★ "Alliterative prose by Ferry (The Christmassy Cactus) and digital artwork by Keane (Make Way), rendered in luxuriant, jewel-toned colors and balletic, inky lines, prove as lovely as a warted puffball as they chronicle Prunella's journey from isolation to connection--the protagonist's sense of relief at finally finding her people is palpable and deeply reassuring." --Publishers Weekly, STARRED REVIEW
"Grounded in both nature and nurture: a tale sure to affirm the nonconformist's spirit."--Kirkus Reviews
★ "This delightful picture book cleverly shows how good things grow by following your interests and cultivating genuine connections."--Booklist, STARRED REVIEW
★ "Couple Beth Ferry's clever wordplay with Claire Keane's detailed illustrations, and you've got a book that is sure to resonate with young readers, especially those who have ever felt they didn't fit in."--BookPage, STARRED REVIEW
"Prunella is delightful as a grumpy but confident protagonist, knowing what she likes and unwilling to give her passion up just to fit in, while the neighbor kid's wide-eyed enthusiasm is absolutely infectious. Dialogue in speech bubbles complements the narrative text, adding both emotion and explanation along with the actual plant names and characteristics....Aspiring botanists will find this utterly irresistible..."--The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
★ "Ferry's warm-voiced text is filled with botanic metaphors while Keane's dusky, blue-smudged palette strikes a tone of blooming shadows without verging too far into gloominess. Front and back matter list and describe Prunella's favorite plants, making the book a strong recommendation for any blossoming purple-thumbed readers as well as children needing reassurance that whatever they love, someone else will love it--and them--too."--Shelf Awareness, STARRED REVIEW
*A July/August 2024 Indie Next Pick*
★ "This is not only a unique story with a strong message, but the spotlight on lesser-appreciated plants makes this book a must-buy."--School Library Journal, STARRED REVIEW