* “With her familiar brand of gentle absurdity, Boynton creates similes that ascribe moods to various animals. ‘Hello, Little Person! How are you today?’ greets a concerned-looking bear. Part of the book’s pleasure is that Boynton doesn’t rely on clichéd animal personifications: ‘Are you happy as a hippo? Or angry as a duck? Maybe sad as a chicken? (‘Can you sadly say, “Cluck Cluck?”)’ After the characters tell readers, ‘Well, I hope you are happy. But if you are not, you have friends who will help you. We like you a lot,’ even kids in the stoniest of moods will feel the effect of this pick-me-up.”
* “Emotional labeling—now that's an angry duck!—adds to the exuberant charm in this wacky animal roundup…Boynton’s signature style gives zany animation to her trademark cartoon characters (dog, rabbit and moose, for starters). Facial expression undergoes minor adjustments to convey depth, through slight spacing between the eyes or the angled slant of the nose. Springy rhythmic phrases engage the audience…Guaranteed to knock the bad mood out of anyone, duck included.”