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Daisy
When Daisy the warthog's classmates tease her, she finds comfort collecting lost and forgotten things. She knows they're special - and soon she meets a friend who knows it too.
"Daisies seem so simple on the surface, but when you look closely you see their hidden beauty."
That's what Daisy the warthog's mom always says, and it's the reason she got her name. But when Daisy goes to school, she doesn't feel like her name. The other kids, Rose, Violet, and Petunia, make fun of her and call her "Thistle."
Daisy spends a lot of time with her head down, but she doesn't need her classmates to have fun. When she looks at the forest floor, she starts to find all sorts of treasures, beautiful things that were once special and have since been forgotten. The other kids might make fun of her pastime, but it turns out she's not the only one who appreciates the hidden beauty of forgotten things when she meets a like-minded new friend.
With vibrant, sun-dappled art, this is a book for any kid who has trouble fitting in and marches to the beat of their own drum, from the acclaimed author and creator of Boats for Papa, Laundry Day, and Henry and Bea.
A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection
A CCBC Choice
"Daisies seem so simple on the surface, but when you look closely you see their hidden beauty."
That's what Daisy the warthog's mom always says, and it's the reason she got her name. But when Daisy goes to school, she doesn't feel like her name. The other kids, Rose, Violet, and Petunia, make fun of her and call her "Thistle."
Daisy spends a lot of time with her head down, but she doesn't need her classmates to have fun. When she looks at the forest floor, she starts to find all sorts of treasures, beautiful things that were once special and have since been forgotten. The other kids might make fun of her pastime, but it turns out she's not the only one who appreciates the hidden beauty of forgotten things when she meets a like-minded new friend.
With vibrant, sun-dappled art, this is a book for any kid who has trouble fitting in and marches to the beat of their own drum, from the acclaimed author and creator of Boats for Papa, Laundry Day, and Henry and Bea.
A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection
A CCBC Choice
40 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 2, 2021
136 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 68 reviews
March 18, 2021
Daisy the warthog endures some cruel classroom bullies in this sweet new picture-book from talented author/illustrator Jessixa Bagley. Ridiculed for her name - the other animals tell her she looks more like a Thistle than a Daisy - and for her habit of collecting "junk," she just lowers her head and goes her own way. Despite what her classmates say, Daisy sees the beauty in the objects she finds, appreciating them despite their flaws. Fortunately for her, someone else in class appreciates her, and begins leaving anonymous contributions to her collection...
Published earlier this month (March, 2021), Daisy is the sixth picture-book I have read from Bagley, who has a talent for creating lovely little human dramas in animal skin. Her debut, Boats for Papa , addressed loss and grief, while Before I Leave explored the experience of moving away from a friend. Here we see that the issues of bullying, social inclusion/exclusion, and feeling different from others are center stage. Although I wouldn't say it was one of its creator's strongest titles (thus far), I found the story here engaging, and the artwork adorable. Recommended to picture-book readers looking for stories about feeling different and following one's own passions, as well as to fellow Jessixa Bagley fans.
Published earlier this month (March, 2021), Daisy is the sixth picture-book I have read from Bagley, who has a talent for creating lovely little human dramas in animal skin. Her debut, Boats for Papa , addressed loss and grief, while Before I Leave explored the experience of moving away from a friend. Here we see that the issues of bullying, social inclusion/exclusion, and feeling different from others are center stage. Although I wouldn't say it was one of its creator's strongest titles (thus far), I found the story here engaging, and the artwork adorable. Recommended to picture-book readers looking for stories about feeling different and following one's own passions, as well as to fellow Jessixa Bagley fans.
