A Ball for Daisy

Bibliographic Data:  

 

Raschka, Chris. A Ball for Daisy. New York: Swartz and Wade, 2011.

ISBN 9780375858611

 

Plot Summary:

Daisy is dog who loves her big, red ball. Her love is evident as she eagerly bounces, rolls, chases, and naps with her ball. A trip to the park with Daisy’s owner begins with more rolling, chasing and fetching. A new friend wants to play too and joins the game of fetch but sadly, Daisy’s new playmate squashes the new ball after chomping too hard during their game. Daisy is evidently distressed by this loss. A reluctant second trip to the park reveals a gift from Daisy’s playmate. A new ball! Daisy is happy once again with a new blue ball to curl up with on the couch.

Critical Analysis:

A Ball for Daisy is extraordinary in the fact that the entire story is told exclusively through pictures. The “reader” is taken through a line of emotions ranging from ultimate bliss to an overwhelming sense of loss. The protagonist, Daisy, shows us rather than tells us, as any dog would, her strong feelings towards her big, red ball. The emotional aspects of the story are easily identifiable and allow children to comprehend what is going on through a “storyboard-like” series of colorful, inviting images.

Raschka’s illustrations in A Ball for Daisy are the foundation for the entire story. They are the story. Raschka’s painterly techniques are simplistic and his use of watercolors is warm and vibrant. He focuses more on the objects and characters rather than the backgrounds of the pages. The artwork carries a greater detail to facial expressions, for example Daisy’s moods throughout, and the vivid color of the red ball stands out more with background colors being slightly muted against the activities on each page. Each illustration is organized sequentially by either rectangular or boxed scenes.

This particular picture book is one that definitely fosters visual literacy through its vivid images and story thread. Additionally it promotes a clear, easy to follow plot for a broad variety of age groups to enjoy.

Awards:

Randolph Caldecott Medal Winner, 2012

New York Times Best Illustrated Children’s Books, 2011

 

Review Excerpt(s):

Starred review in School Library Journal, August 2011:
"Raschka’s genius lies in capturing the essence of situations that are deeply felt by children."

Starred Review in Horn Book, September/October 2011:
"a story that is noteworthy for both its artistry and its child appeal."

Starred Review in Kirkus Reviews, December 1, 2011:
“Rarely, perhaps never, has so steep an emotional arc been drawn with such utter, winning simplicity.”

 

Connections:

* Because this particular book in organized sequentially, certain pictures can be grouped as scenes fairly easily. Have each child play a character and act out the story scene by scene. This is their chance to apply words to the pictures they have just “read” visually.

* Incorporate a big, red ball into follow up discussion. Toss to those students who would like to share their thoughts.

*Some other wordless picture books to try:

 

    -Pinkney, Jerry. The Lion and the Mouse. ISBN 9780316013567

 -Wiesner, David. Flotsam. ISBN 978-0618194575