The story of a dad and daughter's day of play is fond and indulgent, with illustrations adding touches of clear-eyed realism in the house's growing chaos and Dad's increasing tiredness. Phelan's ink and watercolor art evinces its familiar brushy informal textures, with the mood transforming effectively from spare gray spreads of gloomy Penelope to scenes of sweep and motion and ever-denser toy population, while the window behind the action documents the slashing rain. The compact square trim size adds to the cozy feel, making this a cuddly choice for sharing with a shut-in youngster on a bleak day--as long as you're geared up for the imaginative romp it will inspire.
--Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

Phelan alternates between fantasy scenes of the two wrangling cattle and outrunning dinosaurs and images of a living room in increasing disarray (many families will identify with the closing scene, in which just about every toy Penelope owns has been hauled out to support the cause). As Penelope's father proves himself more than worthy of a "Best Dad Ever" mug, the energetic and warmly funny watercolors convey a father-daughter relationship that clearly means a lot to both parties.
--Publishers Weekly

This is a simple story with an underlying theme of parental love. The layout is clean and uncluttered, with only one or two sentences per spread. The book is suitable for bedtime, one-on-one sharing, or storytimes. The illustrations are realistic in nature and are rendered in ink and watercolor. With its theme of daddies and daughters interacting playfully and positively, this book will be suitable for inclusion in any picture book collection.
--School Library Journal

It is pouring outside, and Penelope is bored. Her daddy asks Penelope what she would do if she had her druthers (he supplies a wonderful definition), unleashing a storm of creative play. ... Readers may hope for rain, too, and the chance to act this book out.
--Booklist