April 3, 2021
This one is a 3.5 for me, and it certainly encourages readers to give a second look to individuals and objects that they might have overlooked. With watercolor and pencil illustrations filled with greenery and daisies, that somewhat common flower, this picture book follows Daisy, a young warthog with low self-esteem. Although Daisy is aware that her mother named her after her favorite flower, a blossom whose beauty is noticed when someone looks closer, she finds it hard to live up to her name because of the bullying she endures at school from her classmates. Violet even decides to call her Thistle instead of Daisy. Ignored or taunted by the other girls, Daisy begins to entertain herself, and starts collecting objects that are broken or have been left behind by others. Their trash becomes Daisy's treasure, and she cherishes them and displays them in a secret hiding place. Then, one day, small treasures start to appear near that special spot, filling Daisy with excitement. Eventually, she discovers the origin of those objects and makes a new friend in Fern, a young skunk who values the overlooked objects just as much as Daisy does. The repetition of lines describing Daisy's tendency to put her head down out of shame, embarrassment or to avoid the attention of the other girls makes this story especially poignant and meaningful for those youngsters who are often overlooked by others since they don't shine as brightly or speak as loudly as others. It's also a reminder for those of us who are drawn to shiny, flashy things to look a little more closely at those who are quieter and less noticeable. God! How I hated Violet! Observant readers will notice that the front endpapers display daisies that have not unfolded to show their beauty while the back ones depict the flowers in full bloom with their white petals proudly displayed and their sunny insides smiling at the world around them. This picture book would be a good choice as a read aloud to share on the first day of school as a reminder that some things and some people are worth a second and a third look and that it's important to look closely at others. Daisy may never be friends with Rose and Violet and many of the other girls, but if she has one true friend who appreciates her, that may be enough.
May 5, 2021
Such lovely illustrations for a friendless little warthog, teased by her classmates. Daisy sees the beauty in forgotten and discarded items and keeps them in her secret fort. Imagine her surprise when she finds new treasures left by the entrance. Sweet friendship story. Be sure to take note of the end pages.
March 2, 2021
SO. CUTE. I love everything about this book.
May 1, 2021
Teased by her classmates and feeling overlooked, Daisy finds comfort in collecting lost and forgotten things, and soon she meets a like-minded friend. A sweet, compassionate story.
November 20, 2025
Daisy the Warthog is teased by her classmates about how her name doesn't match her looks. This makes Daisy keep her head down. By keeping her head down she finds lots of treasures that are overlooked by others, but this allows her to find something worth more than any treasure that you can find.
April 6, 2021
Wouldn't it be lovely to be named after a pretty flower? Dear little Daisy is named after her mother's favorite flower. She's sad when she starts school and discovers that some of the other students don't like her name, and even laugh at her. That makes her feel sad. Then she wants to go find things that make her feel happier.
When Daisy takes the time to look around her, she's surprised to find so much beauty in the world. She begins to collect some of the delightful things discarded by others who never took the time to appreciate their hidden value.
Daisy begins a fun collection of misfit items that make her happy. Then there's a mystery. Someone begins to leave her little gifts to add to her items, and to her enjoyment. Who could that be? Does someone else like to play this way? Does someone else know that beauty is in the eye of the beholder? Could this be a friend? Daisy is excited to find out.
The characters in this story are the cutest little woodland creatures who all attend school together. The raccoon, the bunny, the fox, the bear, and so on are shown in such clever illustrations. The setting is their community of forest land and flower fields. The pictures are captivating. The story is sweet and written for early readers to enjoy reading themselves, or to be read together with others.
Award winning author and illustrator Jessixa Bagley grew up in the suburbs of Portland, Oregon, dreaming of becoming a cartoonist and picture book author. Her love of picture books has been a constant goal through her life. Today, among her other accomplishments, she has a wonderful array of picture books. Learn more about the author at her website jessixa.com
When Daisy takes the time to look around her, she's surprised to find so much beauty in the world. She begins to collect some of the delightful things discarded by others who never took the time to appreciate their hidden value.
Daisy begins a fun collection of misfit items that make her happy. Then there's a mystery. Someone begins to leave her little gifts to add to her items, and to her enjoyment. Who could that be? Does someone else like to play this way? Does someone else know that beauty is in the eye of the beholder? Could this be a friend? Daisy is excited to find out.
The characters in this story are the cutest little woodland creatures who all attend school together. The raccoon, the bunny, the fox, the bear, and so on are shown in such clever illustrations. The setting is their community of forest land and flower fields. The pictures are captivating. The story is sweet and written for early readers to enjoy reading themselves, or to be read together with others.
