For The Secrets of the Rock, Kate Kohlbeck in the School Library Journal writes, “ This charming early chapter book is also a fun and painless way to learn some basic research skills. The all-mouse cast features Fribble, a third grader at Twitch Elementary School in Cheddarville , WI . When a large rock almost falls on him and his friend while they are doing a service project in the park, they discover that it is part of a marker erected in 1927 to honor Ehrich Weiss/Harry Houdini. Using libraries, an encyclopedia, indexes, the phone book, newspapers, biographies, books about magic, the Internet, a store owner, and more they find out that the magician performed a show in their town in 1901…. If you need a little magic in your basic library-skills instruction, try this approach.”
For Mr. Crumb's Secret in the Midwest Book Review, “A charming adventure which subtly encourages a young reader to make the most of school and public library resources.”
For Secrets of the Rock, a reviewer for Children's Bookwatch writes, “The Secrets of the Rock is a playful mystery for kids featuring Fribble Mouse and his delightful friends. A chapter book for young people making the transition from picture books to wordier fare, The Secrets of the Rock features a scattering of whimsical black and white drawings to illustrate the simple yet magical mystery that Fribble uncovers one day in the park. Young people will enjoy learning about piecing together clues even as Fribble does, in this delightful story.”
For It Happened in Rocky Mountain National Park Bette Erickson in the Boulder Daily Camera, “Phyllis J. Perry discloses little-known vignettes of much interest. She has meticulously researched and revealed, with historical accuracy, much about the national park that many of us didn't know. And Perry does it well.”
For A Kids' Look at Colorado, Clay Evens in the Boulder Daily Camera writes, “Perry's book will become the gold standard of source materials.”
Carol Heepke, writing for the Colorado Library Journal says, “Phyllis Perry has crafted a guide useful for teachers and parents who could use this book to plan enough vacation and field trips around the state to last a whole childhood, if not a lifetime!”
For Science Companion for Library, School, and Home , in a starred review in Burrelle, “In this work, Phyllis Perry, noted author and educator, has put together a book that will help primary school teachers improve their teaching skills and get more science into the minds of children .”
For Keeping the Traditions: A Multicultural Resource , highly recommended in Library Talk, “This title should prove extremely useful in both language arts and social studies classes.”
And in the Territorial Tattler, Robert Rodriguez writes, “Beginning storytellers will find this book a bonanza of multicultural background material.”
For Teaching Fantasy Literature: From the Hobbit to Harry Pottery, Anthony Pucci writes in Kliatt, “This well-organized guide should be helpful for any educator looking to incorporate work from the fantasy genre into the curriculum at the middle school level. The selections are worthwhile and the quality of the accompanying materials is excellent.”
For The Field Guide to Ocean Animals, the Barringa Book Review says, “This is a great book for stimulating a child's interest and involving hands-on creativity as part of the learning experience.