"A cogent message of love and acceptance is portrayed through the spare language and delicate watercolor illustrations of this diverse picture book. Children playing in a park gradually join together to form a single playful “circle,” the backgrounds a muted sepia around each new addition—until they join the fun. Body diversity—one boy arrives with a service dog; a little girl has hearing aids—and multiple ethnicities are represented without being remarked upon, making this a subtle, unifying text." ― ForeWord

"This warm-hearted playground-set concept book focuses on circles and on counting from one to ten….The message of inclusion, underscored by the illustrations casual diversity in characters’ skin tones, ethnicities, genders, and abilities, is clear for very young children—all of whom would likely be welcomed enthusiastically into this circle of friends." ― The Horn Book

"Emphasizing circular objects’ ability to connect individuals, Cha’s digitally colored ink illustrations juxtapose smudgy, sepia-toned scenes of solo kids on a playground with chromatic depictions of a growing group’s energetic exploits….[the final spreads] gains full color when more children join in the fun. Past 10, a circle of smiling children “gathers,” “opens,” and “grows,” simply showcasing the shape’s—and children’s—ability to expand and include." ― Publishers Weekly

"This ode to kindness and a welcoming spirit is cheerful and textually minimal, focusing on number words one to 10, active verbs, and the words circle or circles in boldfaced larger type. Lively ink illustrations feature smiling children enjoying one another’s company and also, notably, being mutually helpful." ― Kirkus Reviews