  | Full Text Reviews: School Library Journal - 04/01/2018 PreS-Gr 2—A charming story about a trip to the grocery store that will resonate with children and adults. Max, like many children, does not like going food shopping with his mom. In fact, he'd even use water instead of milk with his cereal to avoid the dreaded trip to the supermarket. When his excuses to avoid the trip don't work, he makes the most of it, starting with finding the right cart. Highlights of the excursion include a free sample, but Max also gets into "bored child" mischief during the visit. He even helps his mom by trying to add things to the cart that won't pass muster. Illustrations are bright, colorful, and fun. For example, there is a map that shows his mom's shopping route that includes attention to practically every item in the store and his a mere beeline to the cookie section. The artwork is positive, making light of the drudgery that may accompany a grocery store visit. VERDICT Simple text and the subject matter make this a good selection for a different kind of storytime. It also works for families at home and lends itself to discussion.—Robin Sofge, Prince William Public Library System, VA - Copyright 2018 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission. Booklist - 04/15/2018 A trip to the grocery store is pretty routine, but McAnulty and Hocking breathe fresh new life into the chore by presenting it from the perspective of an irrepressible kid. First, Max talks about all the signs indicating that a grocery run is on the horizon; then he offers advice on important preparatory steps, like picking the right cart and choosing the best route. Max is an amiable guide, offering helpful tips on grocery store mastery: “When you get to the pet-food aisle, always grab a bag of dog food. Even if you don’t have a dog. I figure it’s just one step closer to getting one.” Through the simple task of grocery shopping, Max’s and his mom’s personalities charmingly come through: mischievous Max pushes his luck, but his no-nonsense mom knows just what he’s playing at. Hocking’s colored-pencil artwork charmingly evokes classic grocery store sights, like pyramids of apples, endless breakfast cereal selections, and the eye-catching allure of live lobsters for sale. Playful and relatable. - Copyright 2018 Booklist. Loading...
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