Sophie Blackall has illustrated more than thirty books, including the New York Times Best Illustrated Children's Books Big Red Lollipop and The Baby Tree, which she also wrote. Born in Australia, Sophie lives in Brooklyn with her children, Olive and Edward.Sophie Blackall has illustrated more than thirty books, including Finding Winnie, for which she won the Caldecott medal, and the New York Times Best Illustrated books Big Red Lollipop and The Baby Tree, which she also wrote. Born in Australia, Sophie lives in Brooklyn with her children Olive and Edward.

AWARD-WINNING, NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLKING AUTHOR-ILLUSTRATOR: Sophie received Caldecott Medals for Hello Lighthouse and Finding Winnie (by Lindsay Mattick), which was also a #1 New York Times bestseller.

DROLL, EXPRESSIVE ILLUSTRATIONS: Sophie's unique and wonderful sense of humor is on display in the body language and facial expressions of all the characters, both human and feline.

CAT LOVERS WILL RELATE to Max's finicky habits and refusal to bend to any human's whims.

ENDEARING NEW PET STORY: Max's boy never judges or gives up on his pet and respects his individuality.

CELEBRATES THE MISFITS AMONG US: Max isn't like other cats, and his owner feels misunderstood because he has trouble reading, but eventually these two outsiders form a special, positive bond.

BENEFITS OF READING TO PETS: Includes an author's note about the benefits of kids reading to animals.

PROMOTES ADOPTING FROM SHELTERS: Max comes from an animal shelter, where his owner and his classmates end up returning to read to all the shelter cats.

IMPORTANCE OF GIVING SECOND CHANCES: The little boy looks beyond first impressions and chooses to believe in Max instead, and eventually is rewarded for it.