Facebook Twitter Instagram Pinterest LinkedIn YouTube
    • Home
    • Submission Guidelines
    • Media Kit
    • About
    • Contact
    Facebook Twitter Instagram Pinterest TikTok
    The Children's Book Review
    Subscribe
    • Books by Subject
    • Books by Age
      • Ages 0-3, Infant and Toddler
      • Ages 4-8, Preschool to Elementary
      • Ages 9-12, Preteen and Tween
      • Ages 12+, Teen and Young Adult
      • Books for First Grade Readers
      • Books for Second Grade Readers
      • Books for Third Grade Readers
    • Favorites
      • Diverse and Inclusive Books
      • Books About Activism
      • Best Books for Kids
      • Star Wars Books
      • Board Books
      • Books About Mindfulness
      • Dr. Seuss Books
    • Showcase
    • Interviews
      • Growing Readers Podcast
      • Author Interviews and Q&A
      • Illustrator Interviews
    • Kids’ Book Giveaways
    • Directory
    • Podcast
    The Children's Book Review

    Margaret Greanias, Author of Maximillian Villainous | Selfie And A Shelfie

    Bianca SchulzeBy Bianca Schulze4 Mins Read Ages 4-8 Best Kids Stories Picture Books Social Graces
    Margaret-Greanias-Author-Illustrator-of-Maximillian-Villainous-Selfie-And-A-Shelfie
    Share
    Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Email

    The Children’s Book Review | September 21, 2018

    Margaret Greanias’ Selfie with Maximillian Villainous

    Here I am in my “office” where I steal a minute here or there to scribble out pieces of stories. I actually think best when I’m doing something mundane—like washing dishes, boiling spaghetti, or jogging around the neighborhood, etc. This was the birthplace of MAXIMILLIAN VILLAINOUS.

    Margaret-Greanias-selfie

    MAXIMILLIAN VILLAINOUS is my debut book picture book illustrated by the amazing Lesley Breen Withrow who made Max and his family into adorably villainous characters. The story is about a young monster, born into a famous villainous family, who doesn’t quite have the heart to be a villain. When Max brings home a bunny to be his sidekick, his disapproving family challenges them to be a devious duo. Otherwise… the bunny hops.

    Margaret Greanias’ Shelfie

    Margaret Greanias Picture Books on Desk

    This “bookshelf” is on my desk. As you can see, I get no work done here at all. But these are some of my favorite books–the ones I refer to when I’m writing whether for mentoring, craft, or inspiration. From these books, I think you might surmise that I’m mostly drawn to picture books with humor and heart (but not exclusively–see if you can spot the lyrical ones). You might also surmise that I am dabbling in the longer form from some of my craft books and other non-picture books stacked on my desk.

    book-basket

    This is my book basket that is perpetually overflowing with books from the library. I check out mostly new releases to keep up-to-date on what’s being published. But I also check out potential mentor texts, books that have gotten lots of buzz or won awards, and of course, books that my 4 year old picks out. In this basket are books I’ve checked out to explore five different book ideas. Can you guess what kind of book(s) I’m working on next?

    —

    Maximillian VillainousMaximillian Villainous

    Written by Margaret Greanias

    Illustrated by Lesley Breen Withrow

    Publisher’s Synopsis: For anyone who loved Leonardo, the Terrible Monster, this is a humorous and important book about learning to follow your heart and proving that kindness can outweigh villainy any day.

    Maximillian Villainous is a monster who doesn’t have the heart to be a villain. His famous family pulls pranks on the likes of Santa Claus and the Tooth Fairy, and Max spends his time undoing them. So when he brings home a bunny to be his sidekick, Max’s disapproving mother hatches a plan. She challenges Max and the bunny to become a devious duo; otherwise . . . the bunny hops. If they want to stay together, Max and the bunny have no choice but to go against their nature. They blunder into villainy with comical effect until Max discovers that embracing his good heart may just be the key to pulling off the most devious deed of all and winning his family’s acceptance.

    Delightfully fun and irreverent, Maximillian Villainous is an empowering story about embracing one’s true self and finding acceptance. Up and coming illustrator Lesley Breen Withrow brings the characters to life with bold and colorful illustrations in a style reminiscent of Richard Scarry.

    Ages 4-8 | Publisher: Running Press Kids | August 28, 2018 | ISBN-13: 978-0762462971

    Available Here

    Text, logoBuy on AmazonLogo

    About the Author

    Margaret Greanias wrote her first terrifically terrible book in fourth grade. From grade school through college, she suffered through English—she was especially bad at analyzing stories and writing essays. Then, during her very last year of college, she took a creative writing class and discovered she loved writing. Despite this, it wasn’t until her second child was born that she remembered her love of children’s books. She’s been writing ever since. She currently lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with her husband, three children, and a fluffle of dust bunnies.

    MargaretGreanias.com/ | Facebook | Twitter |  Instagram

    Discover more books like “Maximillian Villainous,” written by Margaret Greanias and illustrated by Lesley Breen Withrow, by checking out our reviews and articles tagged with Kindness, Monsters, Picture Book, and Self-Acceptance; and be sure to follow along with our Selfie and a Shelfie series.

    How You Support The Children's Book Review
    We may receive a small commission from purchases made via the links on this page. If you discover a book or product of interest on this page and use the links provided to make a purchase, you will help support our mission to 'Grow Readers.' Your support means we can keep delivering quality content that's available to all. Thank you!
    Kindness Lesley Breen Withrow Margaret Greanias Monsters Picture Book Self-acceptance Selfie and a Shelfie
    Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email
    Previous ArticleAn Interview with Denise Dufala, Journalist Turned Author
    Next Article Learn to Draw with Whitney Gardner, Author-Illustrator of Fake Blood
    Bianca Schulze
    • Website
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • LinkedIn

    Bianca Schulze is the founder of The Children’s Book Review. She is a reader, reviewer, mother and children’s book lover. She also has a decade’s worth of experience working with children in the great outdoors. Combined with her love of books and experience as a children’s specialist bookseller, the goal is to share her passion for children’s literature to grow readers. Born and raised in Sydney, Australia, she now lives with her husband and three children near Boulder, Colorado.

    Leave A Reply Cancel Reply

    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    TCBR Supporter
    Recent Articles
    • Escape the Mummy’s Tomb: Crack The Codes, Solve The Puzzles, And Make Your Escape! | Book Review
    • Chick and Brain: Egg or Eyeball? | Book Review
    • The Best Books to Read After the Percy Jackson Series
    • Mona Lisa in New York | Book Review
    • The Runaway Snowball, by Justin Robin | Dedicated Review
    TCBR Supporters
    sponsored | become a TCBR supporter today
    sponsored | become a TCBR supporter today

    sponsored | become a TCBR supporter today
    sponsored | become a TCBR supporter today
    Discover Kids Books by Age
    Best Books For Kids
    Media Kit: The Children's Book Review
    Author and Illustrator Showcase
    SEARCH
    BOOKS BY SUBJECT
    Archives
    Facebook Twitter Instagram Pinterest YouTube LinkedIn TikTok
    • Book Shop
    • Policies
    • Media Kit
    • Buzzworthy Mentions on the Path to Growing Readers!
    • About TCBR
    © 2023 The Children’s Book Review. All rights reserved.

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.