Daisy Dawson on the Farm

Daisy Dawson on the Farm
Steve Voake, author
Jessica Meseve, illustrator
Candlewick
2012



I've reviewed Daisy Dawson before and enjoyed her little character. So I jumped at the chance to review the 5th in the series via netgalley's ARC program. What I like about this quirky little girl is that she is just that: a little girl. There are no princess aspirations here, no backtalking to grown-ups (ahem, Junie B. Jones), no snarky attitude--just a little girl who happens to be able to understand talking animals....


Daisy Dawson books aren't "great literature," per se, but they are a terrific option for the newly independent readers in your life. They make nice read alouds for the younger crowd, as well. In this installment of Daisy's adventures, she and the farm animals are mourning the lack of rain. Through a series of funny adventures, team work, and an amusing occurrence at the expense of the local cat population, Daisy and the animals try to make it rain.

Truth/Story
This book doesn't have "big-T Truth" in it, but it is a wonderful exercise in team work and valuing each other's opinions. The story is typical of many early chapter books in that it's a pleasant romp through a mildly difficult situation with a satisfactory conclusion. It's worth pointing out for some of our more conservative readers that rain dances are mentioned (although they don't have any effect, of course), as well as the "rhythm of life" being in each animal/person. This isn't quite a pantheistic as it might seem; eventually this is simply that they all enjoy dancing around and singing. If you are concerned, you might simply remind your child how we do get rain, and Who is in control.  


There are other Daisy Dawson books at your local library; Daisy Dawson on the Farm comes out next month. You might check out Daisy Dawson at the Beach this summer, too (something I plan to do as well--haven't read that one yet).

Recommended for K-3rd grade; read aloud to younger, experienced listeners.

Cover image from goodreads; book through netgalley