"Rule lengthens out one sled run into an entire book, but its pace is not slow and clunky, nor does it drag. Instead, she marvels in the details along the way, building up the suspense ... Thermes beautifully conveys the awesomeness of the hill they have chosen to tackle; none of the kids will speak their fears aloud, though their faces say volumes ... The watercolors give a wonderful array of viewpoints, showing the path of the sled run as well as close-ups of the children: fresh-faced and having the time of their lives."
Parents beware: Children are likely to scout out the highest hill to try to replicate this amazing run."
– Kirkus Reviews
"Rule sprinkles the exciting adventure with some lovely imagery ... Her lyrical tone mirrors the picturesque charm of Thermes's watercolor illustrations. The faces of the characters alight with anticipation and the crisp, snow-covered landscapes perfectly capture the joy and freedom of a carefree childhood. Young readers will shiver with delight along with the intrepid sledders as they stare down at their town, spread out below them, so tiny and far away."
– School Library Journal
"When an icy crust forms over the snow, Lizzie and her friends have one thing on their minds: sledding. Lizzie persuades her Grandpa Bud to lend her the homemade sled he used as a child ("We promised not to break ourselves"), and the children make the difficult climb up a slick, crusty hill of ice. Rule and Thermes gracefully depict the exhilaration of snowy play and the wisp of anxiety that comes as they gaze down the intimidating slope. There's a nostalgic air to the book; Lizzie's story reads like one that she'll pass down to later generations, just like Grandpa Bud's stories and his sled.
– Publishers Weekly
"... This is told with so much joie de vivre and illustrated with such humor and gusto that readers will have almost as much fun as the sledders. Although the story seems to be set in the present, the fact that Gramps, as a kid, slid past the blacksmith's shop points to an earlier era. Besides, it's hard to imagine today's protective parents allowing all this (dangerous) hilarity. Icy, dicey, and scary for sure!"
– Ilene Cooper, Booklist (American Library Association)
"Rule has created a book that captures the wildness and pure joy of sledding...Rule builds suspense really well here, having the children figure out what sled to use, where to get it, and then the puzzle of how to climb an icy hillside without all sliding back to the bottom. There is also plenty of action and movement throughout, creating a perfect pacing along with the text... Get this one on your shelves for the holidays and sledding season. You may just see your breath in the air as you read it aloud."
– Tasha Saecker, Librarian and Book Reviewer, Waking Brain Cells
"With each turn of the page, vivid watercolor illustrations set the stage for a magical ride that carries readers up and down, and back up again. A delightful romp of a read for all ages, this picture book deserves a spot under the Christmas tree this year ... right next to a sled from Santa."
– The Talking Walnut
