School Library Journal Review
PreS-Gr 1-Duck and his pals each receive a red rose and a piece of paper with a red heart on it, but no signature. When it turns out that their new neighbor, Mole, was the anonymous sender looking for new friends, the group spends a delightful day together. The illustrations have just a suggestion of background in shading and lines, with the whimsically drawn creatures in brightly colored accessories taking the forefront. Duck always wears his white hat with green stripes and earflaps; Toad looks dapper in his vest, white shirt, and bowtie; Otter wears a fetching long red scarf; and Hedgehog's personality comes through in his facial expressions. A companion to Duck's Tale (North-South, 2007), the story and illustrations are reminiscent of Arnold Lobel's "Frog and Toad" books (HarperCollins) in their sweet simplicity.-Shelley B. Sutherland, Niles Public Library, IL (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Publisher's Weekly Review
Dutch author/artist van Straaten reprises his quartet of marvelously grumpy characters from Duck's Tale, with mixed results. Someone has left a red rose and an unsigned red heart at the houses of Duck, Toad, Otter and Hedgehog, and it's causing all kinds of trouble. Toad feels prompted to let one of the friends down easy ("I like you, Otter, but...") while Hedgehog believes that he's the favored one, because "I got the biggest rose." When it turns out that the giver is a shy, small Mole who's new to the neighborhood, "not very good with words" and eager to make friends, all the breaches are healed. Some of the dialogue goes on much longer than necessary, and the ending seems to wander off into the sunset. But van Straaten's characters are so vividly imagined and drawn-his sophisticated ink line seems to have an entire emotional vocabulary unto itself-that it's a pleasure to spend time in their company. Ages 3-up. (Jan.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Horn Book Review
Duck, Otter, Toad, and Hedgehog find roses left on their doorsteps. They argue about who is "in love." It turns out the flowers are from a new neighbor, Mole, who, after a lovely day with the animal gang, becomes a platonic friend. Quirky illustrations in greens, browns, and reds animate the sweet but ultimately forgettable story about friendship. (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted. All rights reserved.
Kirkus Review
Innocent gifts of hearts and flowers from an anonymous donor exert a powerful effect on their recipients. When Duck discovers a red rose and a piece of paper with a red heart on his doorstep, he's surprised and suspects a trick. He runs to Toad's house for advice only to find his friends Toad, Otter and Hedgehog have also received a heart and a rose. Clueless, they immediately speculate about the significance of the hearts and roses, who they are really for and who sent the mysterious gifts. As imaginations soar, egos inflate. Each assumes he's the object of an unknown admirer until their new neighbor Mole arrives and shyly confesses she sent all the hearts and roses as a way to introduce herself. As soon as Duck, Toad, Otter and Hedgehog realize the hearts and roses were for all of them, they gallantly offer to take their new friend Mole on a boat ride. Simple illustrations executed in bold lines and primary color washes capture the confusion and eventual camaraderie of these puzzled pals. An amusing, bemusing tale. (Picture book. 3-6) Copyright ©Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Booklist Review
Van Stratten's story about making friends is a gem. When Duck receives a flower with an anonymous hand-drawn heart, he runs to his neighbors Toad, Otter, and Hedgehog only to find they have all received the same gift. This begins an argument over who is really in love with whom. To determine whose true love has sent the note, they decide to pluck flower petals: Whoever picks the last petal is the one she loves. They learn, though, that they are all valuable to their new neighbor, who interrupts their argument and asks them all to be friends. The images are delicately drawn pen-and-ink images tinted with watercolors that wash together across the pages, providing subtle shading and emotional texture. Children will easily grasp the message that each person has the special gift of friendship to share as they enjoy the story, which may well become a storytime favorite.--Jensen, Rebecca Copyright 2008 Booklist
