Author & Illustrator Profile
Maira Kalman
18 Books
Maira Kalman is a celebrated author, illustrator, and designer recognized for her vibrant, whimsical artwork and witty storytelling. She has written and illustrated beloved children's books such as Fireboat and the Max the Dog series, while also providing illustrations for authors like Lemony Snicket. Her distinctive, painterly style and observant narratives appeal to readers of all ages.
Max the millionaire poet dog has conquered New York and Paris, and now he is taking on Tinseltown! When Max gets a major commission to write and direct his very first Hollywood feature film, he knows it is the opportunity of a lifetime. Packing up their glamorous bags, Max and his dazzling Dalmatian bride, Crepes Suzette, leave the romantic streets of Paris for the glittering lure of California. In this rollicking, madcap adventure, the artistic canine duo dives headfirst into the wild and wacky movie business. From demanding actors and chaotic film sets to the jazzy rhythm of a city built on dreams, Max discovers that making movie magic is not quite as easy as writing poetry. Will Max and Crepes find true movie stardom, or will Hollywood prove to be too crazy even for them?
6-8 Years
9-12 Years
40 Pages
Max the millionaire poet dog has just landed in Paris, the glorious city of lights and dreams! Everyone in town is in a froufrou of delight over this famous canine visitor. From the wealthy Fritz at the Ritz to the lively Pierre Potpurri, who desperately wants Max to perform in his Crazy Wolf Nightclub, the city is packed with eccentric characters and cosmopolitan energy. Max spends his days seeing the dazzling sights, writing poetry, and taking in the sounds and colors of the beautiful Parisian spring. Yet, amidst all the enchantment and luxury, Max realizes something very important is missing from his millionaire life. He has money and fame, but he is searching for true romance. Join Max on a delightfully funny journey to find his heart's desire in the most romantic city in the world.
6-8 Years
9-12 Years
20 Pages
Step right into the biggest, fastest, and busiest place there is! Grand Central Station is buzzing with thousands of people hurrying, scurrying, and carrying out their daily routines. Chief of Police George Coppola is busy finding lost travelers, while Mr. Chidchester in the Lost and Found is busy rescuing lost dogs. Down in the dining concourse, Marino Marino is cooking up delicious oyster stew while solving tricky math problems in his head. Every corner of this massive train station holds a new surprise, a unique character, or a fascinating piece of history. Through bright colors and playful details, you will explore the brilliant architecture and the endless energy of a true New York City landmark. Take a wonderful journey through the crowds and discover the wonder, complexity, and sheer magic of a day at Grand Central.
6-8 Years
9-12 Years
39 Pages
Poppy Wise has mixed feelings about going to school, and her teachers certainly have mixed feelings about her dog, Pete. Pete is an insatiable canine gourmand who loves to eat absolutely everything in sight! When Pete decides to join Poppy in class, everyone knows it is going to be a very interesting day. First, Pete wreaks havoc during a math lesson. Then, he causes absolute chaos in science class when he accidentally swallows the teacher's microscope. Finally, he becomes a colorful star in art class by eating all the crayons! Things take an even wilder turn when Pete gets sent to the principal's office, swallows a whole set of encyclopedias, and suddenly starts speaking. Get ready for a perfectly hilarious school day packed with rambunctious fun, endless silliness, and a dog who literally devours knowledge.
6-8 Years
47 Pages
What are you going to be when you grow up? It is one of the biggest and most exciting questions you will ever answer. Step into a colorful and fantastical world filled with busy people doing all sorts of fascinating jobs. You will meet an incredible cast of characters, from chefs cooking comforting chicken soup to workers crafting sturdy boots, each dedicating their days to a special occupation. Through a lively chain of portraits, you will discover that the world is packed with endless possibilities and unique paths. Whether a job is ordinary or completely unusual, every single person plays a vital role in making the world spin. Explore this whimsical journey through the bustling streets of town life and let your imagination run wild as you dream about your own future adventures and the amazing things you might choose to do.
6-8 Years
9-12 Years
34 Pages
Pack your bags for a completely unforgettable adventure to Japan! Two curious children are heading across the globe, and they are taking you along to experience every new sight, sound, and surprise. Guided by a wonderfully funny and energetic spirit, you will explore the bustling streets of Tokyo, discover rich traditions, and meet plenty of eccentric characters along the way. From tasting unusual foods to trying out entirely new activities, this journey captures exactly how exciting and overwhelming travel can be when you are experiencing a different culture for the very first time. With lively language and wild, vibrant art that perfectly matches a child's imagination, this joyful expedition proves that learning about the world is the best kind of fun. Say sayonara to your ordinary routine and jump right into the trip of a lifetime!
