Pastel and primary colors are woven together to create bright and eye-catching artwork, while Flo's playful expressions shift through the emotions of happiness, frustration, and relief. This story is perfect for communicating to young children the importance of listening to their parents and the possible repercussions of not following instructions. A charming and interactive tale. --School Library Journal (starred review) Jarvis' brightly scrawled style creates busy, colorful spreads that are punctuated with many tiny insect friends throughout, leavening the chase scene; Flo is never completely alone. This lively little ditty is just ducky. --Kirkus Reviews Jarvis ( Who Is Happy? ) strikes a forthrightly sweet mood, with a singsong text that circles back on itself for a happy ending, and mixed-media paintings in a nursery palette of soft, textured pastels (exceptions are bright yellow Flo and the equally bright orange fox). The only ironic note is the side-eye Flo gives readers when her dad is singing; even the most well-behaved readers will relate. --Publishers Weekly Flo makes an utterly kid-relatable heroine as she rolls her eyes at Daddy Duck's attempts to control her antics and engages in some playful rebellion.
Jarvis' art is invitingly busy, matching the enthusiastic text, and bold colors and bigger spreads make for easy viewing. Limber up your body and warm up your voice for this rollicking tale of taking the long way around. --Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books.