Max and the Magic of Joy – Max Joy Inc. and Inspiring Books on Joy, Kindness, and Service

Max Roeker was pure joy in motion — an almost three-year-old whose smile would light up a room and whose laughter made the world brighter. In April of 2023, Max was diagnosed with leukemia, and just one month later, his brave battle ended far too soon. In that short time, his parents, Andy and Laura Roeker, made him a promise: the world would know who he was, and feel the joy he brought to everyone around him.

That promise became Max Joy Inc., a nonprofit dedicated to spreading joy to others in need — whether they are facing cancer or other illnesses, experiencing hardship, or simply in need of a heartfelt pick-me-up. Max Joy’s mission is rooted in the belief that even in life’s hardest moments, joy has the power to heal, connect, and inspire.

Today, Max Joy is proud to partner with Madison Reading Project to help share that joy through the gift of books. Through donations supporting the Books for Educators program and Little Free Libraries, we hope to put more stories of kindness, resilience, and hope into the hands of children and communities.

If you know someone whose days could use a little more light, Max is ready to help. Visit www.maxjoy.us and head to their Contact page — because Max would want nothing more than to share his joy with them, too.

The Madison Reading Project prides itself on spreading the love of reading wherever we go. We are excited to share some of our favorite books inspired by Max Joy and their commitment to sharing stories that uplift, inspire and connect people. 

Please visit our Bookshop for a complete list of book recommendations inspired by Max’s joyful spirit and the foundation created in his honor. You can get a sneak peek at some of the recommendations below. 

Kindness Makes Us Strong

Author/Illustrator: Sophie Beer | Publisher: Dial Books

Kindness is a friendly hello. A roaring cheer. A quick boost. Kindness is what makes us strong! This joyful board book shows various children as they extend kindness in all kinds of situations: on the playground, at lunchtime, on a bike path, and on a neighborhood street. This sweet preschool read-aloud shows the way kindness helps build friendship and community.

This book is part of the wonderful It’s Cool to be Kind series - don’t miss the latest addition, You’re Fabulous As You Are!

We Share This Neighborhood

Author: Dan Saks | Illustrator: Brooke Smart | Publisher: Rise x Penguin Workshop 

This formative board book is an appreciation of neighborhood communities and the many ways in which they help develop empathy, compassion, and collective responsibility. Through a handful of specific yet universal scenarios, set in four different kinds of communities (suburban, urban, rural, and manufactured home), young readers will understand what it means to be a part of a neighborhood community and celebrate how to share with and care for one another.

We Share This Neighborhood is part of the Community Books series by Dan Saks, and we love all of them!

Wherever You Go (An All Are Welcome Book)

Author: Alexandra Penfold | Illustrator: Suzanne Kaufman | Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers 

From the creators of the bestselling All Are Welcome comes a modern and inclusive picture book that celebrates the many milestones of a child's life ranging from a school play to graduation with an emphasis on kindness and community.

Paletero Man (¡Que Paletero Tan Cool!)

Author: Micah Player | Illustrator: Carmen Tafolla | Publisher: HarperCollins

Ring! Ring! Ring! Can you hear his call? Paletas for one! Paletas for all!

What’s the best way to cool off on a hot summer day? Run quick and find Paletero José!

Follow along with our narrator as he passes through his busy neighborhood in search of the Paletero Man. But when he finally catches up with him, our narrator’s pockets are empty. Oh no! What happened to his dinero? It will take the help of the entire community to get the tasty treat now.

Full of musicality, generosity, kindness, and ice pops, this book is sure to satisfy fans of Thank You, Omu! and Carmela Full of Wishes.

Includes Spanish words and phrases throughout, an author’s note from Lucky Diaz, and a link to a live version of the Lucky Band’s popular song that inspired the book.  

We Are the Builders! 

