max did not know how to write or draw. Without the illustrations, the readers would be confused why Max could not get the grocer to understand that he wanted the Red-Hot Marshmallow Squirters.
The illustrations were also really colorful and would be easy to keep the young readers interested.I also really enjoyed how it shows how the relationship between brother and sister. It shows how the older sibling is teaching the younger sibling to learn basic life skills such as baking and going to the store.
However, I did not give the book five stars because I felt the author should have shown more of how Max made his own cake because it kind of confusing on how it happened. Especially, since the younger ages are reading it would be more beneficial for them to understand the events taking place.
The illustrations really made sense of the story. It showed why the grocer could not understand that Max wanted Red-Hot Marshmallow Squirters because the text never said that Max did not know how to write or draw. Without the illustrations, the readers would be confused why Max could not get the grocer to understand that he wanted the Red-Hot Marshmallow Squirters.
The illustrations were also really colorful and would be easy to keep the young readers interested.I also really enjoyed how it shows how the relationship between brother and sister. It shows how the older sibling is teaching the younger sibling to learn basic life skills such as baking and going to the store.
However, I did not give the book five stars because I felt the author should have shown more of how Max made his own cake because it kind of confusing on how it happened. Especially, since the younger ages are reading it would be more beneficial for them to understand the events taking place.
May 28, 2016
We got some Max and Ruby books to prep for seeing a live Max and Ruby show at Sesame Place. (It worked - I loved the show). This is my favorite out of the 4 books we got. Max and Ruby are both making birthday cakes for their Grandma's birthday. Max's cake is made out of earthworms, and all he wants for it is some red hot marshmallow shooters. Ruby is making a more traditional cake, but Max keeps messing it up and having to go to the store for new ingredients. When Mommy reads it, she always says, "Oh no, what happened?" and I can tell her what Max did wrong and which new ingredient he has to buy at the store. Mommy likes all the ways Max tries unsuccessfully to write "red hot marshmallow shooters" on the grocery list. When my Grandma's birthday came, I made sure to warn her not to eat any earthworm cake.
Update 2016: Now I can "read" this book all by myself. It is one of my favorites. I like when Ruby says, "No, Max, we're going to make Grandma an angel surprise cake with raspberry fluff icing." I also like when Ruby tells Max that the kitchen is "no place for Max" because he keeps knocking over the ingredients. And I like when she bakes it and cools it. And I like when he has to go back to the store and the grocer gets red hot marshmallow squirters for him.
Update 2016: Now I can "read" this book all by myself. It is one of my favorites. I like when Ruby says, "No, Max, we're going to make Grandma an angel surprise cake with raspberry fluff icing." I also like when Ruby tells Max that the kitchen is "no place for Max" because he keeps knocking over the ingredients. And I like when she bakes it and cools it. And I like when he has to go back to the store and the grocer gets red hot marshmallow squirters for him.
July 14, 2012
Since the Stanislaus County Library system was celebrating 100 years this year, the theme of this year's Día de los Ninos/Día de los Libros celebration was birthdays . A co-worker and I performed a special bilingual story time in which we acted out all of the stories and used fun props. My co-worker and I did this story in Spanish. She played Max and the grandmother, and I played Ruby and the shopkeeper.
I love Rosemary Wells' work, and Bunny Cakes is a great Max and Ruby story. In this story, Ruby and Max each want to make a special cake for her grandmother's birthday. As usual, Ruby, the bossy older sister, tells Max that instead of a mud pie, they are going to make a white cake with raspberries. Max wants to help but ends up spilling and breaking ingredients. Ruby sends him to and from the store with a list. Max also wants to get some special candies for the mud pie is still going to make for grandma. Since Max isn't a big talker, he tries to add it to the list by "writing," but the shopkeeper ignores the scribbles until Max figures out a different way to communicate his need.
