School Library Journal (Sun Jul 01 00:00:00 CDT 2012)

K-Gr 2 "All babies are beautiful" is a common belief among parents, and Mr. and Mrs. Deer are no exception. The happy couple rejoices when a bundle of joy shows up on their doorstep, as they have always wanted a baby to love. However, though this infant sports antlers, it is not very deerlike-in fact, it's spherical and covered in blue fur. As soon as the Deers take him in, the baby won't stop roaring. Like all new parents, they call a lifeline or two to come and help with the fussy youngster. Unfortunately, when the visitors are left alone with it, they quickly disappear. Granny Bear saves the day; when she burps the little troublemaker, all the other visitors are spit back up. Then the "dear little baby" is revealed to be "a LITTLE MONSTER!" Though the creature scampers off, the Deers' empty nest is refilled when a sweet blue "kitten" shows up at the end of the story. Children will absolutely delight in the silliness of this book. The illustrations are colorful, engaging, and quite funny. Be prepared for hilarity when you turn to the "burp!" spread. A great read-aloud or lap read, this one will have older children checking to see if their younger siblings are what they seem. Jasmine L. Precopio, Fox Chapel Area School District, Pittsburgh, PA

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

Part of the charm of this mischievous story from Puttock (Little Lost Cowboy) is that readers know more than the main characters, a childless deer couple that don-t know how to deal with the baby they find on their doorstep. Mr. and Mrs. Deer can-t understand why the baby-which has blue fur, a pair of taped-on antlers, and a lot of teeth-keeps roaring. Their friends try to help, but disappear whenever they are left alone with the baby (-How very peculiar!- say the deer). Shireen is a smart choice to illustrate, given the similarly wicked humor that propelled her Good Little Wolf (2011); her mixed-media art plays up both the baby-s maniacal tendencies and the other animals- cluelessness. Characters such as Uncle Duncan (a purple owl) and Auntie Agnes (a blue rabbit) get prim accessories like a beret and scarf-accessories that are all that remain of said characters until the baby burps them up and runs off. The repetitive structure and subversive humor should make this a storytime favorite. Ages 3-up. Agent: Jodie Marsh, United Agents. Illustrator-s agent: Penny Holroyde, the Caroline Sheldon Literary Agency. (July)

Horn Book (Mon Apr 01 00:00:00 CDT 2013)

When loving, childless Mr. and Mrs. Deer find a "dear little baby," they try to care for it, but the baby just roars and roars. They call in friends to help, but when left alone with the baby, each disappears--"How very peculiar!" Quirky, expressive mixed-media illustrations reveal that the baby is really a little monster from the start of this silly story.

Kirkus Reviews

Some parents are blind to the faults of their beloved babies. Mr. and Mrs. Deer are desperate for a baby to love and cuddle and read stories to. One morning they find a roaring bundle on their doorstep: their dream come true! Mr. Deer thinks the baby looks peculiar--it's bright blue, with a lot of sharp teeth--but Mrs. Deer won't hear a word of it. The hungry baby won't eat cheese or toast or vegetables. The Deers ask Uncle Duncan, a purple owl, for advice; Duncan declares that the baby needs warm milk. The Deers heat some in the kitchen, and when they return, Duncan is gone. The same mysterious mishap occurs when the Deers consult Aunt Agnes, a cute blue bunny, for advice on changing baby, and go to Dr. Fox to see if baby is sick. Granny Bear saves the day when she lifts the baby firmly to burp it. She pats and pats and pats, triggering an enormous eruption that unleashes green food bits...and the three missing animal advisors! Grandma Bear declares that it's a "Monster!" Puttock's fractured fairy tale unfolds with measured mirth, and all of Shireen's digitally depicted creatures are adorable, even the little monster. Both cute and creepy; for those seeking relief from unrelieved sweetness in their children's books. (Picture book. 3-6)