Just launched: free lifetime premium for the first 1,000 members to activate their account.

Log in Start free

Louise's Secret

Good

Recommended age Unlock

Co-watching from age 2

Balanced

Exact score locked

Watch on

Prime Video

Paramount +

Save

Louise's Secret

See the exact scores

The review is yours to read. Create a free account to reveal the exact SlowScreen score and every pillar score.

Create free account

This program is well-balanced. It remains mostly easy to follow and process. It is a good fit for the recommended age. The pacing is fast. Images follow each other quickly, leaving little time to pause and take in what is happening. The sound is intense and continuously present. The visuals are calm and well-organized.

One simple storyline carries the whole episode: Louise has a secret, and Max keeps trying to find out what it is. Events follow each other in a clear order with an obvious beginning, middle and end, so a three-year-old can follow along. Each scene adds only a little that is new, which keeps the thread easy to hold. Actions lead to sensible results, such as Max reaching for the phone and Ruby reacting to him.

Emotions stay gentle throughout, and Max's eagerness or small disappointments around the secret never build into real distress. Any small upset is followed by reassurance and a return to a settled mood within the same stretch of story. The interactions are mostly warm and the characters behave in predictable ways. The one caveat is that Ruby and Louise keep Max out of their secret and Ruby can be a little bossy with him, though the warmth between them returns by the end.

Max drives much of the episode through his own curiosity, repeatedly trying different ways to take part in the secret, so the initiative is clearly his. The problem-solving itself stays simple, though, with solutions arriving in one or two easy moves rather than through visible trying, failing and adjusting. As a toddler, Max names what he wants and acts on it, but there is little drawn-out reasoning to follow. This fits his age while leaving the thinking process light for a child to learn from.

The language fits a young listener well. Ruby speaks in short, clear sentences about concrete things, while Max uses single words and short repeated phrases that name exactly what he wants. The words are used correctly and the speech is easy to understand. Dialogue is sparse, so a fair amount of the meaning comes through actions alongside the words.

Almost everything here maps onto a child's own world: playing with a toy ambulance, talking on the phone, visiting a shop and navigating life with a sibling and a friend. These are activities a child can recognise and copy at home. The social situations, wanting to be included and keeping a secret, mirror real friendships and family life. The main step away from reality is that the family are rabbits, which sits comfortably as light imagination at this age.

More information

Max and Ruby unfolds in a single suburban home with a cast made up entirely of rabbits, so cultural background, body type and life setting barely vary. There is a small mix of genders and ages across Ruby, her younger brother Max and her friend Louise, but the world holds to one familiar household norm, with no wider community or other family forms in view. Each character has a real part in the story and shows a range of feelings, yet the planning and initiative stay with the same character from start to finish. Overall the picture of who is present and how responsibilities are shared stays narrow and predictable.

Max and Ruby live in an ordinary home and move through situations any small child knows: a friend coming over, sorting and tidying, answering the telephone, and a busy outdoor market stall. The only imaginative touch is that the family are rabbits who talk and act like people; nothing magical happens. There is no villain, and the small frictions come from everyday moments and Max's antics rather than any bad character. For a three-year-old this mix of a familiar world with one gentle layer of make-believe sits right where it should.

This episode is pitched squarely at young children, so an adult in the room finds it calm and watchable rather than rewarding. The story of Ruby guarding a secret with her friend Louise while Max chases his own project holds together, but it follows the familiar pattern of the series closely. The gentle pacing, soft voices and tidy flat animation make it easy on adult ears and eyes, with Max's handful of repeated words the only mild irritant. It is competent, pleasant background company without much to engage a grown-up co-viewer on its own terms.

Themes

Siblings

Max and his older sister Ruby share the home and interact in nearly every scene.

Secrets

Central

The whole episode turns on a secret that Louise will only share with Ruby.

Curiosity

Max repeatedly leans in and tries to listen so he can discover the secret.

Friendship

Ruby and her friend Louise keep in touch by phone and guard their shared secret.

Everyday life

Recurring

Scenes show home life, a phone call and a trip to a small neighbourhood shop.

Activities

Talking on phone

Ruby holds phone conversations with Louise on the rotary phone.

Playing with toys

Max plays with a toy ambulance at home and outside the shop.

Shopping

Two rabbits visit a small shop with a red and white striped awning.

Emotions

Curiosity

Max leans toward the phone and reaches for it, eager to know the secret.

Frustration

Max's face falls when he is kept out of what Ruby and Louise share.

Excitement

The rabbits brighten when the secret is finally out.

Love

Ruby and Max stay close and warm even after tussling over the phone.

Behaviour

Perseverance

Max keeps finding new ways to get near the phone and the secret after being left out.

Secret keeping

Ruby and Louise whisper and hold their secret away from Max.

Pretend play

Max pushes and plays with a toy ambulance across several scenes.

Using telephone

Ruby talks with Louise on an old rotary telephone in the living room.

Social lessons

Inclusion

Max wants to be let into the secret the older girls share.

Sibling relationship

Ruby manages Max while trying to keep her own activity going.

Friendship

Ruby and Louise's close friendship anchors the secret at the heart of the story.

Patience

Max has to wait through the whole episode to learn what the secret is.

Ruby and her friend Louise share a secret, and Max, Ruby's younger brother, spends the episode trying to find out what it is and join in. The story moves between the rabbits' home, where an old telephone keeps Ruby and Louise in touch, and a small neighbourhood shop. Max keeps angling to be included while playing with a toy ambulance. By the end the secret is out and the situation settles.

