This book is the winner of numerous awards. It was recognised in the Picture Book category by the Georgia Children's Book Award. It was recognised in the Author category by the Coretta Scott King Award. Presented annually since 1970 by the American Library Association to books by African-America authors and illustrators, this award recognizes excellence in promoting a deeper understanding of the African-American Experience. It also was recognised in the Ages 7-10 Years category by the Capitol Choices Noteworthy Books for Children and Teens.

There are 32 pages in this book. This is a picture book. A picture book uses pictures and text to tell the story. The number of words varies from zero ('wordless') to around 1k over 32 pages. Picture books are typically aimed at young readers (age 3-6) but can also be aimed at older children (7+). This book was published 2011 by HarperCollins Publishers Inc .

Eloise Greenfield is the author of 47 books for children. She has received many awards and honours, including the 2018 Coretta Scott King-Virginia Hamilton Award for Lifetime Achievement and the Award for Excellence in Poetry for Children from the National Council of Teachers of English. Ms. Greenfield was born on May 17, 1929, in Parmele, North Carolina and grew up in Washington, DC, where she still lives.