Maxine has arrived. She is a new baby sister for Max. Have you met Max? He is a small hero. I adore him. Max, the book, was a CBCA honour title in 2001. His little sister has taken twenty years to arrive but I think it was worth the wait.
Mum, Superhero Madam Thunderbolt and Dad, Captain Lightning, are delighted to welcome their new baby girl into their family. She is born with her 'mask fully formed' on the stroke of midnight. This must mean she is both Monday's child fair of face and Tuesday's child full of grace. Grandma and Grandad give baby Maxine her first gifts - a hand knitted Super Cape and a pair of boots made from the softest leather. Max gives his sister one of his own favourite books - "Veterinary treatment for Animals." In later pages we see Max in his bedroom and it is clear he is very interest in animals which makes a lot of sense when you think about the baby bird he rescued all those years ago.
What do we discover about Maxine?
She has red, curly hair. Her very first words may surprise you.
Maxine is very clever "She started school four years ahead." Wait til you see her room which is filled with books and a baby grand piano.
BUT in her heart Maxine would like to be just like the other kids who wear ordinary clothes like t-shirts and jeans. Maxine also wonders about her future and we the readers wonder about her flying ability.
Things to notice:
Once again we have the wonderful yellow lighting bolt family home which you will remember from Max. And the family car is a thunderbolt too.
Little dog bandit is back wearing his mask.
If you look really closely you can see the Underhill family are also shopping at Jeans Junction.
Once again Bob Graham gives his readers beautiful end papers, aerial views, tiny details and touches of humour. Do you remember the nappy change scene in Max? You'll need to look closely but baby Maxine needs a new nappy too. I well remember reading Max to groups of students who roared with laughter as we watched the yellow stained nappy deposited into the nappy bucket.
Check out the book in mum's bag in the scene when Maxine has just been born. I also need to mention Maxine's lunch box and school bag.
Look for the school motto - Tempus Fugit (Time flies).
The dedication quote is perfect 'Be yourself, everyone else is taken' - Oscar Wilde.
Publisher Blurb Walker Books: Max has a new baby sister – Maxine! Max is there for her first words, her first steps and … her first flight! But as Maxine grows up and starts school, she doesn’t feel like she quite fits in. In fact, she’s not sure if she feels comfortable in her superhero guise at all. Can Maxine convince her family that not all superheroes wear capes? With a strong, incredibly smart girl at its centre, this is a book to inspire any child to dream big and be exactly who, and how, they want to be.
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