ALA Booklist (Wed Jun 01 00:00:00 CDT 2016)

In this companion to Felix Stands Tall (2015), Fiona volunteers to be best-friend Felix's Birthday Elf, charged with bringing treats for his school birthday party. Though she knows exactly what he likes (vanilla cupcakes with raspberry icing and lemon sprinkles), she forgets to bring treats to school and claims the cupcakes were stolen by three second-grade boys. Confronted by the trio, her story evolves: the thieves were actually alligators with the same names. Pressed for the truth, she eventually admits her lies and apologizes to the accused, and the class prepares to celebrate with Miss B's emergency stash of bran bars. Wells' droll narrative tackles a familiar childhood situation with empathy and understanding. Fiona's dishonesty stems from embarrassment, not malice, and Felix is more concerned about her feelings than his birthday treat. Watercolor and aquarelle pencil illustrations capture the nuances of this endearing guinea-pig cast, and the thought balloons depicting Fiona's elaborate fabrications are especially appealing. Fiona's mama makes a last-minute appearance in a surprising (and sweet) ending to this sure-to-be-popular tale.

Kirkus Reviews (Thu Sep 01 00:00:00 CDT 2016)

How can you un-tell a lie?Furry friends Felix and Fiona are back again, this time to learn more about friendship, telling the truth, and taking responsibility for mistakes. Fiona is supposed to be Felix's birthday elf and bring cupcakes to school, but even though her teacher gives her a note, she completely forgets. Rather than disappoint her friend, she invents a tale in which she accuses the second-grade Terrible Three of snarfing down the cupcakes and gobbling them up like vampires. Miss B immediately goes to fetch the supposed perps. Felix isn't angry though; he realizes that Fiona isn't telling the truth and tries to figure out a way to help her out of the whole mess. Wells' lovable guinea pigs are rendered in watercolor and pencil with just the right amount of detail, including a natty green suit for second-grade teacher Mr. Bumpershock. While perhaps not Wells' most outstanding work, this selection is still notable for its subtlety, humor, and warmth as well as its pitch-perfect depiction of childhood hopes and fears. And though Fiona comes clean to the relief of all, it just may be Fiona's mother (and her cooking skills) who saves the day in the end. A gently humorous take on being honest and learning to admit when you're wrong. (Picture book. 4-7)

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

In this sequel to Felix Stands Tall, Fiona is named Birthday Elf for her best friend Felix, but she forgets her responsibilities and shows up at school the next day without the cupcakes she was supposed to bring. Desperate, she concocts a story about three cupcake thieves, a lie that quickly catches up with her. Wells is in fine form and her succinct, direct text doesn-t pull any punches, but she-s never less than sympathetic to all her characters; few artists can equal her empathy and artistry when it comes to depicting a child in the throes of mortification. The ending offers readers an important lesson: a moral slip-up need not be a black mark on one-s permanent record. Ages 5-8. (Sept.)

School Library Journal (Thu Sep 01 00:00:00 CDT 2016)

PreS-Gr 2 Wells offers another tale with favorites Fiona and Felix. This time, Fiona is thrilled to volunteer as the Birthday Elf, tasked with bringing in a treat for the class to celebrate Felix's birthday. While riding home from school, Fiona notices a caterpillar and forgets all about her task. The next day at school, she lies, stating that a trio of alligator thieves stole and ate the cupcakes. Forced to confront the thieves and consumed by guilt, Fiona tells the truth. All ends well when Fiona's mom shows up with a batch of cupcakes. Wells demonstrates a difficult concept for some children, that it is best to tell the truth when one has made an honest mistake. The decision to come clean is no less difficult for Fiona, as she admits the truth only when she is caught in her lie and coaxed by an adult. While the story is true to life, the morality lesson could be muddled for children. Yet Fiona's apology to those she accused of stealing is another valuable lesson, with a positive ending for everyone. VERDICT Wells's familiar illustrations and playful storytelling will likely attract fans of the author and these characters. A solid read-aloud to share with a class and spark a meaningful discussion. Kaitlin Malixi, formerly at Virginia Beach Public Library