Maxine

Maxine contributes to the ‘it’s okay to be different’ genre, empowering its young female character with her own strengths; she is exceedingly bright, and gently pushes the boundaries of tradition, reminding her mother that ‘things will always be changing’. The book, like many of Graham’s others, features a positive representation of a loving and supportive family of likeable, distinctive characters...Graham is unquestionably Australian picture book royalty * Books and Publishing * Bob Graham infuses a little bit of life’s magic into every one of his books. We first met the Superhero family in Graham’s 2005 picture book, Max. Now Max is about to become a big brother and everyone’s excited. Baby Maxine arrives and she’s born wearing her superhero mask. She’s a perfect fit for the Superhero family. As Maxine grows, she discovers that maybe, just maybe, there’s more to her life than what was expected of her. But can she be true to herself and not let her family down? Accepting change is often challenging, especially when families are concerned. As always, Graham tackles big issues such as this, with loving care. His writing is purposeful and inspires hope and joy. Maxine is a beautiful tale of accepting change and finding your true self. -- Fiona Miller-Stevens * Reading Time * In Bob Graham’s latest, Max and his parents – Superhero Madam Thunderbolt and Captain Lightning – are a famous crime-fighting family waiting for the arrival of their baby. Maxine, born on the stroke of midnight, is not like other kids, and as she grows up and starts school, she realises just how different she really is. Maxine (Walker Books) is a story about self-empowerment, finding your way and encouraging young readers to stick to it, no matter what. -- Frances Atkinson * Sydney Morning Herald *