Description The First-Ever Publication of the Provensens' Unreleased Picture Book The Essence of an Analog Picture Book, Full of Handmade Charm "The Secret of Max the Cat" began as an unpublished dummy book created by husband-and-wife artists Alice and Martin Provensen. The couple painted the illustrations themselves using watercolor and ink, adding their own handwriting throughout. However, it remained unpublished for many years, existing only in dummy book form. After the couple passed away, their daughter, Karen Provensen Mitchell, brought her parents' wonderful work back to life as a complete picture book. "The Secret of Max the Cat" preserves the analog warmth of decades past, capturing a beauty found only in handmade work—something no digital process could replicate. The book showcases masterful artistry and refined design sensibility, reflecting the Provensens' belief that picture book making is one of the few remaining fields where traditional, handcrafted methods still hold true value. To preserve the book's analog charm, the couple's original handwriting was kept intact throughout the story. The lettering design studio YaniGuille&Co carefully studied the Provensens' actual handwriting and faithfully recreated it. On the cover, alongside the original title, you can see the Provensens' own elegant handwriting. Legends of the Picture Book World: Alice and Martin Provensen Beloved by Caldecott and The New York Times Alice and Martin Provensen were husband and wife as well as a collaborative illustrating team. Together, they wrote and illustrated countless children's books over many decades. Having previously worked at an animation studio, the couple moved to New York after the war and began illustrating for the Little Golden Books series. One of the books they created during this time was "The Color Kittens" by Margaret Wise Brown. It was also around this period that Martin designed Tony the Tiger, the beloved mascot of Kellogg's still recognized by readers today. This work marked the beginning of their dedicated careers as picture book illustrators. Drawing on their animation background, the Provensens created picture books with bold linework, lively brushstrokes, and concise yet playful storytelling. Their books, combining striking artwork with delightful stories, gradually gained widespread popularity. Their masterful collaboration, "The Glorious Flight," won the Caldecott Medal in 1984. They also received a Caldecott Honor for "A Visit to William Blake's Inn." An impressive eight of their picture books were selected as New York Times Best Illustrated Books, earning great acclaim from critics and readers alike. Max, the Mischievous Cat of Maple Hill Farm A Book About the Joy of Life With a Beloved Pet Max, the rascal of Maple Hill Farm, was a remarkable and sturdy tabby cat. Born an only kitten, he grew quickly and soon became bigger than his mother, Gooseberry. He loved to tease the other farm animals and hunted squirrels, collecting their tails in his own little room. Though he was an extraordinary hunter, he also showed a surprisingly gentle side, often curling up on the children's laps for quiet moments of connection. But when night fell, Max would head out to the distant fields for what the family called "Max's real time." No one ever knew exactly what Max did during those hours out in the dark—it was a special secret known only to him. So what exactly was Max doing during his "real time"? Max, the star of this picture book, was the real-life pet of Alice and Martin Provensen. He lived with the Provensen family at their beloved Maple Hill Farm. Martin, in particular, cherished Max so deeply that he once called him "another version of himself." Throughout the book, you can feel the couple's deep affection for Max on every page. The Provensens cared for and loved not only Max but all the animals of Maple Hill Farm, respecting each one's unique personality and private mysteries. This heartwarming picture book reflects the couple's belief that a life lived alongside animals brings profound joy and meaning.