Season 1

10 episodes

Max & Ruby

Max & Ruby

Ruby's Piano Practice

recommended age co-watching from 2

Ruby settles in to practise her piano piece, reading sheet music and keeping time with a metronome, while her younger brother Max busies himself with his own plans, including making a sandwich in the kitchen and playing with a favourite red toy. The two rabbits move between the living room, the kitchen and the hallway of their home, with a brief moment outdoors. Their small differences play out gently as Ruby keeps returning to her practice. The episode closes with the siblings together.

Max & Ruby

Max & Ruby

Max's Bath

recommended age co-watching from 2

Rabbit siblings Max and Ruby spend the episode at home after Max gets covered in green muffin batter in the kitchen. Ruby decides he needs a bath, fills the tub, and works to wash him clean, but Max keeps finding new ways to get messy again. The story moves between the kitchen, bedroom, and bathroom, with Ruby leading every step. In the end Max is finally clean and dry.

Max & Ruby

Max & Ruby

Max's Bedtime

recommended age co-watching from 2

It is bedtime for Max, a young rabbit, and his older sister Ruby helps him get ready for sleep at home. Max keeps climbing out of bed and wandering into Ruby's room to play instead of settling down. Ruby patiently brings him comfort toys, reads to him and tucks him back in again and again. The night ends with Max finally settled in his own bed.

Max & Ruby

Max & Ruby

Hide And Seek

recommended age co-watching from 2

Max and Ruby, two rabbit siblings, play a game of hide and seek through their home. Max hides behind plants and furniture while his older sister Ruby searches room by room, from the living room and staircase to the kitchen. Along the way Max plays with his toys, including a small red jester doll. The game ends outdoors in the garden, where Ruby brings a plate of cookies and the two are back together.

Max & Ruby

Max & Ruby

Max's Breakfast

recommended age co-watching from 2

Rabbit siblings Max and Ruby spend a morning at home centred on breakfast. After Max wakes up, Ruby sets about preparing food in the kitchen, cooking eggs and toast, while Max persistently pursues the breakfast he has in mind. Their differing wishes play out gently through the meal. The episode ends with the two sitting down to eat together at the kitchen table.

Max & Ruby

Max & Ruby

Louise's Secret

recommended age co-watching from 2

Ruby and her friend Louise share a secret, and Max, Ruby's younger brother, spends the episode trying to find out what it is and join in. The story moves between the rabbits' home, where an old telephone keeps Ruby and Louise in touch, and a small neighbourhood shop. Max keeps angling to be included while playing with a toy ambulance. By the end the secret is out and the situation settles.

Max & Ruby

Max & Ruby

Max Misses The Bus

recommended age co-watching from 2

Ruby wants to take her younger brother Max on the bus to visit their friend Louise. Each time a bus is due, Max insists on bringing another toy or says 'Stay home', and the pair keep missing it while Ruby checks the schedule and phones Louise to explain. After the very last bus has gone, Louise grows tired of waiting and takes the bus to their house instead. The two friends are reunited at home, and Max gets the last word with 'Stay home'.

Max & Ruby

Max & Ruby

Max's Wormcake

recommended age co-watching from 2

Ruby, a young rabbit, sets out to plant a marigold garden in the backyard for her dolls, explaining how the flowers need water, soil, stones and plant food. Her little brother Max keeps gathering the same worms, water and stones to build his own 'worm cake.' When Ruby finally goes to plant her marigolds, she finds Max has used everything and grows frustrated. In the end Max helps return what the flowers need, and Ruby thanks him.

Max & Ruby

Max & Ruby

Max's Rainy Day

recommended age co-watching from 2

Rabbit siblings Max and Ruby want to play in the rain, but Ruby insists they put on their rain clothes first. Across the episode they work through boots, a slicker, a rain hat and umbrellas, with Ruby helping Max when he puts his boots on the wrong feet and keeps trying to run outside. By the time they are fully dressed and step out, the rain has stopped, so they go back in to take everything off. As soon as they are undressed, the rain returns.

Max & Ruby

Max & Ruby

Camp Out

recommended age co-watching from 2

Max and Ruby are a rabbit sister and her little brother. During a heat wave, Ruby decides they will sleep outside in a backyard tent and sets it up, sending Max indoors again and again to fetch a flashlight, a radio, sleeping bags, pillows and marshmallows. Max would rather play and keeps carrying his toys outside instead. By the end he has filled the tent so full of toys that there is no room left for them, and the episode closes on Max's cheerful answer of 'Outside!'

Related media

Other series that fit this age group

Jessica's Big Little World

Jessica's Big Little World

recommended age co-watching from 2

Jessica's Big Little World follows a young girl eager to do things herself, with her family and toys at home and around town. Warm and playful for preschoolers, with gentle lessons in independence and perseverance.

Peppa Pig

Peppa Pig

recommended age co-watching from 2

Peppa Pig follows a young pig and her family through small adventures at home and outdoors. The tone is light and playful, made for preschoolers, with gentle lessons about family and friendship.

Little Bear

Little Bear

recommended age co-watching from 2

Little Bear follows a bear cub and his mother, father and animal friends through small adventures in a cosy forest home. Warm and calm, it suits preschoolers and gently nurtures imagination and family closeness.

Ready Eddie GO!

Ready Eddie GO!

recommended age co-watching from 2

Ready Eddie GO! follows a young boy guided step by step through new everyday experiences like swimming, camping and starting school. The tone is calm and reassuring for preschoolers learning to handle new situations and feelings.

Explore more

From this series Max & Ruby

By age 3 years

By platform Paramount +

Just launched: free lifetime premium for the first 1,000 members to activate their account.

Create your account

We use functional cookies and Google Analytics to improve our site. Learn more