It doesn’t matter what season it is because Max will always find a way to create mischief. And his older sister Ruby will find some way to gently boss him around and make him do what she thinks is the proper way of doing things. This is the formula that is seen in every episode but somehow it works. It’s no different for Springtime for Max & Ruby that sees these two bunny siblings continue with their antics in this DVD collection

EPISODE ONE
It’s Easter time and the two bunnies are excited about getting chocolates from the Easter bunny. Max sees a chocolate chicken left in the birdbath and is ready to eat it but Ruby insists they go on an egg hunt before he does. Obviously there is a difference of opinion in “Max’s Chocolate Chicken.” In “Ruby’s Beauty Shop,” Ruby and Louise decide to pretend they own a salon and use Max as a reluctant customer. “Max Drives Away” has Max deciding to drive to Grandma’s house to have ice cream for breakfast with Ruby in hot pursuit.

EPISODE TWO
Max and Ruby have a camp out and pitch up a tent but Max rather sleep outside instead of inside the tent in “Camp Out.” In “Ruby’s Clubhouse,” Ruby and Louise decide to build a clubhouse. Max thinks he can use it while they are not there but finds out that’s not the case at all. “Max’s Picnic” has Max longing for his cupcake but Ruby and Louise are too busy birdwatching.

EPISODE THREE
“Ruby’s Merit Badge” has Ruby trying to earn her First Aid merit badge and uses Max as her subject matter. But she gets a merit badge that no one expects at all. Max gets inspired to by a song to create some apple pie but can’t figure out how to do it in “Max’s Apple.” Max and Ruby go to Mrs. Huffington’s house to play while Baby Huffington is napping, but instead of playing quietly Max wants to listen to the radio in “Quiet, Max!”

EPISODE FOUR
Ruby and Max are going to Louise’s house to play, but Max rather stay at home. In the process they keep missing the bus in “Max Misses the Bus.” Ruby wants to plant marigolds in the garden but it’s in the same spot Max wants to create his famous worm cake. It’s a battle of positioning in “Max’s Worm Cake.” When it starts to rain. Max wants to play outside. However, Ruby wants to make sure they are both dressed properly before going outside but by the time they are ready the rain stops in “Max’s Rainy Day.”

These are simple stories with each tale lasting around 8 minutes long. It usually has Max wanting to do his own thing different from what Ruby sets out to do. This usually ends up with Max sneaking off and getting into mischief while Ruby gets exasperated with his antics.

The DVD advertises that there are six regular shows with six bonus shows. Quite honestly, there’s nothing different about the bonus stories since they are of the same length and theme. I guess it’s a marketing ploy to think you are getting a deal when most of the time these DVD sets contain exactly twelve tales in total.

The animation is bold and simple. It’s a bit choppy at times but I think that’s deliberate in order to create a certain style. In a way it reminds me of how South Park is animated with jerky movement but not as stilted as that show.

Springtime for Max & Ruby is just pure fun. My son is still fascinated with this duo. He will stop whatever he is doing when this comes on television to sit and quietly watch these shows. It’s a good thing we have a few DVDs containing these characters because it’s just entertaining for him with messages that he can grasp and understand.


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Related Reviews
A Merry Bunny Christmas  ||  Berry Bunny Adventures  ||  Easter with Max & Ruby   ||  Playtime with Max & Ruby  ||  Summertime with Max & Ruby


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***This is part of both my 2012 Funny Pages and 2012 Canadiana Write-Offs. Come join the festivities until the end of July.

COMIC BOOK FACT: The company was named after Nelvana of the Northern Lights, a Canadian comic book character and the first Canadian national superhero.

CANADIAN FACT: Max & Ruby is produced by Nelvana Limited based out of Toronto, Ontario.

Recommended: Yes

Viewing Format: DVD