Max Talks to Me

By Claire Buchwald; Illustrated by Karen Ritz

Illustration of a young boy and a dog lying on the floor, facing each other, with the title "Max Talks to Me" and authors Claire Buchwald and Karen Ritz.

Max Talks to Me is a heartwarming story about the deep, meaningful bond between a boy and his dog. Alex and Max are more than just companions—they're best friends who celebrate together, comfort each other in hard times, and learn how to communicate in their own special way. As Alex begins to understand that friendship goes both ways, he discovers that listening, observing, and caring are all part of loving someone, especially when that someone is a loyal dog like Max.

This gentle, beautifully illustrated picture book not only tells a sweet and relatable story but also introduces young readers to the basics of animal communication and empathy. Parents will appreciate the thoughtful insights on the dog-child connection, while children will fall in love with Max and Alex’s everyday adventures—a story they'll want to return to again and again.

Barnes and Noble
Bookshop
Indiepubs
Amazon
Classroom Guide

  • Dogs, Friendship

  • 24 Pages

  • Hardcover

  • 3-7 Years

  • Kindergarten - 2nd Grade

  • 0940719037

  • 9780940719033

A young boy with short blonde hair and a blue shirt sitting on the ground, smiling with eyes closed, resting his head on his hand, next to a large tan German Shepherd dog wearing a blue bandana, both appearing happy and close.
A collage of various animals and people, including dogs, cats, birds, and children, in a horizontal strip at the top of the image.
Watercolor illustration of a dog with a blue bandana around its neck, looking to the right.

Awards & Honors

Gold circular award medal with black text for Humanity Society Youth HONOR BOOK 2008, in the center is bold text for KIND Children's Book Award.

Recipient of the 2008 Humane Society of the United States KIND Honor Book Award for Best Children's Picture Book

Watercolor painting of a tan dog with large ears, wearing a blue bandana.
A collage of various animal images and characters in a horizontal strip.

Reviews

  • Bonnie Jean Flom (Educational Consultant, Former Elementary School Principal)

    “In Max Talks to Me, Claire Buchwald brilliantly shares a story of love and devotion between a child and his beloved furry friend and the caring behaviors that allow such a rich relationship to develop. This heartwarming account, with illustrations that capture the essence of their special friendship, will make a fine addition to my grandson’s (and any child’s) bookshelf!”

A young boy walking a dog on a leash, with a poem about a dog named Max beside the illustration.
Illustration of a young boy walking a dog on a leash, with the dog sniffing the ground. The dog is wearing a blue bandana, and the boy is smiling and wearing shorts, a t-shirt, and a backpack. The text on the page discusses how dogs can smell things
Illustration of two boys playing with their dogs, with a large, colorful dragon kite in the background. The boy on the left has red hair, wears glasses, and a bandana, and is holding the kite string while a dog with a blue bandana runs nearby. The bo
Watercolor illustration of a boy lying on grass and looking up at clouds with a dog resting nearby, grass and sky background, accompanied by the text 'Sometimes, we just lie in the grass and look up at the clouds.'
A young boy with brown hair lying on a green couch with his arm around a sleeping dog, which has tan fur and is wearing a blue bandana. The boy is resting with his eyes closed and one hand on his temple.
A young boy hugging a dog, both looking at each other affectionately. The boy is smiling and has his arms around the dog, who wears a blue bandana. There is a quote overlaying the image about friendship and listening.