Horn Book (Sun Apr 01 00:00:00 CST 2001)

In this fifth book about Martha the talking dog, Martha's family is disappointed when their new puppy, Skits, eats alphabet soup but can only say "woof." It turns out, however, that Skits has his own special talent--that of chasing and catching flying objects, from Frisbees to bees. Once again, Meddaugh's appealing cartoon-like illustrations move the story forward and add humor and personality to the characters.

Kirkus Reviews

<p>St. Romain, in her first published work, shows that she is a master storyteller with this Native American legend from Louisiana. During a flood, a woman and her children seek refuge in the giant cypress trees of the bayou. High in the branches the three cling together for warmth as night arrives and the moon comes out. Fearing that they will freeze to death, the woman implores the moon to help them, and she does. By drawing clouds near her and weaving all night, the moon fashions the most fragile of blankets with which to cover the family and keeps them warm until the flood finally recedes and the family is able to go home. Over the years, the moon's blanket is taken to other locations and becomes known as Spanish moss. No documentation is given for Waites's depiction of furry-looking garments and shoes worn by each of the family members or for the palmetto hut depicted as round, but without the willow or cypress poles normally thought to have supported the rounded roof of palmetto fronds and grass rope. While this is a straightforward telling that will engage the reader over and over again, the watercolor illustrations, while adequate, are not of the same stellar quality. An optional purchase for most libraries. (Picture book/folktale. 5-8)</p>

School Library Journal (Wed Oct 01 00:00:00 CDT 2003)

K-Gr 3 In this picture-book debut, St. Romain relays a Native American tale from Louisiana concerning the origin of Spanish moss. During a flood, a mother guides her son and daughter to safety in the branches of a cypress tree. Although removed from the dangers of the rising water, they are still plagued by the chill of the wind and rain, so the mother beseeches the moon for help. By morning, a soft moss blanket, woven from clouds, covers the threesome. While this book may have local interest, neither the telling nor the watercolor illustrations make it a first purchase for libraries farther afield. The tale does not develop interest in the family before the crisis; thus, page after page of bedraggled, pouting figures, paired with the relentless repetition of the narrative, becomes monotonous. Wendy Lukehart, Washington DC Public Library