Max and Chaffy: Welcome to Animal Island
Max and Chaffy Series
What’s inside...
Jamie Smart’s full-colour graphic novel follows puzzle-lover Max who is shipwrecked on the exuberant Animal Island, a place packed with talkative animals, buzzing markets and hidden nooks. There she meets Chaffy, a tiny, fluffy creature who is hopelessly lost. Together, Max and her new friend embark on a hunt to find Chaffy’s family, solving riddles, spotting clues hidden in bustling double-page spreads and helping the islanders with their own problems along the way. The book blends comic-strip action with search-and-find challenges, encouraging readers to slow down, observe and participate in the story’s solution-seeking spirit.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
5-8
Length
128 pages
Text complexity
Character compass
Max
Chaffy
Discussion points
How did Max show kindness to Chaffy?
Which clue was hardest for you to find and why?
Why is it important to ask for help when lost?
What would you add to Animal Island if you lived there?
Tip: Role play these questions
Take turns spotting clues to model cooperative problem-solving.
Relate Max’s perseverance to real-life tasks children sometimes find tricky.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Helping those in need
Explanation: Max prioritises Chaffy’s safety over her own plans.
Real-World Application: Children learn to assist classmates who feel left out.
Example Lesson: Perseverance
Explanation: Each puzzle requires multiple attempts before success.
Real-World Application: Kids see the value of sticking with challenging tasks.
Example Lesson: Teamwork
Explanation: Islanders share information and resources to solve clues.
Real-World Application: Encourages cooperative play and project collaboration.