[2][3][4] Booklist described Osborne's text as a "heartfelt simplicity and a touch of melancholy" while also calling Bittinger's oil paintings "spectacular".

The Horn Book Magazine also applauded Bittinger's oil illustrations saying that they "effectively portray both boys' imaginary travels.

"[2] Rocking Horse Christmas was chosen by The American Booksellers as their "Pick of the Lists.

"[6] An article in Albemarle Magazine stated that Bittinger spent six months working on preliminary drawings and the illustrations for the book.

[7] One of Bittinger's illustrations from the book was featured on the cover of the Lands' End kids' holiday catalog in 1997.