DAFFODIL

The creative team of Five Creatures (2001) has produced a spirited tale about individuality. People can’t tell Daffodil and her sisters apart, even though Daffodil has a big mouth, Violet has squinty eyes, and Rose has a dimple in her chin. For parties, to tell the difference, their mother dresses them in different colors that match their names. Violet and Rose are “LUCKY DUCKS” because their dresses are pretty, but Daffodil hates her yellow dress because it reminds her of pee! Daffodil refuses to wear her dress the next time, because she hates it “very extremely Hugely MUCH,” only to discover that her sisters hate theirs, too. When they outgrow the dresses, Mommy lets them choose new party clothes: Violet picks black with a pleated skirt, Rose picks plaid with a velvet sash, and Daffodil chooses cherry red pants with a matching jacket. Bogacki’s colored chalk art flounces across the spreads with text that twirls with the girls and large type that emphasizes Daffodil’s reactions. Entertaining and blooming with child appeal. (Picture book. 4-7)