"Written with understated wit, the story includes such elements of fantasy as talking animals, magical berries, and young Pluck's enviable independence. Colorful, stylized illustrations appear on every double-page spread. Reminiscent of the Provensens' artwork in style, they have a quirky charm that suits the narrative perfectly. This book has a fresh, inviting look. imaginative."  -- Carolyn Phelan, Booklist "The low-key charm of this story was a treat from start to finish. The droll illustrations of Schmidt's long-time collaborator Fiep Westendorp are a welcome and essential element in that charm. Disarming and sweet, the book also has a genuinely complex worldview, with a strong pro-environmental and anti-authoritarian attitude balanced rather surprisingly by a practical realization that we can't all goof off and play or who would put out fires or bake the bread people need? .

Sly and smart and not so easy to pigeonhole." -- Michael Giltz, BookFilter.