"Move over, Paul Bunyan, you are about to meet Swamp Angel, an original creation in the tall-tale tradition whose exploits are guaranteed to amaze and amuse a wide swath of readers. . . Visually exciting, wonderful to read aloud, this is a picture book to remember."
- starred review, Horn Book
"It is impossible to convey the sheer pleasure, the exaggerated loopiness, of newcomer Isaacs's wonderful story. Matching the superb text stride for stride are Zelinsky's altered-state, American primitive paintings--gems that provide new pleasures, reading after reading."
- starred review, Kirkus
Honors:
1995 Caldecott Honor Book
- 2013 Phoenix Picture Book Award by the Children's Literature Association
- 1995 Boston Globe-Horn Book Honor Book
- 1994 ALA Notable Book
- New York Public Library, 100 Books Every Child Should Read
- New York Times Best Illustrated Books of 1994
- School Library Journal Best Books of 1994
- Booklist Children's Editors Choices 1994
- Publisher's Weekly Best Books of 1994
- Time Magazine's 8 Best Children's Books, 1994
- Parenting Magazine Reading-Magic Award, 10 Best Books of 1994
- 1995 Notable Trade Book in Language Arts, National Council of Teachers of English
- Book of the Month Club featured selection
- Japanese and Korean editions
- Featured on Storytime, PBS
- Starred reviews: Horn Book, Booklist, Kirkus, Bulletin, Publisher's Weekly, School Library Journal