School Library Journal
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PreS-Gr 1-Come May, Mother's Day picture books are always in demand, but this bland offering is not likely to attract a following. Violet, a spotted snake, is shown frolicking with her woodland friends-rabbits, bats, chipmunks, squirrels, and other critters that would more probably be considered prey more than pals. As spring nears, she notices that they are busy making gifts for their mothers: a squirrel gathers extra-crunchy acorns, a bear collects honey, and a beaver carves a statue. Violet worries that "without arms or legs or teeth, she couldn't make anything like the other animals." She finally comes up with an idea and on the big day surprises her mother by contorting her body into the shape of a valentine. Ember's acrylic illustrations, while endearing, are somewhat puzzling. The forest prior to spring is in full greenery, and although Violet frets that she has no teeth, her toothy smile is displayed on every page. And the picture of her giving a horsey-back ride-complete with reins-to some squirrels is just plain weird. Vivian French's A Present for Mom (Candlewick, 2002) or Eve Bunting's The Mother's Day Mice (Sandpiper, 1988) are better choices for Mom's special day.-Martha Simpson, Stratford Library Association, CT (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Kirkus
Copyright © Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

Young Violet likes "sliding and slithering and shedding her skin whenever it got old," as well as distinctly un-snakely activities such as racing with rabbits, hanging with bats and fooling around with chipmunks. One spring day, however, none of her friends is able to play; they are all getting ready for Mother's Day. What's a critter with no opposable thumbs, let alone arms, legs or teeth, to do? With a little sinuous ingenuity, Violet thinks up the perfect gift. While it's clear that Krensky needs a snake for the plot's payoff, by sacrificing everything behavioral that makes a snake a snake, he takes all possible zing out of his story. Ember's illustrations are equally pallid; Violet has teeny fangs and what looks a little like a rattle, but it's clear all she eats is marshmallows. (Picture book. 3-5)]] Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

Book list
From Booklist, Copyright © American Library Association. Used with permission.

Ideal for both mothers and the kids who love them, this sweet story about resourcefulness strikes a happy balance of sentiment and satisfaction. Violet, a young snake, observes other animal children busily creating Mother's Day gifts, but all the projects seem to require things Violet doesn't have: arms, legs, or teeth. It's up to her to figure out something her body can do to show how much she loves her mother. The soft, bright acrylic illustrations portray a cheerful array of forest animals in a peacefully sylvan setting. Even though the surprise isn't really much of one (of course Violet figures out something), this will reassure young children that even a simple gesture they can make for Mom on her day will be appreciated, and will encourage creativity in coming up with exactly which gesture to make.--Foote, Diane Copyright 2010 Booklist

Horn Book
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Unlike the other animals, Violet, a snake, doesn't know what to prepare for the perfect Mothers Day gift. After some thought and much practice, she twists herself into a heart shape to show her mother how she feels. The story is bland, and it has a slow start, but the acrylic illustrations of forest animals are mildly amusing. (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted. All rights reserved.

Publishers Weekly
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Offering a scaly twist on Mother's Day, Violet is a friendly orange snake sporting a purple beret, but unlike her woodland friends, she can't figure out what to do for her mother on Mother's Day-especially without "arms or legs or teeth." But using her creativity (and flexibility), she finds a way to express her love. Violet's goofy dinosaur looks are a quirky contrast to Ember's buoyant springtime forest, where the woodsier animals look more at home. Surprisingly, only Violet's mother makes an appearance, and even that is fleeting. Ages 4-8. (Mar.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved