A Ball for Daisy- Book Review

1.     Bibliography

Raschka, Chris. 2011. A BALL FOR DAISY. New York, NY: Random House, Inc. ISBN 9780375968618

2.     Plot Summary

In this beautiful word less picture book, Chris Raschka introduces us to a dog (Daisy) who clearly has a favorite red ball.  Daisy sleeps and cuddles with the red ball on the couch and is excited when her owner takes the red ball with them on a walk to the park.  Daisy has emotional ups and downs about the ball.  Daisy is excited to bring the ball to the park and then sad when it is caught in a fence.  Daisy is they joyful again when her owner retrieves the ball for Daisy to play with.  A larger dog then joins in and breaks the ball.  Daisy returns home sad and upset without her beloved toy.  This sad Daisy returns to the park with her owner and the same larger dog brings Daisy a blue ball.  Daisy shares the ball at the park and is able to take it home to keep.

3.     Critical Analysis

Raschka creates a beautifully written story without any words.  The expressions on Daisy’s face and her body language along with the action on the page portrays the real emotion of the joy and sadness a special toy or object can bring.  This story relates to anyone who has/had a special toy and the frustrations of someone else breaking/losing it.  Raschka’s story of Daisy appeals to children who love dogs, and can come in assistance to a teacher or parent who has a child who lost something special. 

The illustrations in this word less picture book come to life and speaks to the reader.  The watercolor pictures are arranged in clips of action in order to follow the plot.  The reader can truly see and feel the emotions Daisy experiences as the day goes on with her beloved toy. 

This picture book would be a great source in teaching young children that sometimes losses can lead to unexpected surprises, like Daisy getting a blue ball and a friend.

4.     Review Excerpt(s)

The Caldecott Award 2012

New York Times Best Seller

New York Times Best Illustrated

5.     Connections

*For upper grades, put students in groups of four and assign characters from the story: Daisy, Daisy’s owner, brown dog, brown dog owner.  Students can create a Readers Theater on what they infer the characters are saying in the story.

*For younger grades, have students retell the events in the story to a partner and create a sequence chart using a thinking map.