Max and Ruby are both baking cakes for their grandmother's birthday. Fussy Ruby's kitchen habits, of course, are neat and precise, in spite of the fact that Max keeps getting in the way. He continually spills Ruby's ingredients, requiring Ruby to write shopping list after shopping list for Max to take to the store for replacements. To each list Max adds his own desired ingredient: "Red-Hot Marshmallow Squirters." Unfortunately, the grocer is unable to decipher Max's own scrawl, nor does he even recognize it as handwriting. Luckily Max, who has had plenty of opportunities to try his hand, finally figures out a way to get his message across. Persistence pays off in this funny, child-centered story rooted in the contrast of characters. (Ages 3-7) Highly Commended, Charlotte Zolotow Award