“Violet’s voice and good spirit is what readers will remember: thoughtful, caring, and with the right amount of self-absorption to mark her as a seven-year-old. Fans will appreciate how Violet has matured over the course of the series. The changes in the sisters’ relationship, forged in the absence of parental interference, make this entry the best in the series so far. Like Ann Cameron’s The Stories Julian Tells, this is an excellent example of a chapter book that takes new readers seriously.”
“In this third in a series of Australian imports starring this appealing, inventive child, Violet turns her attention to small creatures…. The death of animals, whether through accidents or of natural causes, often weighs heavily on children, and this deceptively simple early chapter book takes such concerns seriously without getting stuck there…. Readers who met Violet earlier will feel right at home. Still, this sweet family story stands alone and should attract new fans.”
“In this beginning chapter book, seven-year-old Violet Mackerel has a soft spot for Small Things, being one herself…. The sweet and whimsical nature of the story will appeal to many readers.”
“The ever-curious, often-pensive, imminently imaginative Violet Mackerel is considering the natural habitats of ladybugs and sparrows and little sisters…. Violet’s sweetness and [her older sister] Nicola’s humble patience make for an endearing story of sibling relations in this third book in the Violet Mackerel series.”