Max & Ruby and the Babysitting Squad

PreS-Gr 2--In this latest adventure starring bunnies Max and Ruby, the siblings meet their match in young charge Percy. Ruby and her friend Louise are starting a new babysitting service. Of course, Max wants to help too, but is discouraged by Ruby. On their first job, Max is told to stay away, in the backyard, while Ruby and Louise head inside to take care of Percy. Percy quickly escapes to the attic where, out a window, he sees Max enjoying his construction toys and heads outside to join him. Together the duo have fun creating a mess, highlighting Max's success in spite of being underestimated by the others. Wells tells this sweet story with plenty of humor and warmth. Adults and older siblings will relate to the exasperation of Ruby and Louise at Percy's determined evasion. Max, always the underdog, is a great stand-in for younger siblings. Signature watercolor and textured illustrations in a soft color palette bring a youthful energy and playfulness that keep this series popular with readers. VERDICT Another charming installment of this clever and comforting series. Recommended where the previous books are popular.--Sophie Kenney, Aurora P.L., IL

Has Ruby learned nothing? Underestimating Max never goes well. Ruby and her friend Louise have an idea. Branding themselves the Babysitting Squad, they decide to hire themselves out--informing Max, Ruby's younger brother, that he is neither professional nor bonded and so cannot be part of it. Soon the girls are off to their first job, however, with Max riding along in his full-sized Saw-toothed Dirt Bucketer and somehow also towing his Rock Crusher. Telling Max to play outside, the girls have big plans, but their charge, Percy, would rather wear a skunk suit and spray people with aftershave and mouthwash than cooperate. However, when Percy gets a look at Max digging in the backyard, once more the underestimated little brother saves the day. Ruby and Max inhabit a world in which people book babysitters on long corded phones and elementary-age babysitters boast that they are "bonded" without explanation. Even readers who accept this may wonder why Max is going along on the job when he's been told he can't. Beginning with insufficient setup, the book ends with a thunk (Max just turns on a sprinkler) rather than an actual conclusion. It all prompts the obvious question: Is it time to retire the sibling duo that has brought us such joy over the years? (This book was reviewed digitally with 10-by-20-inch double-page spreads viewed at 30.3% of actual size.) He may be just a toddler, but Max is getting a little old. (Picture book. 3-5) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.