I love Rosemary Wells' work, and Bunny Cakes is a great Max and Ruby story. In this story, Ruby and Max each want to make a special cake for her grandmother's birthday. As usual, Ruby, the bossy older sister, tells Max that instead of a mud pie, they are going to make a white cake with raspberries. Max wants to help but ends up spilling and breaking ingredients. Ruby sends him to and from the store with a list. Max also wants to get some special candies for the mud pie is still going to make for grandma. Since Max isn't a big talker, he tries to add it to the list by "writing," but the shopkeeper ignores the scribbles until Max figures out a different way to communicate his need.
February 17, 2017
This book is an easy read for young readers. It shows how we all do things differently. Max wanted to make their grandma a Earth worm cake. While Ruby wanted to make their grandma a angle surprise cake with raspberry fluff icing. These two are complete polar opposites when it comes to personalities. Max doesn't mind being messy and being creative. While Ruby is very organize and likes to make everything nice and neat. This shows when you make something for someone they will love it no matter what because, you made it. This would be a great way to show that everyone is different and unique in their own way.
July 14, 2018
Max is the younger brother bunny, with a knack for perseverance and problem solving. His grandmother's birthday is coming up and Max knows exactly what kind of cake to make her. And it's not the "everything is done perfectly" version that his sister prefers. Max comes up with a creative way to solve his sisters's attempts at discouraging him.
A fun book, especially for younger siblings with know it all older sibling who tries to tell them how to do everything.
A fun book, especially for younger siblings with know it all older sibling who tries to tell them how to do everything.
September 15, 2019
My kids love this book and beg to read it over and over! We can practice sounding out the words, identify with Max’s early writing attempts, and laugh at the perfect ending. Not to mention, as I have a 5 year old girl and 3 year old boy, the sibling dynamic is spot on!
July 28, 2020
The rabbits, Max and Ruby, have different ideas of what kind of cake to give to Grandma. Max wants to help Ruby, but Ruby gets annoyed at the accidents Max has in the kitchen. She still trusts him enough to go to the store. Max is persistent and finds a way to get the grocer to understand what ingredient he wants for his special cake. I really liked the detailed illustrations. I enjoyed the relationship between Max and Ruby, how older siblings are sometimes impatient with younger siblings. I smiled about the earthworm cake. It was something Max could make on his own. I think the best thing was the Grandma’s reaction to having two cakes.
This book is good for ESL students who are learning or reviewing the past tense.
Los conejos, Max y Ruby, tienen ideas diferentes de que tipo de pastel deben dar a Grandma (Abuelita). Max quiere ayudar a Ruby, pero Ruby se molesta sobre los accidentes de Max en la cocina. Todavía confía en él lo suficiente para ir al mercado. Max es persistente y encuentra un camino en que el dueño de mercado puede entender que ingrediente quiere Max para su pastel especial. Me gustaron mucho las ilustraciones detalladas. Disfruté la relación entre Max y Ruby, como los hermanos mayores a veces son impacientes con sus hermanos menores. Sonreí sobre el pastel de gusanos. Fue algo que Max puede hacer por sí mismo. Pienso que la cosa más bonita fue la reacción de Grandma a tener dos pasteles.
Este libro es bueno para estudiantes de ESL que están aprendiendo o revisando el tiempo verbal del pasado.
This book is good for ESL students who are learning or reviewing the past tense.
Los conejos, Max y Ruby, tienen ideas diferentes de que tipo de pastel deben dar a Grandma (Abuelita). Max quiere ayudar a Ruby, pero Ruby se molesta sobre los accidentes de Max en la cocina. Todavía confía en él lo suficiente para ir al mercado. Max es persistente y encuentra un camino en que el dueño de mercado puede entender que ingrediente quiere Max para su pastel especial. Me gustaron mucho las ilustraciones detalladas. Disfruté la relación entre Max y Ruby, como los hermanos mayores a veces son impacientes con sus hermanos menores. Sonreí sobre el pastel de gusanos. Fue algo que Max puede hacer por sí mismo. Pienso que la cosa más bonita fue la reacción de Grandma a tener dos pasteles.
