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Summary
Summary
Sam and Katie find a stray dog and make a big mistake, but it's hard to make amends--how can you apologize to a dog?
A dirty, skinny, dog shows up in Sam and Katie's neighborhood. They start to follow it, and they don't like what they see- The Wilson sisters yell at it because it goes in their garden and the Tracy twins chase it on their bikes and throw things at it.
Sam and Katie want the dog to know they'll be its friends. They think it should have a name. Most of all, they want it to like them. But then they do something thoughtless, and after that, it's hard to make things right, especially because the dog now won't come near them.
How they earn the dog's trust, help it find its place in their town and how it gets its name, makes for a heartwarming story told in two voices using prose and poetry. Blue Daisy is illustrated with 20 black-and-white illustrations and includes recipes for dog biscuits and snickerdoodles.
A Bank Street Best Childrens Book of the Year!
Author Notes
Helen Frost is an award-winning children's book author, playwright, and poet. She has written many award-winning books for children and young adults and her young-adult novel Keesha's House was a Michael L. Printz Honor Book. Her most recent book for younger children is Applesauce Weather . Ms. Frost lives in Fort Wayne, Indiana. www.helenfrost.net
Rob Shepperson has illustrated over two dozen books for children, most recently the Franklin School Friends series by Claudia Mills. His editorial illustrations have appeared regularly in The New York Times, The Washington Post, and The Wall Street Journal. Mr. Shepperson lives in Croton-on-Hudson, NY. www.robshepperson.com
Reviews (2)
School Library Journal Review
Gr 2--4--This novel in verse alternates between the perspectives of two neighbor friends, Sam and Katie. One day, a skinny, unwashed dog walks through both of their yards. Sam and Katie witness the dog being mistreated by a number of their neighbors and are curious when the animal later returns to Sam's house. Sam's dad was outside painting an old table blue--when he goes inside, Sam and Katie get the odd idea to paint the dog; they end up drawing a blue daisy on her, even though they know it's wrong. Then, Blue Daisy ends up getting lost in the neighborhood. When Katie and Sam finally find her, they are disappointed to see that she is with neighborhood kids that they don't like, Michael and Miranda. But when Blue Daisy disappears again and ends up in trouble, the four kids rescue her together and forge a tentative friendship in the process. Even though the story is well written, the novel's format doesn't quite work. The text's tone feels disjointed, and the peripheral characters' mistreatment of Daisy goes somewhat unresolved. VERDICT Suitable for libraries where there is an interest in morality tales and dog stories.--Jill Baetiong, Bloomingdale Public Library, IL
Publisher's Weekly Review
Intrigued by the unfamiliar filthy dog trotting through their yards one summer day, young neighbors Sam and Katie set out to learn more about the stray and, they hope, persuade their parents to let them keep it. After seeing their neighbors treat the dog badly--the grumpy, gardening Wilson sisters shoo it away from their flower beds, and mean kids Michael and Madison Tracey throw rocks at it--the friends are eager to help. But they feel guilty after making their own inconsiderate choice, painting a blue daisy on the pup's back, and worry about their chances of winning the dog's affection. Alternating chapters in differing styles, poetry for Sam and prose for Katie, help to convey how each character communicates; Sam seems restrained alongside Katie's constant clip. Apologies offer weight in this slim volume by Frost (Applesauce Weather), and result in a more generous view of neighbors and a realization that even kind people can make mistakes. Black-and-white illustrations by Shepperson (Can I Just Take a Nap?) portray the neighborhood and its mostly white inhabitants; two accompanying recipes, inspired by a baking neighbor, conclude. Ages 7--10. Agent: Ginger Knowlton, Curtis Brown. (Mar.)