Marilyn Courtot (Children's Literature)
Most kids will understand Max's dilemma. He can't get to sleep without his red elephant. Sister Ruby offers her bear, pig and duck as substitutes, but they just won't do. Finally the red elephant is found and Max is ready for a good night's sleep. Reissued with new artwork, the story resonates and the pictures will charm. 1998, Dial Books, $5.99. Ages 2 up.

CCBC (Cooperative Children's Book Center Choices, 1998)
The eight volumes in the Max series, first published between 1979 and1985, were among the first original board books produced especially with toddlers in mind. With just a few well-chosen words and brilliant strokes of the paint brush, Wells managed to create a series of engaging stories centering on a stubborn little rabbit named Max and his bossy older sister, Ruby. All eight volumes have now been reissued in a larger size (7 x 7") with completely new illustrations that maintain the spirit of the originals. In addition, Wells has made minor changes to improve some of the texts, all in the interest of simplicity. But in the face of these changes, Max and Ruby's characters and their sibling struggles remain the same, and they will continue to delight a new generation of children. CCBC categories: Board Books; New Editions of Old Favorites. 1998, Dial, 10 pages, $5.99. Ages 1-3.

Horn Book (The Horn Book Guide, Fall 1998)
Wells's popular board books have been unnecessarily altered in these editions. The books are larger and less easy for small hands to manage; pastel-colored backgrounds have replaced the bold colors that contrasted so strikingly with the white rabbits; distracting patterns and additional colors have been incorporated into the new illustrations; and even the typeface is fancier. Search out the close-to-perfect originals. Category: Fiction. 1998 (orig. 1985), Dial, 11pp. Ages 2 to 5. Rating: 5: Marginal, seriously flawed, but with some redeeming quality.