Este libro es bueno para estudiantes de ESL que están aprendiendo o revisando el tiempo verbal del pasado.
February 8, 2021
Giving Bunny Cakes 5 stars on behalf of my almost-2-year-old because it’s one of her favorites. This gets my approval because I’ve read it 1,000 times and I don’t mind reading it again (and again, and again, and again).
Ruby wants to make an angel surprise cake with raspberry fluff icing for grandma’s birthday (which sounds amazing) but Max keeps getting involved and dropping the ingredients. When he drops the eggs my daughter points and says “Eggs! Eggs! DROPPED THE EGGS!”; ditto for the milk and flour. I think kids love Max because he’s a little chaos agent like all toddlers are and it’s very exciting to see him wreak havoc and make messes. Max wants red-hot marshmallow squirters (which sound kinda gross) for his mud cake but he can’t make the grocer understand him. Will he find a way to get his point across and will Ruby be able to finish her cake?
It’s a charming book and that perfect length for toddlers, short and repetitive enough to hold their attention but long enough to feel like an actual story. I love the dry humor throughout, as when Ruby tapes a line on the floor - “Max, you can’t cross that line” - and the next line is simply, “He crossed the line anyway.” Show me an older sibling that hasn’t been there, trying to keep a baby brother or sister out of the way, and a kid between 1 and 5 that hasn’t blithely “crossed the line anyway,” damn the consequences. The final line is funny too, when grandma sees her two birthday cakes, but I won’t spoil it for you; find a two year old and read it to them instead.
Ruby wants to make an angel surprise cake with raspberry fluff icing for grandma’s birthday (which sounds amazing) but Max keeps getting involved and dropping the ingredients. When he drops the eggs my daughter points and says “Eggs! Eggs! DROPPED THE EGGS!”; ditto for the milk and flour. I think kids love Max because he’s a little chaos agent like all toddlers are and it’s very exciting to see him wreak havoc and make messes. Max wants red-hot marshmallow squirters (which sound kinda gross) for his mud cake but he can’t make the grocer understand him. Will he find a way to get his point across and will Ruby be able to finish her cake?
It’s a charming book and that perfect length for toddlers, short and repetitive enough to hold their attention but long enough to feel like an actual story. I love the dry humor throughout, as when Ruby tapes a line on the floor - “Max, you can’t cross that line” - and the next line is simply, “He crossed the line anyway.” Show me an older sibling that hasn’t been there, trying to keep a baby brother or sister out of the way, and a kid between 1 and 5 that hasn’t blithely “crossed the line anyway,” damn the consequences. The final line is funny too, when grandma sees her two birthday cakes, but I won’t spoil it for you; find a two year old and read it to them instead.
November 11, 2019
Book Title: Bunny Cakes
Author: Rosemary Wells
Reading Level: 2.7
Book Level: 2.7
Book Summary: It's Grandma's birthday and Max and Ruby have both made their very own cake to celebrate the occasion. After working on his mud based cake, Max helps Ruby in his own special way. After spilling the eggs, milk, and more, Max has to complete multiple trips to the store to replace each ingredient. All the while, Max is hoping to add an ingredient of his own to the shopping lists that Ruby has been giving him, to help him put the finishing touches on his cake. Grandma is left with two unforgettable cakes.
Genre: Picture Book
Mentor Writing Traits:
Organization: Bunny Cakes is wonderful for the way it can be used to introduce children to the concept of organization in writing. As they read through the book as a class, students can be shown how the author uses a structure that repeats itself through the book. Each time Max attempts to help only to make another trip to the store, the way Ruby tries to keep him away, the way Max tries to get ahold of his marshmallows, all these elements repeat themselves and yet they also continue to add to the story. Students can then be lead in an exercise on making predictions based on what has previously happened in a story using examples from this and other stories.
