"Rogers’ appended note acknowledges that Rawls would fictionalize parts of his own autobiography, a fact that places both author and illustrator in a position of telling the story of an unreliable narrator. What is reliable is the book’s dedication to the idea of writing from the heart. A poignant tribute to the power of story." —Kirkus Reviews
"If one book should come with a hanky, it’s Where the Red Fern Grows, but this profile of its author packs an emotional punch, too... Appropriately, dogs frequent Reagan’s digital-watercolor scenes of a lanky country lad writing on sand or paper scraps and growing up to share his stories with crowds of schoolchildren."—Booklist
"While I had never read the classic Where the Red Fern Grows, I know enough about it to be curious about its author. Lisa Rogers' beautifully written biography of Rawls was the best way to learn more about him. She has a light and concise touch with words that make you feel as though you were right next to Rawls experiencing ups and downs with him while not being bogged down by the weight of life. This is perfectly complimented by Susan Reagan's warm watercolor-based illustrations. This book is a delight to read with a child but, because of its solid backmatter, can also be used as research for writing school reports." —Teresa Robeson, award-winning author of Clear and Bright
"Woody's Words is an inspiring story of chasing your dreams, perseverance, grit, and love. I enjoyed every bit of it. Highly recommended!" —Lynda Mullaly Hunt, New York Times bestselling author of Fish in a Tree
"'Dreams can come true' is one of Woody’s messages to young people --and to everyone. Through Woody and Sophie's determination, dreams did come true. We wish, through this beautiful book and story of his life, that children will continue to be inspired by Woody and his stories." —Mary Wedig and Jane Zwiefelhofer, nieces of Sophie Rawls
"My uncle, Woodrow Wilson Rawls, was a tall, thin, mild-mannered man, larger than life to me as a child. He always had a story of his adventures to tell, whether in my Grandma’s living room, around a hunting campfire, or waiting patiently for fish to bite. I am very proud to be a member of his family and carry fondly his stories and memories with me today. I hope readers of this book come to admire him and his stories as much as I do." —Patti Rawls, Woody's niece
The fear that many creatives feel when it comes to sharing their work—and exposing their own imperfections—is deeply, deeply relatable... Just such a beautiful picture of love triumphing over fear... I love Where the Red Fern Grows, and I love Rogers's book about the man who wrote it. I give my HEARTFELT recommendation of this commendable work of children's non-fiction, and hope that many parents, children, and educators will read it.” —Victoria M, Essa Public Library, Canada.
