Review of A Ball for Daisy Written and Illustrated by Chris Raschka

1. Bibliography
Raschka, Chris. 2011. A BALL FOR DAISY. New York: Swartz and Wade Books. ISBN 8790375958618

2. Plot Summary
In this very simple, straight-foward all picture, no word book, the author shares a story of a dog, Daisy, and her love for a ball. Daisy plays with the ball all over the place and loves every minute of it until one day something happens to the ball. The falling action begins with Daisy's sadness, but by the end of the book she has a new ball to play with. Her adventures begin again!

3. Critical Analysis
The illustrations in this book tell a sweet, story. The illustrations take on a whimsical feel, like you are being swept away into a playful watercolor. The lines of Daisy the dog are very curvy and blurred just a bit to give you the perspective of a professional children's drawing or painting. Children can relate very well to this story. The pictures are colorful and enticing with vingnettes of illustrations grouped together like mini flip books to give the reader a clear picture of the plot.

Raschka's illustrations appear to be created with swiftness and preciseness all at the same time. The brush strokes are quick  and whispy, proving that the theme of play and the joy that comes from that is the major message in this book. The reader is taken on a wordless journey of understanding Daisy's joy in playing with a simple object to her feelings of melancholy when she loses her prized possession and back to elation when a new ball is discovered. Children will find this book very relatable since most of us have experienced the pleasure in simple things and also the feelings that come with losing something special. This may be difficult for some children to understand if they have trouble with expressing themselves orally. On the other hand, what better book to help children undertand the power of a picture.

4. Review Excerpt(s)
2012 Randolph Caldecott Medal Winner
Starred review in SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: "Raschka’s genius lies in capturing the essence of situations that are deeply felt by children."
Starred Review, HORN BOOK: "A story that is noteworthy for both its artistry and its child appeal."
Starred Review, KIRKUS REVIEWS: “Rarely, perhaps never, has so steep an emotional arc been drawn with such utter, winning simplicity.”

5. Connections
This book would be perfect for leading a discussion on the emotions of happiness versus sadness.
Compare other picture books by Raschka or other authors that share the same themes and emotions.
Have children write the story of A BALL FOR DAISY, using dialogue and the conventions of storytelling.
This book would also be a great way to introduce the parts of plot.
*Another wordless picture book with similar themes :
Wiesner, David. 2006. FLOTSAM. Ill. by David Wiesner. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt: New York. ISBN 13: 9780618194575.

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