Max a Little Axolotl: Breaking Out – written and illustrated by Joey Spiotta
Graphix (Scholastic), 2026
This is the second in the series about an endearing axolotl and his friends. Max has become acclimated to his aquarium home. With pizza day, their teacher, Mr. Tecu, imparting crucial information about ecosystems, and his multiple species of aquatic friends, life is pretty comfortable. When another axolotl, Nayeli, arrives, she is less accepting of captivity, even with all the amenities.
Joey Spiotta has been a concept artist in animation; if some of the endearing creatures who interact with him remind you of Nemo, or older personified animals like Archimedes the Owl (The Sword in the Stone), that friendly aesthetic might be the reason.
The old fish who can’t find his glasses, or remember Nayeli’s name, personifies kindness. Teddy/Uncle T-Bone is an enterprising crustacean who sells junk, as well as algae smoothies, figuring that “you gotta diversify if’n you wanna run a successful business.”
When Max and friends finally locate Nayeli, he patiently explains the scary truth to her: axolotls are an endangered species who can only survive in a protected environment. The truth dawns on her. “I …can’t go home,” is a heartbreaking reality, especially followed by Max’s confirmation that “there’s nothing to go back to.” Just when you might think this bleak reality is the end of the story, Nayeli learns that a safely constructed habitat that looks and feels like home is enough for the present. As Mr. Tecu admits, “change can be hard.” Spiotta’s helpful list of “Facts-olotl” concludes the story, contextualizing both the incredible value of this small salamander, and why Max and Nayeli require protection, at least for now.
