The book won the overall Nestlé Smarties Book Prize in 1989 and also won the 0–5 years category.[6] In 1989 it was an 'Honor Book' in the Boston Globe–Horn Book Awards.[7] The book also won the 'School Library Journal Best Book of the Year' and the 'Mainichi Newspapers Japanese Picture Book Award, Outstanding Picture Book from Abroad' award.[8] It was highly commended for the 1989 Kate Greenaway Medal.[9]