Horn Book

When an old woman falls ill, her garden begins to die. The resident doodle bugs bravely seek help from the magical Leaf Men, who revive the garden and return a long-lost toy to the woman, which restores her to health. In his characteristic old-Hollywood style, Joyce illustrates this adventure with a lively cast of characters, but the odd fantasy is long-winded and lacks logic.

Kirkus Reviews

As an old lady lies abed and her garden fails with her, a doughty band of doodlebugs—`Tiny of body but brave of heart, we will finish what we start!' ''—climbs the tallest tree in search of the elusive Leaf Men, hoping they can set things right. Indeed they can: Appearing just in time for a short but sharp battle in which the evil Spider Queen is slain, the Leaf Men,gardeners of a grand and elfin sort,'' doctor all the wilted foliage, then bring the old woman back from the brink by presenting her with a toy lost in the garden long ago. A squad of lilliputian Jolly Green Giants, the emerald Leaf Men cut robust, heroic figures, hands on hips, long tendrils curling gracefully from their bald pates; the Spider Queen and her twiggy cohorts emit a suitably malicious air. Joyce (Santa Calls, 1993, etc.) places the action in a jungle of looming vegetation lit by the smiling moon that sails over nearly every scene. Small scale, grand adventure. (Picture book. 7-9)"

Publishers Weekly (Fri Oct 06 00:00:00 CDT 2023)

Of this fantasy tale filled with quests and triumphs, <EMPHASIS TYPE=""ITALIC"">PW said, "For readers, the paintings will almost magically invoke a universe of creatures whose dramas unfold, almost out of sight, on the edge of daily life." Ages 3-8. <EMPHASIS TYPE=""ITALIC"">(June)

School Library Journal

PreS-Gr 3--In a stunningly designed but flawed picture book, Joyce tells a story of the magic that can heal a garden and an elderly woman on a beautiful moonlit night. The woman loves her garden, but only vaguely remembers how miraculous it was when she was a child. Soon she, and the garden, become sickly and near death. The insects worry, but don't know how to help. The "Long-Lost Toy" advises that they seek the help of the Leaf Men. In spite of the scorn of the evil Spider Queen, a brave troop of doodle bugs volunteers to scale the tall tree and summon the Leaf Men. It is a perilous journey but the bugs succeed, the Leaf Men kill the Spider Queen, and immediately the garden starts to thrive. But only the Long-Lost Toy can help the save the woman. The Leaf Men carry the tiny metal man to her bedside; when she sees him, her memories of childhood magic and protection are rekindled and begin to heal her. This lovely book is marred by a strangely flat and remote story. The grand, eloquent tone gives urgency to the adventure but is odd in the sentimental story of the old woman. The powerful paintings are full of mystery, but are not strong enough to carry an uneven plot that has questionable child appeal.--Anne Connor, Los Angeles Public Library