School Library Journal - 05/01/2009 Gr 2–4— This well-meaning and thoughtful book showcases charming ink and watercolor illustrations; it is also somewhat derivative. The narrative opens, "A sweet breeze met the boy as he awoke to his journey. He traveled on all fours for quite some time…and he grew. And he paused." These lines are very soothing and accompanied by pictures that show a baby staring out from under a tree, crawling through some grass, and sitting cross-legged meditatively. Then the lengthy story meanders as the boy follows a rabbit down a path, wonders about a leaf and the stars, and meets a cat who advises him to start his journey so he won't "be left behind." The child replies, "Oh, but I have been on a journey…I've seen many wonderful things. Some I understand, and some I don't…like how that leaf floats on the water." The child continues his travels, meeting other animals who give advice and make pronouncements about the journey of life, a frog concluding that he is content to stay in his bog where he swam as a tadpole and grew into an adult. These philosophical musings, while simply stated, are unlikely to find a wide audience.—Kirsten Cutler, Sonoma County Library, CA - Copyright 2009 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.

Booklist - 06/01/2009 In this story of a young boy finding his way in the world, Judy Moody illustrator Reynolds has reworked an original fable that he first published more than 10 years ago. The enchanting, lightly colored sketches show a solitary blond-haired boy traveling through a pleasant country environment and trying to follow sometimes conflicting road signs. Along the way, he encounters a cat, bird, frog, and rabbit, all of whom influence him in different ways. But it is a bright star that inspires him toward his destination: the beginning of “his very own wonderful journey.” Reminiscent of other books that seem aimed more at adults than children—such as Shel Silverstein’s The Giving Tree (1964), Robert Munsch’s Love You Forever (1986), and Dr. Seuss’ Oh, the Places You’ll Go! (1990)—this one is perfectly poised for graduates of all stripes. The ambiguity of the text may leave many in the picture-book crowd scratching their heads, but most will enjoy this simple tale of a quintessential quest. - Copyright 2009 Booklist.