Irene and The Big, Fine Nickel:
"The author joyfully creates a sense of time and place with colorful descriptions and dialogue, successfully integrating elements of African-American culture."
-Horn Book

"Being black is shared, but only as one more natural color in the rich canvas of daily life... A reminder that occasionally the urban experience can foster community rather than alienation."
-Booklist

Jonathan and His Mommy:
"The bond between mother and child is evident on every page; the generous visual scope and delightful cadence make it a wonderful read-aloud."
-School Library Journal

"The combination of text and illustration is a true celebration of the love and security of family and neighborhood."
-Horn Book

Kevin and His Dad:
"In this companion to Jonathan and His Mommy, Kevin and his father clean house and then enjoy a day together...The verse effectively uses alliteration, repetition, and rhyme to express emotion, provide dramatic movement, and give a sense of housekeeping's repetiveness."
-Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

"There is something profoundly elemental going on in Smalls's book: the capturing of a moment of unmeditated joy."
-Kirkus