Author: Deepa Iyer | Illustrator: Romina Galotta | Publisher: Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers 

Told in warm, inviting rhyme, this gentle introduction to community organizing and finding your place in a movement is perfect for young readers of All Are Welcome and What Do You Do With an Idea?.

Punky Aloha

Author/Illustrator: Shar Tuiasoa | Publisher: HarperCollins

Punky loves to do a lot of things—except meeting new friends. She doesn’t feel brave enough.

So when her grandmother asks her to go out and grab butter for her famous banana bread, Punky hesitates. But with the help of her grandmother’s magical sunglasses, and with a lot of aloha in her heart, Punky sets off on a BIG adventure for the very first time.

Will she be able to get the butter for grandma?

Punky Aloha is a Polynesian girl who carries her culture in her heart and in everything she does. Kids will love to follow this fun character all over the island of O’ahu.

Big Tune: Rise of the Dancehall Prince

Author: Alliah L. Agostini | Illustrator: Shamar Knight-Justice | Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux

An exuberant picture book written by Alliah L. Agostini and illustrated by Shamar Knight-Justice is about a Black boy with big dancing dreams who learns the meaning of courage and community.

A Kids Book About Joy

Author: Shivantika Jain Kothari | Publisher: Kids book about

Joy is a funny emotion. Sometimes we think it's silly, or that it isn't important enough for big kids or grownups. But, guess what? Joy is a deeply meaningful emotion, which connects us to the larger world and guides us in positive ways. And, it's for all of us at any point in our lives.

Joyful Song: A Naming Song

Author: Leslea Newman | Illustrator: Susan Gal | Publisher: Levine Querido

What a happy day!

Zachary’s baby sister will have her naming ceremony. In the temple! With his moms, the congregation, and all their friends!

He’s so excited he can barely contain it. On the walk from their home, they meet neighbor after neighbor who want to know the baby’s name.

But ― not yet! ― his mothers tell him. The tradition is to have a great reveal at the ceremony. So they invite each neighbor to come along. A colorful, diverse parade blooms along the route, until… At last it’s time, and Zachary gets to reveal his sister’s name…

What is it?

A truly JOYFUL moment for everyone!

One Small Spark: A Tikkun Olam Story

Author: Ruth Spiro | Illustrator: Victoria Tentler-Krylov | Publisher: Dial Books

Imagine the world you want to live in. If it’s not the world you see, will you create it?

So begins a young girl’s journey to solve a problem she notices one rainy day while walking to school. In that moment, the small spark inside her grows and then connects her to others who are inspired to make a change and help the world become a better place.

Sea of Constellations (Oceano de constelaciones) 

Author: Melissa Cristina Marquez | Illustrator: Rocio Arreola Mendoza | Publisher: Penguin Workshop 

Touching upon the importance of sharing and kindness, this lovely picture book also introduces a beautiful ocean world and Aztec mythology to young readers.

The More You Give

Author: Marcy Campbell | Illustrator: Francesca Sanna | Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers 

A modern-day response to The Giving Tree, this lyrical picturebook shows how a family passes down love from generation to generation, leaving a legacy of growing both trees and community.

When Langston Dances 

Author: Kaija Langley | Illustrator: Keith Mallett | Publisher: Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers 

A young Black boy dreams of dancing in this exuberant, buoyant picture book celebrating the beauty of dance, and the wonder of Black Boy Joy—perfect for fans of Firebird and Crown!

Ordinary Mary’s Extraordinary Deed  

Author: Emily Pearson | Illustrator: Fumi Kosaka | Publisher: Gibbs Smith 

Can one child's good deed change the world? It can when she’s Ordinary Mary―an ordinary girl from an ordinary school, on her way to her ordinary house―who stumbles upon ordinary blueberries. When she decides to pick them for her neighbor, Mrs. Bishop, she starts a chain reaction that multiplies around the world.

Updated illustrations and endpapers are now paired with this beloved storyline as it stirs a whole new generation on to more random acts of kindness--proving one child's compassion and empathy really can change the world.