PPBF: Maximillian Villainous by Margaret Chu Greanias Illustrated by Lesley Breen Withrow

Title: Maximillian Villainous 

Author: Margaret Chiu Greanias
Illustrator: Lesley Breen Withrow
Publisher: Hachette Book Group/Running Press Kids, 2018

JACKET FLAP: Maximillian is a Villainous, but he's not villainous. Maximillian Villainous

doesn't have the heart to be a villain. While his famous family pulls pranks on the likes of

Santa Claus and the Tooth Fairy, Max spends his time undoing them. But he goes too far

when he brings home a bunny to be his sidekick. Max's disapproving mother challenges

Max and the bunny to be a devious duo; otherwise, the bunny hops. 

If they want to stay together, Max and the bunny have no choice but to go against their 

nature. Will they give in to villainy or will they find a way to stay good and still win the

family's acceptance? 

There are so many reasons I loved this book. First of all, I am a sucker for family portraits 

on the wall (#Truth) and books that start "____ came from a long line of ____." I always 

look forward to the creatives possibilities that come from that phrase. This time villains! 

I appreciate how Maximillian's unique character flaw causes him a host of icky problems. 

And how the sticky mess he gets in when he brings home a cute sidekick, which causes

this ultimatum... 

THREE VILLAINOUS TASKS FOR MAX:

1. Steal something. 

2. Make someone cry. 

3. Gain fame by being devious. 

The author so completely and cleverly sets up the ending via this challenge, and yet, you 

will be surprised by the sweet and satisfying ending. And that is just another reason why 

I am featuring Max and Bart and their story for Perfect Picture Book Friday. 

*.*.*.*

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Lynne Marie is the author of Hedgehog Goes to Kindergarten - illustrated by Anne Kennedy (Scholastic, 2011), Hedgehog's 100th Day of School – illustrated by Lorna Hussey (Scholastic, January 2017), The Star of the Christmas Play -- illustrated by Lorna Hussey (Beaming Books, 2018), Moldilocks and the 3 Scares -- illustrated by David Rodriguez Lorenzo (Sterling, pending) and Let's Eat! Mealtimes Around the World -- illustrated by Parwinder Singh (Beaming Books, 2019). You can learn more about her at www.LiterallyLynneMarie.com. 

To order the Star in the Christmas Play, click the title. Keep an eye out for MOLDILOCKS AND THE THREE SCARES, coming in August, from Sterling Children's Books!