Abby Nolan (Booklist, May 15, 2007 (Vol. 103, No. 18))
Taking a cue from John 14:2—“In my Father’s house are many mansions”—Appelt pays tribute not to God’s heavenly creation but to the wonders here on Earth. Singsong quatrains express gratitude for the diversity and beauty of nature, including a variety of landscapes—prairie, marsh, desert, mountains—as well as the animals who inhabit them. The slant rhymes in several of the stanzas may cause some readers to stumble, but the ecological concern behind the poetry will speak to children. Though occasionally Colón’s intrepretations of the text seem too literal, his paintings’ rich textures and colors, often suggesting the stylized designs of stained glass, support the text’s reverential, celebratory tone. Reminded of the splendor of Earth’s biodiversity and the mysteries of the heavens, readers of many faiths will echo Appelt’s heartfelt conclusion:  “Oh my Father, thank you / For all your many mansions . . . / I’ll keep them fast inside my heart, / For this is what I know . . .  / That each and every mansion / Makes this planet we call Home.” Preschool-Grade 2

Sheilah Egan (Children's Literature)
This versatile, talented author has given a new dimension to the quote “In my Father’s house are many mansions.” Appelt has the speaker thanking the Father for the various habitats of the Earth--those areas that make up the “mansions” of our very planet. Without preaching, she gives the reader a lyrical word picture of such diverse settings as the Tundra, the Rainforest, the Ocean, the Shore, the Marsh, and the Prairie. The illustrations are gorgeous visual punctuations for the clear, flowing verses: “And where the trees stand oh so close, Where deer and rabbits rest, I’ll wander through these Woodland halls Where songbirds build their nests.” Effortlessly inviting the reader to experience the essence of each geographical area, the author introduces quite a few facts that define the habitat--woodlands have deer, rabbits, and songbirds. The award-winning illustrator has contributed double spreads that not only echo the text but also expand the total experience of this beautiful book. The author’s dedication of the book to Al Gore reflects her own care for this “beautiful blue planet” that we all share, while Colon’s art provides the perfect setting for her expressions of delight and gratitude for the earth. Whether depicting the far north with its magical Northern Lights or showing us a young person with arms open wide to embrace the entire ocean, his masterful talent is displayed as the perfect complement to the gentle, loving text. Early readers will appreciate being able to read much of this for themselves, and older readers will understand that the language is sophisticated but not obtuse. Reading this title aloud to a group or all on one’s own will prompt thoughtful discussion. This is definitely a first choice for libraries and family collections. 2007, Viking/Penguin, $16.99. Ages 3 up.

Mary Quattlebaum (Children's Literature)
My Father’s House offers a poem of thanksgiving for the natural world. The text by Kathi Appelt highlights different regions around the world, giving praise for the woodland deer and rabbits, Arctic tundra foxes, desert coyote and ocean full of “salted silver spray,” blue whales and flying fish. Soft-toned illustrations in color pencil and watercolor by artist Raul Colon add to the general feeling of reverence. While not explicitly religious or didactic, the book has a spiritual core that encourages both gratitude for the Earth’s beauty and a sense of shared responsibility for the animals, plants and places portrayed. 2007, Viking/Penguin, $16.99. Ages 3 up.

Kirkus (Kirkus Reviews, April 15, 2007 (Vol. 75, No. 8))
A familiar Bible verse from the Book of John ("in my Father's house are many mansions") serves as the inspiration for this rhyming text expressing thanks for the wonders of the natural world. This traditional wording is followed throughout the text, with thanks offered to "the Father" without further reference to God. Successive verses describe the beauty and inhabitants of various environments: ocean, tundra, woodland, prairie, rain forest, marsh, desert, mountains and space. Some of the verses succeed as lovely descriptive poetry, but others have ending rhymes that don't quite work, particularly in the concluding verse. Children will need an adult's help to understand the symbolic meaning of "mansions" in this context, as well as explanation of a few metaphors, such as porches on mountains or painted kitchen walls in the desert environment. Expressive illustrations in colored pencil and watercolor use a technique mimicking scratchboard, which is attractively echoed in colored background surrounding the text blocks. Col-n's illustrations include people of different ethnic groups and a flowing, surrealistic interpretation of planets, stars and imaginary mansions floating under a rainbow canopy. 2007, Viking, 32p, $16.99. Category: Picture book/religion. Ages 4 to 8. © 2007 Kirkus Reviews/VNU eMedia, Inc. All rights reserved.

Ruth Gavin (Kutztown Book Review, Spring 2008)
This poem celebrates the beauty of nature by giving thanks for its many aspects, from the stars in the sky to the rainforest and the desert. The illustrations contribute to the mood and theme of the poem: nature is wonderful. Together, they successfully convey a sense of wonder and appreciation for nature. The title and the text allude to the Bible verse from John 14:2, “In my Father’s house are many mansions.” This book is lovely and clearly intended to express and teach appreciation of Earth’s variety and beauty. It could be used to introduce a unit on different climates, but only in certain settings, since its text clearly expresses a Judeo-Christian worldview, giving thanks to “My Father” for each new marvel in the world. Ironically, the text takes the verse out of context, applying a teaching about heaven to the natural world, giving a poem with a psalm-like beginning a modernistic and somewhat incongruous ending. Category: Picture Book/Poetry. 2007, Viking, $16.99. Ages 3 to 9.