ALA Booklist (Mon Feb 01 00:00:00 CST 2021)

Roland, a rabbit, enjoys drinking tea, drawing pictures, and listening to music, but sometimes he's lonely. Walking through the woods one day, he sees an amiable face on a pine cone lying beside the path. Roland names him Milton and takes him home for tea, music, and drawing. They have great times together until, throughout the woods, Roland notices hand-drawn posters featuring a familiar-looking pine cone and the words missing, lost, and Popkin. Though initially in denial, he finally returns Milton (aka Popkin) to Lucy, a cat, who joyfully hugs them both. Back home, Roland is lonelier than ever until a new poster leads him back to Lucy's home, where his two friends welcome him warmly. The simplified forms, curving lines, and muted colors in the watercolor illustrations suit this gentle, rather melancholy story well. Adding a playful touch, the endpapers display a variety of cones. In the front of the book, all but Milton are plain, but in the back, many have black-and-white eyes and twigs for arms. An engaging picture book with craft-project potential.

Kirkus Reviews

Having a best friend makes everything better.Roland, a white rabbit, lives a quiet life in a tree trunk. He keeps busy with drawing, dancing to music, and drinking tea, but sometimes he's quite lonely. While searching the woods for a friend, he discovers a pine cone with sticks resembling arms and a pair of eyes looking at him. He names his silent new friend Milton and happily shares his activities with him. In the woods again, he sees scattered posters seeking a missing best friend named Popkin, with many attributes very like Milton's. He tries to ignore them, but he realizes someone out there is lonely too. He returns to the spot where he discovered Milton and finds Lucy, a kitten whose lost Popkin and Milton are one and the same. Without his friend, Roland is lonelier than ever. On his next foray into the woods, there are new posters: Lucy and Milton/Popkin are looking for a friend, and that friend is none other than Roland. Salsbury never allows the tale to become maudlin or cloying, as Roland selflessly deals with disappointment, remaining a kind and compassionate friend. Watercolor illustrations, appearing as vignettes and both single- and double-page spreads, enhance the tale with lively, detailed depictions of Roland's woodsy home, his expressions of sadness and joy, the sweet-natured Lucy, and, of course, the incredible Milton/Popkin. Young readers will sympathize with Roland and strive to emulate his kindness to his friends, whether real or imaginary.Life lessons gently told. Lovely. (Picture book. 3-8)

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

A solitary bunny named Roland discovers friendship in this gentle, empathy-filled story by Salsbury. Roland-s days are active, if quiet; an opening montage features the cardigan-clad bunny happily drawing, dancing to music, and drinking tea. But the next scene of Roland, head drooping and seated alone at a table in an empty room, feels achingly sorrowful. When Roland chances upon a pinecone with googly eyes and twig arms, he-s overjoyed to have found a best friend with whom to share his favorite pastimes; this happiness sours, however, when he spots his friend-s picture on signs posted among the trees: -Missing! Best Friend in the Whole World.- Denial sets in (-That-s definitely not you,- he tells the pinecone), but it-s not enough to keep his old loneliness at bay when he reluctantly returns the pinecone to the poster-maker. Salsbury-s delicate watercolors create affecting scenes that connect seamlessly with matter-of-fact text. Though much of the story features challenging emotions, the capstone moment uplifts, empowering Roland­-and readers-to make changes when ready. Ages 4-8. (Mar.)

School Library Journal (Tue Jun 01 00:00:00 CDT 2021)

K-Gr 2 Roland, a lonely rabbit, encounters a lone pine cone while walking in the woods. Longing for companionship, Roland names the pine cone Milton and brings him home. Together they enjoy music, drawing, and tea parties. Though Roland is thrilled to have his companion, he begins seeing signs that Milton might be someone else's friend. Not wanting anyone to experience the loneliness he felt, Roland sets out to return Milton to his rightful owner. Salsbury's understated art and neutral color palette capably advance the story. Readers will have many moments to ponder loneliness, friendship, and loss. VERDICT : This picture book is charming in its simplicity and thoughtful in centering empathy as it quietly affirms the specialness of imaginary friends. Maegen Rose, Rye Country Day Sch., NY