Review of A Ball For Daisy

Bibliography

Raschka, Chris. A Ball For Daisy. Illustrated by Chris Raschka, New York: Schwartz & Wade Books, 2011, ISBN 978-0-375-85861-1

Plot Summary

A Ball for Daisy is a wordless picture book beautifully illustrated by Chris Raschka.  The story begins on the title page in which Daisy the dog receives a new toy, a red ball.  The love Daisy has for her new toy is evident in the illustrations of her playing and cuddling up with the ball even in sleep.   Daisy and her owner take the ball to the park to play.  You can see the disappointment in Daisy when the ball goes over the fence, and the excitement when the ball is returned to Daisy.   Daisy makes a new friend and the two dogs continue to play with the ball.  The ball is popped during play and Daisy is very sad.  Through the illustrations you feel Daisy’s loss of her beloved toy.  Daisy’s owner takes her to the park again and the two meet up with the other dog and it’s owner who gives Daisy a new blue ball to replace the one that was popped.  The story ends with Daisy, happily asleep, cuddled up to the new blue ball.

Critical Analysis

The illustration's are done in watercolors with primary colors that will appeal to children.  The simple story is timeless and the illustrations are so expressive that words are not needed.  Line and color help express Daisy’s emotions.  When Daisy is happy the colors are bright and when she is sad or disappointed  the colors are dull and dark.    The story is told in horizontal blocks.  Some pages have 3 to 4 illustrations per page.  Single, larger illustrations on a page highlight significant plot points.  Young children will connect with the fun, playful dog and older children and adults will notice the themes of joy, loss, and recovery.  
 

Awards

The Caldecott Medal, 2012
2012 ALSC Notable Children’s Book
New York Times Book Review, Best Illustrated Children’s Book Award

Horn Book Fanfare:  Raschka’s wordless take on an age-old story is fresh and wholly engaging: Daisy’s emotions, which range from joy to sadness and back again, are captured in every squiggly, impressionistic line. Notable both for the ingenuity of its artistry and the depth of its child appeal.

School Library Journal Best Books of 2011:  A gray-and-white pup and her red ball are constant companions until a poodle inadvertently deflates the toy, taking the air out of Daisy as well. Raschka’s nuanced illustrations brilliantly depict joy, shock, disbelief, sadness–and, with the gift of a blue ball–renewed contentment.


Connections

Lead a discussion on favorite childhood toys.  Have you ever lost or broken a toy?  How did it make you feel?

Do you have a pet?  Do pets have personalities?  Draw or create watercolors of a pet.

Other illustrated books by Chris Raschka to consider:
The Hello, Goodbye Window, a 2006 Caldecott Medal recipient.  Story written by Norton Juster and Illustrated by Chris Raschka.   
or
Yo! Yes?, a 1994 Caldecott Honor book.