A Ball for Daisy
written and illustrated by Chris Raschka
Chris Raschka has written and illustrated over twenty
children's books and has illustrated books by other authors. He has received
two Caldecott Medals for A Ball for Daisy in 2012 and The Hello, Goodbye Window
in 2006, as well as a Caldecott Honor Award for Yo? Yes! in 1994.
A Ball for Daisy is a wordless book, which challenges
children to use their imagination to create their own text. This adorable story
follows a dog named Daisy through her playtime adventures with a beloved red
ball. Daisy is thrilled until her red ball pops and she becomes disappointed
and sulky... until she receives a gift from a kind friend.
Raschka created an interesting book by using illustrations to stimulate and involve the reader. There are no words, so the reader must rely 100% on the illustrations along with their own imagination to tell the story. The style of art is appropriate for the age level intended (ages 3-7) and the reader can easily identify with the main character, Daisy. The colorful illustrations move the plot along quickly and colors drastically change depending on Daisy's mood. For example, when Daisy's ball pops and she is unhappy Raschka uses darker colors to portray her emotions.
- School Library Journal,August 2011: "Raschka’s genius lies in capturing the essence of situations that are deeply felt by children."
- Horn Book, September/October 2011: "a story that is noteworthy for both its artistry and its child appeal."
- Kirkus Reviews, December 1, 2011:“Rarely, perhaps never, has so steep an emotional arc been drawn with such utter, winning simplicity.”
Raschka, Chris. A Ball for Daisy. New York: Schwartz & Wade Books, 2011.
ISBN 978-0-375-85861-1
$11.98 at Barnes & Noble
Work consulted: Vardell, Sylvia M. Children's Literature in Action: A Librarian's Guide. Connecticut: Libraries Unlimited, 2008.
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