6-8 Years
9-12 Years
32 Pages
If you were starting your very own museum, what wonderful things would you put in your collection? Discover the brilliant ways that design touches our everyday lives through thirty-one incredible objects from the Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum. You will go on a joyfully illustrated tour starting with A for Ah-ha and ending with the famous Zig-Zag chair. Along the way, you will find fascinating treasures ranging from a thirteenth-century silk thinking cap to vintage tin slippers complete with bows. Even a worn old boot holds a clever lesson about how things are made! Every object tells a unique story about history, creativity, and the human imagination. This playful alphabet journey proves that absolutely everything around us is design, encouraging you to look at your own room, house, and world with completely fresh and curious eyes.
6-8 Years
9-12 Years
56 Pages
Max is a dog with a very big dream. He wants nothing more than to live in Paris and become a famous poet. There is just one small problem: absolutely nobody wants to buy his poems, and he does not have a single penny to his name! But while he waits for his big break, life in New York City is actually pretty spectacular. In this jumping, jazzy city, Max hangs out with an amazing group of friends. Bruno is an artist who paints completely invisible pictures, and Marcello is a builder who designs upside-down houses. With a quick stop at Baby Henry's Candy Shop and the bustling rhythm of the streets keeping him inspired, Max realizes that following a big city dream is an incredible adventure. Get ready to cheer for a brilliant, poetry-writing dog who proves that creativity and good friends make you truly rich.
6-8 Years
9-12 Years
39 Pages
Nighttime is the absolute best time for stories, and a big sister named Lulu is the greatest storyteller around. When her little brother begs for a few tales before bed, Lulu opens up a world of pure, wild imagination. You will hear all about three cross-eyed dogs eating at a very fancy restaurant, magical blue and green mountains where fish soar through the sky, and a hilarious family party where Maishel Shmelkin completely forgot to wear his pants! There is even a pointy-nosed noodle woman waiting to make you laugh. These bedtime stories are short, sweet, and perfectly matched to the creative, sometimes bizarre way children dream. Dive into a wondrous, humor-filled world packed with outlandish characters, bittersweet memories, and soaring flights of fancy that will keep you delightfully entertained right until you fall asleep.
6-8 Years
9-12 Years
20 Pages
Spend a beautiful summer by the sea exploring the tiny, grand moments of life with a new family member. Based on the actual journal Maira Kalman kept during the first months with her granddaughter, this heartfelt story captures the everyday magic of a growing family. You will see the world through fresh eyes as you read about quiet beach walks, gentle discoveries, and the overwhelming love that surrounds a darling baby. Nothing makes an ordinary day more extraordinary than sharing it with someone small and new. It is a warm, tender look at how babies become the center of a family's universe.
6-8 Years
40 Pages
Max the millionaire dog-poet is about to become a father! His beloved wife Crepes is expecting puppies, and the impending responsibility has sent Max into a tailspin. Searching for the true meaning of life before his expanded family arrives, Max packs his bags and embarks on a completely wild journey all the way to exotic India. From the chaotic, colorful streets to the mysterious Temple of Doubletalk, Max encounters a world unlike anything he has ever seen. Along the way, he meets a remarkably chatty guru named Vivek Shabaza-zaza-za, who tries to help him figure out exactly what it means to be a good parent. Filled with bizarre adventures, brilliant colors, and deep thoughts, this trip proves that sometimes you have to travel across the globe to appreciate the family waiting for you back home.
6-8 Years
9-12 Years
39 Pages
Originally launched in 1931, the John J. Harvey was once the largest and most powerful fireboat of her time, protecting the waters of New York City for decades before proudly retiring. But a hero's job is never truly done. On September 11, 2001, when tragedy struck and the fire hydrants at Ground Zero became inoperable, the city desperately needed help. The fire department called the old John J. Harvey back into action. Pumping water straight from the Hudson River, the volunteer crew used sledgehammers to jam soda bottles and wood into broken nozzles just to keep the hoses working. Working tirelessly alongside the firefighters, this historic boat pumped vital water to the disaster site. Experience the deeply inspiring, true story of an underdog boat and the brave people who proved that courage and community can shine even on the darkest of days.
