Maggie Merritt’s Silly-Sweet Stories

Messy Max

A silly-sweet story about big imaginations, messy rooms, and learning that every toy has its place.

Published by My Child Grows Publishing

Messy Max: A Silly Sweet Story About Cleaning Up. The finished cover, with Max and Buddy surrounded by toys. — Written and illustrated by Maggie Merritt

A cleanup adventure!

Story Preview

A Big Imagination. An Even Bigger Mess.

Max loves toys, games, blocks, trucks, and big adventures. But when his toys pile higher and higher, even Buddy can barely find a place to play.

With his furry friend beside him, Max learns to sort, stack, and put everything where it belongs—and discovers that taking care of his toys can be part of the fun.

“Max loves to play—but sooner or later, every adventure needs a cleanup.”

Playful Rhyming Story

A lively read-aloud filled with playful rhymes, humor, and heart.

Perfect for Ages 3–7

Made for preschoolers and young readers who love playful characters and funny adventures.

A Positive Message

Encourages children to clean up, work together, and take care of their belongings.

Peek Inside

A little play. A lot of imagination.

Step into Max and Buddy’s world with two illustrations from the book.

Max floats his red sailboat in Buddy’s water bowl while toys scatter across the rug. — A sailboat, a water bowl, and one surprised Buddy.

Max adds to a mountain of toys while Buddy sits beside his buried bed and red ball. — When the toys take over, even Buddy needs a little room.

Max and Buddy playing together in their cozy playroom

Meet Max!

Who is Messy Max?

Big Imagination.
One Very Messy Room.

Max is a fun-loving little boy who can turn blocks, trucks, and toys into almost anything. He loves building, racing, pretending, and playing with Buddy. But when the toys take over his room, Max learns that putting everything in its place makes it easier to play, imagine, and have fun.

From My Child Grows Publishing

Book Two in Maggie Merritt’s Silly-Sweet Stories

Messy Max is the second book in Maggie Merritt’s Silly-Sweet Stories, a playful picture-book series that helps young children navigate familiar childhood challenges with humor, heart, and lovable characters.

Free Printable Activities

Keep the adventure going.

Find favorite toys, sort the jumble, and celebrate a little teamwork. Free for families and classrooms. No signup needed.

Preview of a full-color find-it activity using Max’s messy playroom

4 pages · Color · US Letter landscape

Buddy’s Find-It Adventure

Search two book scenes for the sailboat, red ball, and other favorite toys. Picture checklists and answer keys included.

Download Find-It PDF

Preview of Max’s sorting and counting activity

3 pages · Color · US Letter landscape

Sort, Count & Match With Max

Match toys to their homes, count playful groups, and spot matching pictures. Includes answers for grown-ups.

Download Sorting PDF

Preview of a cleanup checklist with pictures of Max’s toys

4 pages · Color · US Letter landscape

Max’s Cleanup Challenge

A picture checklist, five-day helper chart, toy-bin labels, and a Little Helper certificate to celebrate working together.

Download Cleanup PDF

Print in color on US Letter paper, landscape, with “Fit to page” selected. Grown-ups can read the prompts and help with cutting.

View Messy Max on Amazon

Get Updates About Messy Max

Be the first to hear about the book’s release, availability, and other news from Maggie Merritt.