★ "The illustrations convey every joyful moment, [and] the story has a powerful message of pride, even in things that others might not consider beautiful . . . The book offers several jumping-off points for shared discussions: recycling, waste, repurposing, imagination, kindness, and, of course, economic inequity, [plus] Paul's glorious author's note . . . So much beauty in very few pages." --
School Library Journal (starred review)
"Thomas' vibrant illustrations are filled with energy and movement, with swirls of color and yellow stars dancing across the spreads. Paul's text makes wonderful use of specific details; together text and images speak to the resilience of the human spirit . . . A tender reminder that treasure can come from anywhere." --
Kirkus Reviews
"Using phrases that outline principles of princehood, Paul marries whimsical imaginings with a portrait of bounty created amid adversity. Thomas brings a reverence for color, imbuing [the pages] with jewel tones reflected in artfully rendered characters and garb. It's a loving portrait of a child embracing their innate value, taught by the queen [their mother] who loves them best." --
Publishers Weekly
