Dicamillo is a master of the craft, and it shines brightly in this delightful, mesmerizing tale. . . . Blackall’s illustrations, as always, are so magical in and of themselves, that this book is made even more indispensable with their addition. Recommended for all collections.
—School Library Journal (starred review)
Drawing from the magical, fairy tale world of her recent The Puppets of Spelhorst (BCCB 10/23) and The Hotel Balzaar (BCCB 10/24), DiCamillo offers another quirky, poignant story. . . . The fairy tale atmosphere is greatly aided by Blackall’s richly detailed black-and-white illustrations.
—Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books
In true DiCamillo fashion, the ending is suffused with the gentlest melancholy, allowing readers to either believe in their reunion or dismiss it entirely. Illustrator Blackall once more joins forces with DiCamillo to bring the more fairy tale–like elements of the book to gentle life. . . . A tender tale featuring a young protagonist who possesses equal parts yearning and spunk, to great effect.
—Kirkus Reviews
Effortlessly engrossing, as all DiCamillo stories are, this bittersweet tale is anchored by its unfaltering commitment to the importance of love, storytelling, and dreams. Blackall picks up these themes in her pencil illustrations, which are every bit as magical as the words they depict. Children, who can’t help but feel small in this large world, will take heart from Evangeline’s courage and adventurous spirit.
—Booklist
Blackall’s illustrations add specificity to the settings (flickering firelight, a bird’s-eye view of the harbor) and to the archetypal characters (the rich old lady’s ear trumpet, the curiosity show owner’s nose hairs), and her use of a distinctive looping calligraphic line ties the whole thing together.
—The Horn Book
