Publishers Weekly
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To tell the story of Ruth Krauss (1901–1993), an unconventional person who became a writer of unconventional picture books, the creators assemble playful phrases and vignettes in the spirit of their subject. For only child Krauss, “sickness sticks around a lot/ and steals her voice away.” What to do? In ink, watercolor, and gouache, Arsenault paints a tiny figure at work, head bandaged, writing, drawing, stitching pages together to make a book: “She finds another way to tell a tale,” Higgins writes. Krauss finds “another way to play a song,” too, experimentally addressing a violin’s strings, but receives rejections when she considers creating a book. Knowing that Krauss’s story ends in triumph gives the subject’s idiosyncrasies particular significance in a light picture book tribute that foregrounds new ways to think about art-making over a substantive look at the subject’s life. Ages 4–8. (Oct.)

School Library Journal
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K-Gr 3—While this picture book biography of children's author Ruth Krauss attempts homage by using the writing style Krauss deployed in such classics as The Carrot Seed and A Hole is to Dig, the result falls short. Young readers will have difficulty connecting the abstract text to the life of Krauss, especially given how much time has passed since her books were published. The reference to The Carrot Seed at the end of the book is subtle, aimed at adults nostalgic for the book, and many of the obstacles and accomplishments of the author are not clearly mentioned in the story. Only the summary at the end of the book fully recounts Krauss's life. VERDICT Illustrations and text pay tribute to Krauss but leave young readers confused as to her story or even why she's worthy of the honor.—Heidi Dechief

Kirkus
Copyright © Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

A biography of Ruth Krauss, doyen of children’s literature, told, aptly, in picture-book format. Higgins chronicles Krauss’ life from childhood to early adulthood, covering the illnesses she endured, her experiences at summer camp, and her forays into painting and writing. For Krauss fans, the book may be heralded as a welcome acknowledgement of her work. However, for those less familiar with her and her canon, the title does little to introduce or discuss her creativity in a meaningful way; the book repeatedly states that she was a free thinker but only vaguely addresses how that was channeled into her writing. It’s not clear why others initially said “No that’s not good” about her work or how interacting with a young neighbor and other small children (depicted as racially diverse) helped her “[find] another way to tell a tale.” At times, the poetic language works against the biographical elements, such as when the book discusses Krauss’ childhood: “But sickness sticks around a lot / and steals her voice away— / so she wiggles-wiggles little fingers / that’s how she says hi / Like this.” The verse is elegant—as is Arsenault’s graceful, scribbly artwork—but implies a physical loss of voice and a sign-language skill that is not explained in the book’s author’s note (though her illnesses are briefly discussed there). The author’s note, a bibliography, and a list of Krauss’ work attempt to provide more substance but fall short. (This book was reviewed digitally.) Doesn’t quite do its subject justice. (Picture-book biography. 6-8) Copyright © Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

Kirkus
Copyright © Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

A biography of Ruth Krauss, doyen of childrens literature, told, aptly, in picture-book format.Higgins chronicles Krauss life from childhood to early adulthood, covering the illnesses she endured, her experiences at summer camp, and her forays into painting and writing. For Krauss fans, the book may be heralded as a welcome acknowledgement of her work. However, for those less familiar with her and her canon, the title does little to introduce or discuss her creativity in a meaningful way; the book repeatedly states that she was a free thinker but only vaguely addresses how that was channeled into her writing. Its not clear why others initially said No thats not good about her work or how interacting with a young neighbor and other small children (depicted as racially diverse) helped her [find] another way to tell a tale. At times, the poetic language works against the biographical elements, such as when the book discusses Krauss childhood: But sickness sticks around a lot / and steals her voice away / so she wiggles-wiggles little fingers / thats how she says hi / Like this. The verse is elegantas is Arsenaults graceful, scribbly artworkbut implies a physical loss of voice and a sign-language skill that is not explained in the books authors note (though her illnesses are briefly discussed there). The authors note, a bibliography, and a list of Krauss work attempt to provide more substance but fall short. (This book was reviewed digitally.)Doesnt quite do its subject justice. (Picture-book biography. 6-8) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

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

Just as Margaret Wise Brown’s legacy has had a revival in recently published picture-book biographies, the life of Ruth Krauss—another formative children’s book author from the same era—comes to light in Higgins’ lovely offering. In episodic time periods, spare (occasionally too spare), poetic text relates Krauss’ experiences and accomplishments, from being a sickly child to learning to play the violin to becoming an artist and then a struggling author. In each segment of Krauss’ journey, Higgins emphasizes her subject’s desire to communicate, often in unusual ways. The final episode reveals how an interaction with a neighbor boy and a carrot seed helped launch her -storytelling career. Arsenault blends touches of Maurice Sendak and Crockett Johnson (Krauss’ prominent illustrators) into her own charming style. Against a sepia-toned backdrop, a bright color highlights each vignette, with the hues joining in a culminating parade of children and storybook characters. While beautiful in language and design, this undertaking may have more appeal with adults, who can read between the lines. An author’s note helps fill some gaps, however.