Author: Rosemary Wells
Reading Level: 2.7
Book Level: 2.7
Book Summary: It's Grandma's birthday and Max and Ruby have both made their very own cake to celebrate the occasion. After working on his mud based cake, Max helps Ruby in his own special way. After spilling the eggs, milk, and more, Max has to complete multiple trips to the store to replace each ingredient. All the while, Max is hoping to add an ingredient of his own to the shopping lists that Ruby has been giving him, to help him put the finishing touches on his cake. Grandma is left with two unforgettable cakes.
Genre: Picture Book
Mentor Writing Traits:
Organization: Bunny Cakes is wonderful for the way it can be used to introduce children to the concept of organization in writing. As they read through the book as a class, students can be shown how the author uses a structure that repeats itself through the book. Each time Max attempts to help only to make another trip to the store, the way Ruby tries to keep him away, the way Max tries to get ahold of his marshmallows, all these elements repeat themselves and yet they also continue to add to the story. Students can then be lead in an exercise on making predictions based on what has previously happened in a story using examples from this and other stories.
November 20, 2024
a story about how a child's creativity can be unconventional and messy and even gross and we can still reward them for it. I love that Max made a cake out of worms and literal dirt as a gift for his grandma (sustainable & frugal king..) and not only does she not mind, she loves it on the same level as Ruby's actual cake. And I love that even Ruby's cake, which is supposed to be the perfect one, is lopsided and unusual and creative; I love that this book is set in a universe where cakes look like this and where Red-Hot Marshmallow Squirters exist! I love these kids' outfits, green overalls & the like. as a kid I appreciated Max because I was also (still am) the clumsy younger sibling who had to be banished from the kitchen for messing things up, and as an adult I adore Max for his earnestness and persistence and how he goes to all these lengths to get these mf Squirters. It's just an incredible book man what can I say.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 25, 2023
Scholastic 1997 Paperback
This is an excellent book for understanding neurodivergent people. Incapable of speech and handwriting, Max perseveres in his attempt to buy Red-Hot Marshmallow Squirters. He used drawing, the best skill that he had to convey his message, after numerous attempts at writing. If it weren't for that idea, it would have bored me.
This would also be a good way to convince young people to learn to write if they are capable. If you want to get your message across, you need to make it legible. It will save you time and frustration. I might skip over the page where he drew and save that for those who can't write and for those who can after they learn.
Yet again we are left wondering where Max and Ruby's parents are. It seems that they are paying the grocery tab. Grandma is not flustered, so all must be well. It seems to be a safe neighborhood.
This is an excellent book for understanding neurodivergent people. Incapable of speech and handwriting, Max perseveres in his attempt to buy Red-Hot Marshmallow Squirters. He used drawing, the best skill that he had to convey his message, after numerous attempts at writing. If it weren't for that idea, it would have bored me.
This would also be a good way to convince young people to learn to write if they are capable. If you want to get your message across, you need to make it legible. It will save you time and frustration. I might skip over the page where he drew and save that for those who can't write and for those who can after they learn.
Yet again we are left wondering where Max and Ruby's parents are. It seems that they are paying the grocery tab. Grandma is not flustered, so all must be well. It seems to be a safe neighborhood.
March 22, 2024
Max and Ruby both want to make grandma a cake for her birthday. But, they have two different ideas of perfect. Ruby wanted to make an angel surprise cake with raspberry-fluff icing, while Max wanted to make an earthworm cake. Max keeps knocking things over, but each time he has to go to the store. The thing is each time she goes she is one step closer to getting red-hot marshmallow squirters. I think this would be an excellent read-aloud. This book was awarded the Charlotte Zolotow Award for the best text in a picture book. I do believe this to be true. The text holds so many meanings within its few pages.
August 9, 2024
Picking out some re-sale books at a used booksale for some little kiddos (who are not my own)
This was an old skool favorite so I had to get some sort of Max and Ruby story. I love this because it has both a girl and boy; and is going to a family with both; so hoping both will enjoy this story together. As I've heard from my friend it can be difficult to get both of them to enjoy the same stories.
It's also fairly simple sentence structure; so hoping this can also be an early reader practice book for the older child.
