The truth about Max by Alice and Martin Provensen

A much beloved cat which figures in many of the Provensen's works, is now given his own picture book.

The Provensens lived and worked for many years at Maple Hill Farm in the state of New York , producing over forty picture books, half of which they also wrote. Many of these won accolades around the world and are considered classics in the pantheon of American children’s literature.

In this book we are introduced to Max, a big, bold cat who was ever hungry, so much so that he grew and grew and grew. 

He was also a teasing cat standing on the tail of his long suffering mother, Gooseberry. And he teased the other cats and dogs on the farm, but drew the line at the goats and horse. He loved hunting, setting his eyes upon the chicks, but he was told in no uncertain terms that they were not to be touched. 

The wonderful illustrations evoke the personality of this singular cat, big and bold, as he roams the farm, the king of all he surveys. A cheeky face peers out of the pages, only the swinging of his long fat tail betraying his mood. 

When night descends we see his natural urge coming to fruition as he goes away from the farm changing his demeanour to be that of a tiger as he sets out on the evening hunt. We have already seen the results of his right time activities in the squirrel tails littering his bed in the stable.

The lovely sepia style illustrations, show a large yellow eyed cat, doing all the things cats do: helping make the bed, upsetting the other animals, strolling though the farmyard, and washing himself all over. 

Four pages at the end of the book by the Prevensen’s daughter, Kare Provensen Mitchell talks about her dealings with the cat when she was a child, and talks about life at Maple Hill Farm, giving a warm family togetherness to the story. 

Readers may like to check on their library shelves for other examples of the Provensen's work, Our animal friends at Maple Hill Farm, The year at Maple Hill Farm and so on are just two of the many titles.

Themes: Alice and Michael Provensen, Cats, Farm life, Family.

Fran Knight