ALA Booklist (Wed Feb 01 00:00:00 CST 2017)

Larry is different from the other lemmings. While "all the other lemmings look alike, sound alike, and act alike," and will gladly follow their friends to jump off a cliff, Larry is different. Taking the road less traveled, Larry sleds with puffins, plays bongos, and orders pepperoni pizza with extra cheese and hot sauce. The lemmings call a meeting to determine if all lemmings should be the same. The response from the Arctic rodents is a resounding "yes." Larry knows he doesn't fit in, so tempting the impossible rry lives with the seals, moves in with the puffins, and even visits the polar bears. When Larry returns home, he has to find a way to save the other lemmings before they jump off a cliff. Briggs and Slater join forces to create a comedic retelling of the lemmings "jumping off cliffs" myth. Hilarious storytelling is coupled with equally hilarious scenes laced with a litter of orange critters arguing and complaining about the odd duck among them. Sure to be storytime favorite.

Horn Book (Tue Aug 01 00:00:00 CDT 2017)

All lemmings "look alike, sound alike, and act alike"--except for one, nonconformist Larry, who sets off to find more suitable companions. But when Larry sees his lemming friends about to do what lemmings are famous for (walking off cliffs), he steps in and shows them how to think for themselves. The satisfying story is accompanied by stylized digital illustrations with a vintage feel.

School Library Journal (Tue Nov 01 00:00:00 CDT 2016)

PreS-Gr 2 One lemming in Briggs's picture book story stands out from the others because he dresses and behaves differently than the rest of the group. He doesn't tunnel in the winter. He sleds with the puffins instead. He doesn't dive off cliffs and squeal. He snorkels and plays bongos and stands out in every lemming crowd. Most important, he is not afraid to speak his mind. He even screams it. When he sees that his friends are in danger, he uses his lemming thinking and his leadership qualities and helps them think for themselves over a pepperoni pizza with extra cheese and hot sauce. Children will have fun searching for Larry the lemming on the digital cartoon spreads. But he is easy to find because he's either dressed up or doing the opposite of what the others are engaged in. Briggs also plays with the age-old parental question, "If all your friends jumped off a cliff, would you?" VERDICT This funny storytime read-aloud teaches children that it's OK to think independently and to be a little unconventional. Tanya Boudreau, Cold Lake Public Library, Alta.