Maxi the Little Taxi, written by Elizabeth Upton, reviewed by Klaudia Janek

Student Reviewer: Max A.
Summary: Maxi the Little Taxi is a hopeful, new employee at his new taxi service job. Throughout his first day, he experiences the lows and highs on the streets, all a part of his new occupation. At first, Maxi is very optimistic and happy as he rolls down the streets clean and readily available for customers. He has a blast roaming through the city, splashing in puddles and being dirtied by customers and birds as he zooms along. Though he has a great time roaming the city and getting dirty, he soon realizes that he is unclean when another taxi, squeaky clean and all, shows him up with her clean figure. Maxi realizes that people start avoiding him because he is filthy and weeps as he receives no customers. Soon enough though, one family decides to give Maxi a chance and gives him a car wash which makes Maxi squeaky clean once again and happier than ever. As Maxi returns back home, he is fully content and tells his buddy about his adventures and car wash from the day. The story ends as Maxi goes to bed feeling clean and fulfilled from his first day of work.

Straight Talk for Librarians: The text which includes rhyme creates a catchy, happy feel to the story. Though there is conflict within the story, it is resolved by the end which makes for a good outcome. Simple language makes this book an easy read for young readers. Emotion is also involved which can connect/teach young readers about emotion and conflict. The personification of the cars creates a light, playful tone which connects closely to the plot and other elements of the story as the cars share emotions and hidden dialogue. This book could be used as a fun read-aloud for younger audiences in school or in a library. The glossy, colorful pictures create imagery as they relate to the text, so the reader will get the full experience of what Maxi is feeling. These colors and cartoonish designs make for a simple, yet playful tone that connects closely with happiness and sadness. This book could be read aloud in class or be used in a free/independent read. Readers who are interested in taxis will be overjoyed to find this book and experience the setting of noisy city streets. There is a lot of car-related vocabulary. Readers will also experience onomatopoeia throughout the text that they will have fun with.