6-8 Years
9-12 Years
48 Pages
Abraham Lincoln is one of the most famous figures in history. His legacy is absolutely everywhere, from the penny in your pocket to the five-dollar bill, and we remain a united country today because he bravely helped hold the nation together. But who was he when he was not being the president? One curious little girl decides she desperately wants to find out. She discovers that our sixteenth president was a man who deeply believed in freedom for everyone. She also learns that he had a dog named Fido, loved listening to Mozart, adored eating crisp apples and his wife's vanilla cake, and actually kept his important notes tucked inside his tall hat! From his humble boyhood growing up in a tiny log cabin to his famous leadership during the Civil War, discover the remarkable, exciting, and deeply human life of a true American giant.
6-8 Years
9-12 Years
48 Pages
Step right up and take your seat, because the most spectacular circus is roaring straight into town! Based on the real-life, incredibly famous wire and wood circus created by the artist Alexander Calder, this magical book brings the big top vividly to life. You will witness a razzle-dazzle show filled with performing lions, daring acrobats, and gravity-defying trapeze artists, all constructed from wire, cork, and boundless imagination. Through beautiful photography and wildly energetic storytelling, you can almost hear the crowd cheering and the lions roaring as the miniature performers take center stage. This joyful celebration of art and performance captures the sheer wonder of the circus while introducing you to a true masterpiece of modern sculpture. Grab your ticket and prepare to be completely amazed by a miniature world where creativity knows absolutely no limits.
6-8 Years
9-12 Years
40 Pages
Ten Heroes Who Won Women the Right to Vote
Winning the right to vote was a monumental journey that took more than seventy years of passionate, unbreakable commitment. This deeply inspiring book introduces you to ten incredible women who raised their voices, demanded justice, and fought tirelessly to ensure American women could participate in democracy. You will read the powerful stories of famous leaders like Susan B. Anthony, Harriet Tubman, and Sojourner Truth, alongside lesser-known but equally heroic figures like Alice Paul, Jovita Idar, and Mary Church Terrell. These are heroes who dreamed big, dared to be entirely different, and absolutely never gave up the fight. Paired with gorgeous, vibrant portraits, each biography highlights a vital lesson about courage and the strength found in fighting together. Discover the incredible legacy of the suffragists and find the inspiration you need to raise your own voice and help build a brighter future for everyone.
6-8 Years
9-12 Years
22 Pages
When a brand new baby is finally brought home, the whole house completely buzzes with excitement! Aunts, uncles, and family friends gather around to admire the newest addition to the family, refusing to let the little one simply sleep. Big sisters and brothers come up with a wild, silly assortment of games just to keep the baby amused well past bedtime. Based on a famously upbeat song, this incredibly quirky story captures the joyful, chaotic energy that takes over a house when a newborn arrives. The bright, eccentric artwork brings the lively lyrics perfectly to life, celebrating the undeniable urge to bounce, play, and stay up late celebrating. Get ready for a wonderfully funny look at family life that perfectly understands the loud, loving mayhem of welcoming a baby.
6-8 Years
32 Pages
By
Maira Kalman and Daniel Handler
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Collected by
Sarah Hermanson Meister
●
With
Sarah Hermanson Meister
We are always told to stop and smell the roses, but what if you could smell the roses and still have time to finish all your errands before dinner? This whimsical and thought-provoking exploration captures people either constantly in motion or delightfully standing still. Through stunning photographs from The Museum of Modern Art, you will see people sprinting across streets, racing fast on bicycles, and leaping over giant puddles. On the very next page, you might find people forming long snaking lines, daydreaming on quiet park benches, or simply lingering on the sidewalk with their best friends. Paired with vibrant paintings and poetic observations, this book asks a very simple question: what is the rush? Take a fascinating look at the rhythm of everyday life and discover the hidden beauty in both taking action and patiently waiting.
6-8 Years
9-12 Years
64 Pages
By
Maira Kalman and Daniel Handler
●
Collected by
Sarah Hermanson Meister
●
With
Sarah Hermanson Meister
Can a simple picture truly capture the feeling of a warm spring breeze or the crisp smell of freshly fallen snow? This beautiful and evocative book takes you on a journey through the physical environments of our world, captured perfectly through the lens of a camera. Traveling from the rainy, gray streets of Paris to a sun-dappled swimming pool in Beverly Hills, and from steamy summer sidewalks in Brooklyn to quiet, snow-covered fields in Japan, you will discover that these images depict so much more than what first meets the eye. Paired with brilliant paintings and poetic words, this exploration reflects on the passing seasons, the power of memory, and how the atmosphere shapes our daily lives. Look closely at the world outside your window and discover the magic hidden in every single change of the weather.
6-8 Years
9-12 Years
64 Pages
