The book depicts the folk art of basket-making in the Hudson Valley of New York.

He dreams of selling baskets in the town of Hudson, and finally makes the trip on foot with his father, under the full moon.

After their trip, the townspeople mock them for being hillbillies, but the boy's neighbor reminds him of the value and skill of his craft.

The book was praised by Education Week, which noted Cooney's illustrations for imparting "a strong sense of place," as well as Ray's coming of age story.

[2] Kirkus Reviews also praised Ray's "touchingly luminous" story and Cooney's "poetic paintings.