* "Beautifully carries the story of a baby’s first birthday while also expressing the varied feelings and reactions children are likely to experience. VERDICT A clear winner for toddlers and their parents, this is also a lovely addition for read-alouds. Highly recommended."

– School Library Journal - starred review, February 2019

"Blackwood’s line work and watercolors, set against crisp white backgrounds, offer a sketchbook immediacy that places readers in the thick of the action; her small subjects’ chubby bodies are as expressive as their faces."

– Publisher's Weekly, January 2019

"The artwork perfectly captures the mood of the day as it shifts from happy anticipation and engagement to a fractious mood, reflected in the characters’ expressions and body language. With a diverse cast of endearing babies and their parents, this Australian picture book will have broad appeal among young children."

– Booklist

"It's a first birthday celebration for baby, and lots of baby friends join in the festivities.... Blackwood's illustrations...are lovely, with her customary delicately energetic line and a palette of mostly primary red, yellow, and blue. Adult readers will appreciate the two-page spread that so accurately depicts what it's like trying to take a photo of a group of wiggly little ones. Overall, this is a nice approach to the classic first-birthday book, offering a sense of play and nuance in both the brief text and the lovely illustrations. A refreshing first-birthday book, with subtleties for adult readers and details for little ones."

– Kirkus

"A spare, lilting text . . . introduces and describes the babies; they and the text’s sketchedin scenarios are fleshed out with humor and warmth by the pencil-and-watercolor-wash illustrations. . . . A sweet but realistic portrayal of a first-birthday celebration."

– The Horn Book