Kirkus says "An outstanding collection of tales with delightfully diverse and memorable characters."

“He kissed her on the cheek. She smiled broadly, wrinkles crackling across her thin face. When Terence, their oldest, asked, “How come Aunt Violet lives with us and not Grandma?” Ponty answered, “Because Mama doesn’t want to, and Aunt Violet cared enough about me to teach me how to love.” When Aunt Violet died two years later, Ponty and Juliette wept bitterly. At the gravesite, Ellie, age nine, turned to Juliette and asked, “Did she teach you how to love, too, Mama?” Juliette