Julie Cummins (Booklist, Sep. 1, 2005 (Vol. 102, No. 1))
Only the Stevens sisters could create such an over-the-top tale about fuzz. A big, red dog drops a green tennis ball down a prairie dog burrow, and a "fuzz reaction" erupts there. Everyone--except Big Bark--wants to twirl and swirl the stuff all over themselves, from head to toe. When the ball is plucked fuzzless, a fighting frenzy breaks out. After the feuding stops, the dogs discover Big Bark has snatched the goods and proclaimed himself "King of the Fuzz," a title short-lived when a hungry eagle plucks him up for lunch. Never fear, however: Big Bark lives on to bark another day. The mixed-media illustrations are classic Stevens, with the book's oversize format providing wide-angle close-ups and a good platform for both horizontal and vertical foldouts. Big Bark's bottle-cap hat and the dogs' farcical expressions play up the humor in the text, but it's the textured, chartreuse fuzz that steals the show. This fun-filled story demands to be read aloud. Category: Books for the Young--Fiction. 2005, Harcourt, $17. PreS-Gr. 2.

Ken Marantz and Sylvia Marantz (Children's Literature)
Violet, a playful dog, drops a fuzzy green tennis ball all the way down a tunnel into a group of puzzled prairie dogs. When little Pip Squeak bravely pokes the ball and puts some of the green fuzz on his head, the others begin to grab fuzz to use for all kinds of fantastic self-decoration. As the news spreads, prairie dogs from all around come to join the “fuzz frenzy,” “fuzz fiesta,” “fuzz fandango.” When all the fuzz is picked off the ball, a furious fight follows. Then the fuzz is taken away by bossy Big Bark; he, in turn, is snatched up by an eagle. The other prairie dogs manage to rescue him and swear off the troublesome fuzz in the future. But their troubles may not be over. On the back end-papers Violet hovers over a tunnel--as she did in the front--this time with a red tennis ball in her mouth. Just as the text enjoys playing with language, Stevens has fun creating madcap themes and variations in mixed media as she portrays the many ways the prairie dogs make use of the green stuff. There is a triple open-up spread to be held sideways as we follow the ball all the way down to the bottom of the tunnel. Bold white letters against the brown earth announce the excitement. A comic romp for all to enjoy. 2005, Harcourt, $17.00. Ages 3 to 7.

Kirkus (Kirkus Reviews, August 1, 2005 (Vol. 73, No. 15))
What would happen if a dog of the canine persuasion were to drop a green tennis ball down a prairie dogs' burrow? Why, the prairies would pick it apart, fashion all sorts of finery out of its fuzz and then get territorial about it when neighboring prairie dogs demanded their share. It's inevitable that a frenzy would ensue. After rescuing one of their own from an eagle's clutches, the prairies in this story finally realize that fuzz just isn't worth it. But along comes Violet the mutt again, this time with a red tennis ball, and then. . . . The energetic art and layout are the real standouts in this cute yet thin story. The dogs-both of the canis and burrow varieties-are expressive and hilarious, and readers can open up double-paged spreads and occasionally turn the volume vertically, a Stevens trademark. Dramatic font changes and words like Swoop! and Boink! add to the read-aloud fun. 2005, Harcourt, 56p, $17.00. Category: Picture book. Ages 3 to 7. © 2005 Kirkus Reviews/VNU eMedia, Inc. All rights reserved.

Christine Markley (Library Media Connection, March 2006)
The Dog Violet drops her tennis ball into a burrow as prairie dogs scramble for safety. Once the tennis ball comes to rest, they are both intrigued and scared. Big Bark, the local bully, tries to take over, but Pip Squeak is too quick. Pip Squeak discovers the tennis ball is fuzzy. A single piece of fuzz landing on her head leads to an all out frenzy as all the prairie dogs want fuzz of their own. When the neighboring prairie dogs hear about the fuzz, they join in grabbing fuzz until it is all off the tennis ball. Fights break out, as all the prairie dogs want more fuzz. Finally, exhausted, they fall asleep only to wake to find the fuzz gone. Big Bark has it all and is wearing it like a coat. As he is taunting them with the fuzz, an eagle swoops in and snatches him. Pip Squeak stops everyone from running in fear and they work together to save Big Bark. The fuzz is gone, but a community is created. The marvelous illustrations, filled with details and humor, capture all the emotions of the prairie dogs. Teachers will use this book to talk about community and teamwork. Students will enjoy the silliness of it. This wonderful book should be added to the collection. Highly Recommended. 2005, Harcourt, 56pp., $17 hc. Ages 5 to 9.

Horn Book (The Horn Book Guide, Spring 2006)
When a dog drops a tennis ball down a prairie dog hole, the action begins: all the prairie dogs want a piece of the fuzz, though leader Big Bark warns them against it. Whimsical illustrations feature prairie dogs bedecked variously in the fuzz. The book's ending is slightly didactic, but the narrative nicely blends rhyme, alliteration, and other wordplay. Category: Picture Books. 2005, Harcourt, 48pp, 17.00. Ages 4 to 9. Rating: 4: Recommended, with minor flaws.

Eloise Long (The Kutztown University Book Review, Spring 2006)
When the family dog drops a tennis ball into the underground burrow of an inquisitive bunch of prairie dogs, they scratch and pull until the green fuzz comes loose and causes a genuine fuzz frenzy. The fuzz runs out and an argument between the fuzzes and the fuzz-nots ensues. Exhausted from fighting, the prairie dogs sleep, and Big Bark, the prairie dog leader, steals the fuzz for himself. The decorated leader becomes prey for an eagle in search of food. The other prairie dogs decide to forgive and save him. Stevens' illustrations, mixed media on watercolor paper, capture the excitement caused by the fuzz in the underground world, and prepare the reader for the next adventure (the family dog lurks at the top of the burrow - red tennis ball in mouth). The full-page illustrations, both vertical and horizontal spreads, add to the frenzy of the underground battle. The fold-out format on several pages can be a problem for library borrowing, but that is not cause enough to bypass this rollicking adventure. It is a great read-aloud for primary grades. Category: Picture Book. 2005, Harcourt, $17.00. Ages 3 to 8.

Paula Day (The Lorgnette - Heart of Texas Reviews (Vol. 18, No. 3))
When a tennis ball lands in a prairie-dog town, the residents find that their newfound frenzy for fuzz creates a fiasco! This is an outlandish adventure about greed, teamwork, and fabulous fuzziness and is one of the most imaginative stories I have ever read! The illustrations add whimsical understanding to the hilarious text. Any young child will absolutely love this book. Fiction. Grades PreK-2. 2005, Harcourt, Unpaged., $17.00. Ages 3 to 8.