Hillenbrand masterfully portrays facial expressions… making it clear to even the youngest of readers what the friends are feeling when the playground rules are broken. —Kirkus Reviews
Hillenbrand's artwork features simply shaped, high-spirited animals outlined in black. All the fun they are having is contagious. —Booklist
The text is simple enough for beginners since the softly shaded, multimedia color illustrations provide excellent visual clues. The pictures are full of active animals under the watchful tutelage of whistle-wearing Penguin.
—School Library Journal