This is a lovely, understated gem. DiCamillo (two-time Newbery winner) proves she can tell a complete emotional arc with almost no words—just 'la la la' repeated—and Jaime Kim's illustrations carry the rest. It's the kind of book that feels like a warm hug after a hard day.

That said, it's not going to blow anyone's mind. It's short (you'll read it in under five minutes), and while the message is sweet, it's also straightforward: keep trying, and eventually someone will respond. There's no twist, no humor, no wild imagination—just a simple, tender story about connection.

It works beautifully as a bedtime book or a tool for talking about loneliness with young kids. But if your kid wants dragons or fart jokes or literally anything with a plot, this isn't it. It's quiet, contemplative, and earnest—which is either exactly what you need or exactly what will put your kid to sleep (in a good way, honestly).