Book Review - Daisylocks

Daisylocks

By: Marianne Berkes
Illustrated by: Cathy Morrison
Publisher: Arbordale Publishing
Publication Date: February 2014
ISBN: 978-1628552157
Reviewed by: Deb Fowler
Review Date: March 2014

A young hand was getting ready to plant a packet of daisy seeds after the trowel had turned over a bit of soil. A few seeds in each hole should do, but a few of them took to the air, including Daisylocks. Not quite satisfied where she was to be planted, she wanted to go elsewhere. There had to be a “better place where Daisylocks could live and thrive,” so she asked Wind to take her to other habitats. Perhaps there would be just the perfect place for her to grow and become a beautiful daisy. Wind would lift Daisylocks into the air and their journey would begin. Would it be in the desert, the mountains, the wetlands, the rainforest, or the beach?

Wind picked Daisylocks up and they began to explore. The first stop found them among the desert tortoises who were walking on dry, parched soil. The cacti flourished, but it was no place for a daisy. Wind picked Daisylocks up once again and “whooshed her all the way to a treeless plain that was partially covered with ice and snow.” The cold was too much for Daisylocks and no way would her roots be able to sink into the “frozen ground.” Unsatisfied, they continued on their journey. Wind would take her to the ends of the Earth, but where was that perfect, special place for her to grow?

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.

Quill says: If you are doing a unit on habitats, this is a perfect book for your young readers to read and explore!