Reviews

Daisylocks


Kirkus Reviews - February 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.

Library Media Connection

Daisylocks was not happy where she was going to be planted, so she asks the wind to take her someplace else. Wind takes her from one habitat to the next, but she is never happy. Wind finally brings her home, so she can be happy in the one location that was just right. With each stop, readers see full-page illustrations of the habitat. This is a simple story and while the illustrations are beautiful and the book could be used to introduce different habitats, Daisylocks’ attitude is not particularly likeable. For Creative Minds, Match the Habitats, Plant Parts, and Match the Plant are included. Eileen Wright, Reference Librarian, Montana State University Billings Library, Billings, Montana [Editor’s Note: Available in e-book format and paperback.] ADDITIONAL SELECTION

Horn Book Guide

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!"

City Book Review - May 2014

Daisylocks is an adventurous plant and Wind is a helpful character. Daisylocks is looking for a home that will be right for her. “Maybe there was a better place where Daisylocks could live and thrive, so she asked the Wind to help her.” She tries the desert but that is hot and dry. The Wind takes her to a place with snow but that is too cold. The wetland area is too soft. My favorite part was when Daisylocks says, “I’ve been to places that are too hot, too cold, too hard, too soft, too crowded, and too sandy.” Where does Daisylocks get planted? If you read this book you will find out the answer. The illustrations are paintings that look like real animals and real plants. I was surprised in this book when Wind whooshed Daisylocks. There are only two characters but that is enough for this story. This book is special because there are facts in the back of the book about basic needs of plants, habitats, and plant parts. This story makes me think of the Goldilocks fairy tale.- Susan Faith, Age 5

Children's Literary Classics - July 2014

Daisylocks, written by renowned children's book author, Marianne Berkes, is the story of a daisy seed that is carried along by the wind in her quest to find the perfect place to grow.  As Daisylocks floats from place to place around the world she encounters various climates, soil conditions and other factors that will affect her ability to take root and grow.  Illustrations by Cathy Morrison are simply magical in this book that is an excellent resource for teachers in classroom settings, and would be a terrific selection for home and school libraries.

Home School Book Review Blog - March 2014

Author Marianne Berkes and illustrator Cathy Morrison combine to pack a lot of fascinating and eye-catching material about nature for youngsters in Daisylocks. Not only are there descriptions of the different kinds of Earth habitats with colorful pictures of the kinds of plants and animals which inhabit each of them, but there is also a discussion of the difference between perennials and annuals.

My MCBooks Blog - March 2014

Daisylocks is a story about a seed that doesn’t want to be planted in a garden. She felt that there must be a better place where she can live and thrive. So she asked the wind to help find her a better place by blowing the seeds from place to place until she was happy. Plants need a better place to grow. They need to absorb nutrients and water from a healthy soil and be free of weeds and rocks...The illustrations are colorful and bold. I highly recommend this book for classroom teaching.

Feathered Quill Book Review - March 2014

This is an excellent tale to introduce the young reader to Earth’s habitats. Of course Daisylocks is only one type of seed, but as the young reader works his or her way through the book they will see flora in other habitats. The illustrations are filled with flora and fauna which inhabit mountain, desert, wetlands, beach, and rainforest habitats. It’s almost more of a visual experience with which to begin to explore Earth’s ecosystem. The book is very vibrant and alive, a fun one to find and identify an assortment of plants and animals. In the back of the book is a brief overview of “Plant Parts” and several activities, including some that can be downloaded and printed from the publisher’s website. This would be an excellent book to read and discuss in the homeschool or classroom setting.z

Heck of a Bunch - March 2014

It's much like the tale of Goldilocks. The seed needs a place that is just right. In the end, Daisylocks finds the place that's best suited for her. In the "For Creative Minds" section in the back of the book, children can learn more about basic needs of plants, plant parts, and habitats.

So Cal City Kids - March 2014

My son and I received this book and enjoyed the charming story and beautiful illustrations. As usual, I loved the section titles “For Creative Minds” because it it educational and this one teaches science especially for grades K-3.

Batch of Books - April 2014

My kids like this particular book because it's about a daisy seed that is looking for a good place to set down roots and call home.  With spring deciding to show up, it's the perfect book to spark the kiddos' imaginations and get them thinking about nature. 

It's more than just a book about spring, however.  Daisylocks travels on the wind to different geographical areas and tries them all out.  She goes to the desert, the jungle, the beach, and so forth.  The illustrations give kids a visual to go along with Daisylock's travels.  They show the wildlife and vegetation in each location.  Kids get a wonderful sense of place and atmosphere as the little seed tries out the ground in each area.

The story is simple and designed to inform kids about geography and springtime.  It's another good book for the classroom or homeschoolers.  There is a section in the back that offers additional information on plants, their habitats, and what they need to grow.

Plant Talk: Inside the New York Botanical Garden - March 2018

Daisylocks is a botanical take on the classic tale of Goldilocks, applying the trope of a place being “just right” to give a plant the best growing conditions. As Daisylocks explores dry, cold, and wet regions, the detailed illustrations by Cathy Morison offer readers a glimpse into the unique ecosystems for each of the areas. Use each page as a chance to engage your reader to observe and describe various fauna, flora, and landscapes.