School Library Journal Review
PreS-Gr 2-Phoebe isn't thrilled when a new baby arrives at her house, but she is crazy about the earthmover she gets at the same time. She plays with "Digger" endlessly and begins to wreak havoc with it. When Mama takes Phoebe and the baby to the park, Phoebe finds some dirt, and she and Digger are off to play. When a boy starts screaming because Digger unearthed an earthworm, Phoebe gets sent to sit on the bench until she can learn "how to play nice." Once released, she heads for another area full of dirt and it is there that a bigger girl takes Digger away from her. The child tries using her words and anything else she can think of to get it back and is almost ready to cry when her mother intervenes. To Phoebe's great relief, the big girl sheepishly returns the toy. When Mama hugs Phoebe tight, all is right with the world. This story is part sibling rivalry and part bullying but it also features an interesting girl who chooses to play with earthmovers over dolls. The large bold paintings are perfect for storytime and are well used throughout to show mood and scale.-Joan Kindig, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA (c) Copyright 2013. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Publisher's Weekly Review
A new toy steam shovel becomes Phoebe's ally in her displacement anxiety. When her baby sibling cries "Waa!" Phoebe and Digger respond with an equally robust "RMM!" (as well as some minor domestic damage). It takes a much-needed trip to the park, and the possible loss of Digger to a bully, to persuade Phoebe that she hasn't lost her place in Mom's affections. Springstubb (Mo Wren, Lost and Found) stumbles a bit at the wrap-up-she doesn't need to tell readers that a hug from Mama is "The safest, happiest, best-loved place... a moment she wished would go on forever and a day"-but her sense of narrative economy and empathy is otherwise spot-on. Newman's (Rabbit's Snow Dance) stylized characterizations, saturated colors, spare backgrounds, and assured black line work bring to mind the best of UPA animation. Readers will cheer for sloe-eyed Phoebe as she veers from mischievous grin to slow burn and back again, just as they will covet Digger, the most expressive steam shovel since Mike Mulligan's Mary Anne. Ages 3-6. Author's agent: Sarah Davies, Greenhouse Literary Agency. Illustrator's agent: Paul Rodeen, Rodeen Literary Management. (Mar.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.