A Ball for Daisy

A Ball for Daisy, by Chris Raschka, 2012

Raschka, Chris. 2012. A Ball for Daisy. Ill. by the author. New York City: Schwartz & Wade Books. ISBN 978-0-375-85861-1

In his latest whimsically painted wordless picture book for ages 2-5, author and illustrator Chris Raschka introduces us to a small and energetic dog named Daisy. When we meet Daisy, the object of her affection, or perhaps obsession, is a big red ball. Daisy entertains herself with the ball, sleeps with her ball, and plays fetch with it at a city park. Then the unthinkable happens – an interloping canine at the park, a brown poodle, intercepts the ball and accidentally pops it. The next few pages are like watching a friend go through the stages of grief – shock, denial, depression, and perhaps acceptance (or maybe not). And to make matters worse, her favorite toy is unceremoniously thrown in the trash by her young-girl owner on their way home. But Raschka rewards the reader with a happy ending when Daisy goes back to the park and is given a big blue ball by the brown poodle and its young-girl owner. So Daisy gets a new favorite toy and a new friend.

This heart-warming tale is one in which both children and adults will be able to relate. Raschka’s beautiful watercolor illustrations show readers expressions on Daisy’s face that we can all relate to after the loss of something or someone important. Broad strokes of gray and black, and a bright red tongue, create the feisty Daisy. Her bright red ball stands out throughout the story, even after it becomes a flattened blob on the ground. Raschka also contrasts Daisy well against a boldly colored teal and chartreuse sofa, and her owner’s yellow-and-orange patterned dress. Splashes of watercolor reflect Daisy’s moods throughout the story, and the pictures seem to effortlessly flow across the page. They draw your eyes along as you create the story in your mind – a story akin to an emotional rollercoaster.

Loss can bring up powerful emotions. When adults read this book with children, they should be prepared to talk about loss and anxiety and understand that children often want to share their own personal stories, which shouldn’t be discounted. It will also be a good book to help children identify and discuss the expressions on Daisy’s face (in good times and bad), and what they might mean, to help children build their emotive vocabularies. As with many wordless picture books, children can be encouraged to write out the story in their own words to build their writing skills. Story elements such as sequence of events, character traits, and problem/solution can be identified and analyzed by elementary-age students.

Raschka ably deserves the Randolph Caldecott Medal for 2012, which he won for this eye-pleasing book. It will undoubtedly become a classic in the wordless picture book genre. A character as endearing as Daisy could easily become a new storybook darling. Could there be a sequel about Daisy’s next life lesson? Only Chris Raschka knows for sure.

Want to learn more about A Ball for Daisy? Here's the official website at Random House, which includes a book trailer by the author's 17-year-old son:

http://www.randomhouse.com/book/139226/a-ball-for-daisy-by-chris-raschka

Chris Raschka's author's website is at:

http://authors.simonandschuster.com/Chris-Raschka/1786251

Reviews:

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

The Horn Book (Starred review): “It’s a…story that is noteworthy for both its artistry and its child appeal.” (Sept./Oct. 2011)

Kirkus Reviews (Starred review): “Rarely, perhaps never, has so steep an emotional arc been drawn with such utter, winning simplicity.” (Nov. 2011)

The Wall Street Journal: “In making their choice, the Caldecott judges rightly praised the book's "deceptive simplicity," which really does get to the heart of how it is to be very young.” (Jan. 2012)

Awards:

Randolph Caldecott Medal, 2012

A Junior Library Guild Selection, 2010

New York Times’ 10 Best Illustrated Children’s Books of 2011

School Library Journal Best Book of the Year, 2011

American Library Association’s Notable Children’s Book, 2012