The World of Maxime

The World of Maxime by Lucile de Pesloüan & illustrated by Jacques Goldstyn (Aldana Libros Greystone Kids) PB RRP AU$29.99 ISBN 978 1 77840 054 4

Reviewed by Robyn Gillies

Maxime is 10 years old, and her favourite things are her books and her cat Tumeric. She feels life is regimented, always having to do what others want to fit in. She finds it hard to make friends as she feels different and the loud noises they make hurts her ears. Maxime reads while she is eating breakfast, when she finishes her class activities before other students, during recess and lunch, after school and under the covers with her torch when she is meant to be asleep. She tells Tumeric about her school day and what she is thinking. Tumeric doesn’t tell her what to do and doesn’t judge her. But there is a new girl at school who is reading one of Maxime’s favourite books Matilda. Maxime would like to make friends with her, but she doesn’t know what to do.

On the way home from school one day, she sees some mysterious bowls hiding in the bushes with kitty food. How did they get there! She dresses as a detective to solve the mystery and meets Catamou, an old lady who knows all about cats and how to help those that don’t have their own home. Together they discover that not all people judge you for being different. Catamou helps Maxime with ideas on how to approach the new girl in school. Can she face her fear and discover a new friend?

This is a lovely story set in Canada about being different, friendship - including intergenerational -- and of the rewards that facing your fears can bring when you find things in common with each other.

The complementary theme of the importance of pets in a child’s life is understated but is so important to Maxime’s life and adds richness and depth to the story.

This is a picture book for older children aged 7-10 years. The book is 103 pages but is filled with Indian ink, watercolour, pencil and coloured ink illustrations that are full of life and tell their own story of the neighbourhood in which Maxime lives.

There is an afterword which provides some helpful hints about what to do if you come across cats that you think could be lost or injured. Albeit they are in the Canadian context, they mostly apply to an Australian environment.

This story was originally published in French in 2022 and translated into English for publication in 2025.

The quality of the hard cover is beautiful and feels like satin in your hands. The book is a lovely read.