School Library Journal:

★ This illuminating book brings an often-overlooked natural phenomenon to life as dust travels on the wind from a dry lake in Africa across the Atlantic Ocean to South America and beyond. (…) The mixed media illustrations are full of careful details in dreamy, soft colors with speckles of dust moving across the pages to create a sense of wonder. A beautiful blend of text and drawings shows the cycle of life through dust (…) masterly marriage of narrative and illustration, this outstanding exploration of a natural phenomenon is a very strong first buy. —Starred review

Kirkus:

Caldecott honoree Martinez-Neal’s art is a showstopper, however. Her mixed-media illustrations on hand-textured paper command attention, from the endpapers mapping the “Route of the Dust” to the ghostly remnants of fossils in a dust storm to a gorgeous bird’s-eye view of the Amazon and the tender hands of a brown-skinned adult and child, who will be the recipients of dust’s good work in the future.

A natural wonder, brought to vivid life.

Publishers Weekly:

Dotted with playful notes (…), the lines underscore themes of atmospheric connection: “dust…/ that binds us through time/ and space.” (…) Via impressionistic images, Martinez-Neal represents dust as small, sand-like particles that drift and dance, casting golden mist across the spreads.

Booklist:

(…) this illuminating picture book showcasing an unusual phenomenon and emphasizing the interconnectedness of our planet. (…) Martinez-Neal’s watercolor artwork is full of swirling golden splatters and speckles across each scene, which emphasizes the ubiquity of the dust and the importance of the process. Brockenbrough’s subject here might seem insignificant but she persuasively draws attention to its vital importance with this appealing, eye-catching presentation.