Max Explains Everything: Puppy Expert

Image of Max Explains Everything: Puppy Expert
Author(s): 
Illustrator(s): 
Release Date: 
July 7, 2020
Publisher/Imprint: 
G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers
Pages: 
32
Reviewed by: 

“The humorous picture book makes a perfect read-aloud for young dog lovers and will certainly solicit a lively exchange among readers about their experiences with new puppies.”

In the previous two entries in the series Max Explains Everything, the young expert gave advice about visits to the grocery store and how to play soccer. In this new volume Max explains how to get and care for a puppy and shows the ups and downs of new dog ownership.

Max wanted a puppy his whole life. And he knows that he needs to be persistent when asking for it. He tells readers that “Grownups will warn you” about the all the work owning a puppy will mean, but that doesn’t deter Max.

So the first step is “Get the puppy.” To achieve that goal Max recommends asking and asking again and again. And, just when “you are about to give up. It happens.” The family is ready to adopt a dog. Finally, Max picks an adorable black-and-white puppy at the Adoption Fair.

Step Two, Max advises, is “Find a name.” “That’s a lot of responsibility.” He ponders several options which are all depicted in handsome bubbles around Max, as he tries them out, while the cute puppy is offering his belly for a scratch.

Step Three is “Get a lot of Puppy Stuff.” As any new dog owner knows, soon after you have brought it home, you choose the right bed, the perfect toys, and the ideal treats.

The next step, “Teach the Puppy” proves challenging for Max since puppies don’t listen well. We see Max trying to teach his puppy the simple commands of “stay,” “down,” and “sit,” with mixed results.

Max also considers that his friends might be jealous since he has a puppy and they don’t. But if Max has to walk his dog while others are playing he might also be envious of his dog-less friends as realizes the responsibility owning a dog means.

And Step Five? We won’t find out since the puppy has eaten the paper on which Max has noted that tip. Max realizes that owning a puppy does mean a lot of work, but he also enjoys his puppy’s exuberant love and cuddles.

As in the previous books in the series, Hocking makes good use of the double spread and her colorful pictures underline the light tone and humor of the book.

This is another successful entry in the Max Explains Everything series. The humorous picture book makes a perfect read-aloud for young dog lovers and will certainly solicit a lively exchange among readers about their experiences with new puppies.