DAISY'S BIG NIGHT

Back for a third outing, grade-schooler Daisy, a serious collector of words, discovers the joy of poetry.

Daisy is thrilled to be invited by a neighbor to a poetry party. Not yet a poet herself, she brings along her lists of favorite words. The other poets—all adults—warmly welcome her and help her to see that her word lists are already poetic. With that encouragement, she begins writing her own poems in a few different forms. Daisy is also concerned about what kind of project she can put together for an end-of-school-year showcase. As she grows more comfortable with poetry, she realizes she can create the perfect display, although her project—a “word cafe” where she shares her favorites along with some poetry—seems a trifle elaborate for her age. Although Daisy encounters very little strife and few challenges, her enthusiasm and Feder’s gentle storytelling provide a pleasant combination. Mitchell’s black-and-white illustrations, one or two to each brief chapter, feature round-eyed people with circular cheek highlights, simple yet appealingly cheerful. Pages are uncluttered, with largish font generously leaded, and she utilizes a manageable vocabulary for those recently transitioned to chapter books.

Pair this quiet charmer with Eileen Spinelli’s slightly more challenging, free verse Where I Live, illustrated by Matt Phelan (2007), for an even broader exploration of poetry