Swami on Rye

Max the dog's beloved wife Crepes is about to have puppies--and Max finds himself on a wild journey in India, returning home just in time to meet his expanded family

The hero of Max Makes a Million goes off on a wild search for the meaning of life that takes him to India, where he visits the Temple of Doubletalk, meets a chatty guru named Vivek Shabaza-zaza-za, and has other adventures."Kalman's tale is meant for tykes, but full-grown readers will love her lush drawings and whimsical wordplay, too." —Zoe Donaldson, O, The Oprah Magazine

“In his best venture so far, Max the dog searches for the Meaning of Life and finds several possibilities...[Kalman’s] writing is as funny and furiously paced as ever and her seemingly slapdash illustrations still sophisticated and childlike at once. She observes people, religions, and customs in witty but respectful ways, and as in Chicken Soup, Boots (1993), beneath all the silliness lurk important ideas, thoughtfully expressed.” —Kirkus Reviews, starred review

“[Kalman’s] witty, free-association writing style is enhanced to maximum effect by the varied, cleverly employed typography. A perfect union of place and palette, of dharma, (dog)ma and unsurpassed cosmological kookiness.” —Publishers Weekly, starred reviewMaira Kalman is an illustrator, author, and designer. She has created many covers for The New Yorker, including the famous map of New Yorkistan (with Rick Meyerowitz). Kalman’s children’s books include Max Makes a Million; Hey Willy, See the Pyramids; Max in Hollywood, Baby; and Ooh-la-la (Max in Love)—all available from The New York Review Children’s Collection. She also has designed fabric for Isaac Mizrahi, accessories for Kate Spade, sets for the Mark Morris Dance Company, and with her late husband, Tibor Kalman, under the M&Co. label, accessories for the Museum of Modern Art. Her work is shown at the Julie Saul Gallery.