Daisylocks

February 15, 2014
The story of a daisy seed looking for the best place to grow is here used as a tool to introduce different habitats. Dissatisfied with where she's first planted, Daisylocks--the reference to Goldilocks becomes clear as the pages turn--asks Wind to assist her, and across the pages she arcs, looking rather a lot like a dandelion seed with a contrail. First, Wind takes her to the desert, which is too hot. The tundra is too cold, and the wetlands are too wet. Daisylocks and Wind banter, till Wind gets rather exasperated, pointing out finally that where she was originally planted was the only place that was "just right!"--and that is where she ends up. A large, clear sans-serif type allows the text to stand out, in black or white, against hyper-realistic, close-up double-page spreads of rain forest, beach, mountain and so on, all full of plant and animal life. The bottom right-hand corner of each spread shows the growth of an actual daisy, from tiny seed to full flowering, and that's lovely. Backmatter on plants and habitats is included (and can be reproduced for educational use); other such items can be found on the publisher's website. Though it's too bad Daisylocks' botanical name (Bellis perennis) is never used, it's nevertheless an inventive introduction to habitats. (Picture book. 6-8)

COPYRIGHT(2014) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

July 1, 2014
Daisylocks the daisy seed desires a better place to grow, so the wind whisks her around the world. However, each new habitat provides challenges: the polar habitat is too cold, the tropical rainforest too crowded. It's no surprise that her original home is "just right!" Although stiff and garishly colored, the illustrations are richly representative of the habitats, and the back matter is informative.

(Copyright 2014 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)