MAX, A LITTLE AXOLOTL #1

An uncertain amphibian receives an education.

Max’s habitat is under attack, and as his story begins, the little axolotl is swept up to safety, taken to the Aquarium of the Bay, and placed into an enclosure with other aquatic animals including turtles, fish, snails, and shrimp. They have a school (get it?), and Max begins his marine education, nervously trying to fit in. While playing, he accidentally kicks a ball into a spooky cave, where a water monster is rumored to keep all who enter from leaving. Though ominous-sounding, the creature turns out to simply be another shy axolotl. This older, wiser amphibian educates Max on the mythical Aztec heritage of their species, and the two find kinship while educating fellow aquarium dwellers about what makes axolotls unique. Bubble-eyed Max is adorable, but long stretches of dialogue-heavy panels with little variation in page composition or layout make for a tedious reading experience, though Max’s foray into the inky-dark cave and a stylized recounting of Aztec legend offer greater visual interest. The premise—a newcomer encountering anxieties as he attempts to adapt to a strange environment—is relatable, and the axolotl facts will intrigue animal lovers, but on the whole, the narrative drags.

Cute but clunky.