This was an old skool favorite so I had to get some sort of Max and Ruby story. I love this because it has both a girl and boy; and is going to a family with both; so hoping both will enjoy this story together. As I've heard from my friend it can be difficult to get both of them to enjoy the same stories.
It's also fairly simple sentence structure; so hoping this can also be an early reader practice book for the older child.
April 28, 2019
Such a cute story! All Max wants to do is make his earthworm birthday cake for his grandmother. But Ruby has him helping in the kitchen with an actual edible cake. He keeps dropping items and has to go to the store to get said items. He's trying to also get some Red-Hot Marshmallow Squirters for his earthworm cake but the grocer can't read his handwriting! This dynamic of older sibling and younger/brother and sister is relatable. I can see my little cousins in the characters.
October 23, 2019
Genre: Fantasy/Science Fiction
Awards: N/A
Audience: Ages 3-8
A. “Bunny Cakes” is type of Animal Fantasy, as talking animals are the main characters.
B. The author encourages the reader to suspend disbelief when the bunnies begin to talk.
C. The setting is realistic and relates to the genre of fantasy in that unrealistic characters are portrayed in a realistic world.
D. The themes in “Bunny Cakes” include Determination, Creativity, and Acceptance.
Awards: N/A
Audience: Ages 3-8
A. “Bunny Cakes” is type of Animal Fantasy, as talking animals are the main characters.
B. The author encourages the reader to suspend disbelief when the bunnies begin to talk.
C. The setting is realistic and relates to the genre of fantasy in that unrealistic characters are portrayed in a realistic world.
D. The themes in “Bunny Cakes” include Determination, Creativity, and Acceptance.
April 13, 2021
I think many children will prefer Bunny Cakes! It is very hilarious and emotional. The first reason why you should read Bunny Cakes is because it is HILARIOUS! It HILARIOUS because Max keeps on tipping over things. For example, when Max tipped over the white milk his sister drew a line that Max couldn't go over. It is also HILARIOUS because Max keeps on trying to get " Red-Hot Marshmallow Squirters. Another reason to read Bunny Cakes is because there is emotion. The emotions are irritated. Max is very upset in the story. He really wants his Red-Hot Marshmallow Squirters! For example, Max tried so hard to get the hot marshmallows, his face turned furious red and lousy at the same time! Everyone should read this awesome book! The end will make you speechless. You can not take your eyes off this picture book.- Carys G.
June 3, 2021
Max and his sister Ruby are making cakes for their Grandma's birthday, but Max keeps messing things up. Every time he spills an ingredient, Ruby sends Max to the store with a list. He tries to add an ingredient for his own earthworm cake that he's making Grandma, but the grocer doesn't seem to understand his handwriting. It's a cute story that I was really enjoying, but I thought the ending was a little "meh."
June 24, 2018
There are heartbreaking pieces of the characters’ histories and heartbreaking moments to the story. You will root for the narrator as she tries to navigate through all the weirdness and tumultuous events of her family. It’s strange and funny and unusual, and one of my favorites of the last few years.
November 28, 2020
It's Max and Rubys Grandmas birthday, and Max wants to make her an ugly worm cake. But Ruby says, “No, Max. We are going to make Grandma an angel surprise cake, with raspberry-fluff icing.” Ruby tried bossing Max around and wanted the cake to come out perfect exactly how she liked it, but max had other plans and ideas in mind.
July 16, 2021
Poor Max...Ruby treats him like a mental defective. All he wants is to make a caterpillar dirt cake and he keeps messing up his sister's pink cake ingredients. So he has to go to the store again and again for her. Each time, he hopes to get some Red Hot Marshmallow Squirters to no avail. This is an enduring charmer no matter how many times you read it.
April 11, 2022
I enjoy reading this book, and it has some cute concepts. The 4yo girls I read it to love it. I like the sibling dynamic and Max’s solution and the repetition of the story. I just want to know where Max and Ruby’s Grandma was (or the age old question of where their parents are) while these small bunnies are baking in the kitchen and trekking to the grocery store.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 184 reviews