Do you want a cute story in a series that helps you to enjoy reading for the aged 6 to 9 (younger 10)? Max and Chaffy: Search for the Ice Chaffy by Jamie Smart is the book you. For the child reader, you should read the first ones, but an adult can pick up things quickly. The fun part is that there are hide and seeks added. The colors are bold and details minimal, but keeps things moving along, while having fun reading.
I did not realize that this book was book three in the series. I read it (and will hopefully read the other two as well) via online reader copies. It looks like Max and Chaffy: Welcome to Animal Island is due in May 2025 and Max and Chaffy: The Great Cupcake Mystery is due in August 2025, whereas Max and Chaffy: Search for the Ice Chaffy is due in November 2025.
I am going to assume I can say: These books are all cute, easy to read (though with help for the younger readers) and could be read aloud. They do not seem to lend themselves to a group read, but the one-on-one aspect will be perfect for the hide and seek parts. The first ones are in the story itself (can you find the character Chaffy: a warm fluffy fluffer) and the last one is can you find some birds (answers in the back on this one). There is also a concept of cause and affect (the characters need a shovel, but person A does not have it, so they need to go to B, and B will let you borrow it as soon as they find their ladder, so you find the ladder….and so forth). Then there is a concept of friendship, working together and other problem solving. One of the modern twists to a classic friendship and adventure story is that Max is nonbinary, but it is not mentioned. You are able to fill in what you want for a gender (or not).
Overall, it is a nice book and I am going to assume the series as well. I think I’ll stick with the first three and not go onto more, because as of right now graphic novel three does go to the edge of way too sweet sometimes and you can have too much of too sugary sweet things!