★ "This is the best kind of picture book, offering a satisfying reading experience while leaving plenty of space for wondering."—Booklist, Starred Review
 
★ "[Stead's] stunning artistic interpretation of this text (first published in 1960) is a triumph in how it matches the writing's quiet tone without sacrificing visual interest. . . . A picture book to love best in all seasons. —Kirkus Reviews, Starred Review  
 
"Sixty years after Zolotow wrote the book, its message continues to resonate now that the tale has been reimagined with new illustrations. The hand-drawn images and soft, muted colors transport readers into the calm, serene feeling of a garden throughout the year. From start to finish, readers will find relatable sentiments peppered throughout the pages of this story." —School Library Journal
 
"In loose, pale washes and warm, organic lines, Stead renders a garden that isn’t particularly elegant or manicured—there’s a stone wall, a tree with a swing, an abandoned car and tire planters, a pond to skate on. Small creatures come and go. It’s an intergenerational look at companionable contentment derived from the simplest things, anchored in the natural world."—Publishers Weekly