Peachaloo in Bloom

Raschka s prose is charming, written in a rural deadpan reminiscent of KateDiCamillo, and the accompanying drawings are comical and oddball, like many of the novel s eccentric characters.
The New York Times

Raschka draws on his inner teen and grown-up as well as his inner child for this wry tale. . . . The strength of small-town stories like this is nearly always in the cast, and here the author ropes in a lively one. . . . Still, it s Peachaloo . . . who really owns this beguiling story. . . . Fourwords small-town characters and character come alive in the frequent black-and-white sketches.
Booklist (starred review)

Rambling omniscient narration from an observant, good-humored townsperson imparts a cozy atmosphere. . . .Loose blackline illustrations by Caldecott Medalist Raschka depict the eclectic small-town cast with fluid forms.
Publishers Weekly

Humor joins clever dialogue and an engaging plot that will sweep readers away to a whirlwind ending. . . . Eccentricity abounds in this fantastical underdog tale of natural and historical preservation.
Kirkus Reviews

Raschka has created a wonderland of the whimsical and weird, with specific and eccentric tertiary characters, a preening and completely unredeemed villain, and a town rich with history and tradition, all bolstered by his signature twisted-but-lovely, pen-and-ink illustrations.
Bulletin of the Center for Children s Books

A rollicking, digressive, and (unsurprisingly given Raschka s work as an illustrator) highly visually descriptive novel.
The Horn Book

Raschka s engaging story will win readers hearts with its humorous, adventure-filled tale. . . .An enjoyable addition for upper elementary and middle school collections as an alternative to Diary of a Wimpy Kid and Captain Underpants.
School Library Journal