ALA Booklist (Wed Apr 01 00:00:00 CST 1992)

The 1972 edition of this picture book , showing a loving Inuit family, was a quiet volume that spoke to children with unexpected power. In the new edition, the illustrator replaces her original artwork (expressive black ink drawings with brown washes) with softly delineated pastel drawings showing a different Inuit family--the young mother here could be the baby girl from the first edition, 20 years later. While those who loved the old version will miss the original illustrations, children coming fresh to the book will find it as simple and comforting as a rocking chair ride on mother's lap. A classic, re-illustrated with finesse. (Reviewed Apr. 1, 1992)

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.

School Library Journal

PreS-Gr 2-- An update of the 1972 collaboration (McGraw-Hill; o.p.). Coalson improves upon a fine original work, drawing the Eskimo mother as a younger woman and adding color, finer lines, and details of contemporary Inuit life. Scott's spare, gentle text has not been altered; the difference is its placement on the page. The universality of all-encompassing maternal love transcends ethnicity and still rings true in the update, but Coalson's realistic, warm illustrations give On Mother's Lap revitalized energy to reach a new generation of youngsters. Libraries still owning the earlier work can get by, but this one is a top choice. --Mollie Bynum, Chester Valley Elementary School, Anchorage, AK