Award winning author and illustrator Jessixa Bagley grew up in the suburbs of Portland, Oregon, dreaming of becoming a cartoonist and picture book author. Her love of picture books has been a constant goal through her life. Today, among her other accomplishments, she has a wonderful array of picture books. Learn more about the author at her website jessixa.com
February 23, 2022
This book is a must read. Daisy, a warthog that holds her head low a lot of the time for being bullied for the way she looks. A character that I think every kid can relate to at some point in their life. She found beauty in the things she saw on the ground as she held her head low. They were her secret and what she escaped to do when she got unhappy. Each day she would return to her spot and new prized possession would be there waiting or her. As the book reaches its end we see that someone has seen her looking for things outside of school and was leaving things that she thought she would enjoy. This helps daisy lift her head up and appreciate having a friend that she can share the love of her prized possessions and not feel so alone. I loved the illustrations this book had to offer from the beginning of the book full of un bloomed Daisys, as we reach the end of the book we see that they have all bloomed signifying that things get better. I loved the watercolor pages as well as the pop of her yellow purse and daisy bow throughout the book which shows she is different, but still sticks to her true self and does the things she enjoys. I also noticed after finishing the book and going back that the skunk, named Fern was a classmate of hers and was always sitting alone, uninvolved and in her own way left out just like Daisy. The common colors being green and yellow, make other things in the book pop like the prized possessions that daisy finds, and finds enjoyment in.
Want to read
April 1, 2021"Daisy, a quiet warthog, is named for her
mother’s favorite flower: “They seem
plain, but when you look closer you see
their beauty.” Daisy knows a thing or two
about finding beauty in what appears
ordinary. Saddened by being called
“Thistle,” with her head hanging down,
she finds a “magical world” of forgotten
treasures. She collects these things—old
teacups, buttons, empty jars, and the
like—in her own hidden outdoor fort.
When she finds objects in the woods
that seem placed there just for her, she
also makes a happy discovery—and a
new friend. In a sunny, vivid palette
dominated by green in nearly every
shade, Bagley creates a detailed world of
school-going forest creatures and myriad
lovingly rendered discarded items. Readers will enjoy examining each object in Daisy’s collection as they cheer her newly
flowering friendship. With her yellow
crossbody bag (for collecting) draped
over her shoulder and her shy demeanor,
Daisy is a memorable character. One for
the misfits, this story is an ode to the art
of paying attention and honoring and
appreciating not just overlooked objects
but also overlooked classmates for their
“special beauty.” julie danielson"
mother’s favorite flower: “They seem
plain, but when you look closer you see
their beauty.” Daisy knows a thing or two
about finding beauty in what appears
ordinary. Saddened by being called
“Thistle,” with her head hanging down,
she finds a “magical world” of forgotten
treasures. She collects these things—old
teacups, buttons, empty jars, and the
like—in her own hidden outdoor fort.
When she finds objects in the woods
that seem placed there just for her, she
also makes a happy discovery—and a
new friend. In a sunny, vivid palette
dominated by green in nearly every
shade, Bagley creates a detailed world of
school-going forest creatures and myriad
lovingly rendered discarded items. Readers will enjoy examining each object in Daisy’s collection as they cheer her newly
flowering friendship. With her yellow
crossbody bag (for collecting) draped
over her shoulder and her shy demeanor,
Daisy is a memorable character. One for
the misfits, this story is an ode to the art
of paying attention and honoring and
appreciating not just overlooked objects
but also overlooked classmates for their
“special beauty.” julie danielson"
October 30, 2021
“Most people think I’m silly for liking old junk.”
Daisy was named after her mother’s favorite flower. “They seem plain, but when you look closer you see their beauty.” But Daisy doesn’t always feel like her name ... especially at school. There are always girls at school who make fun of Daisy. When the girls laugh, Daisy puts her head down ... and discovers treasures under her feet, things that have been overlooked by everyone else. She finds so many treasures, she creates a whole secret fort to hide them all. One day, there’s a treasure waiting for her at the entrance to her fort. Who left it there? Day after day new treasures appear until one day she discovers someone in her fort.
One person’s junk is another person’s treasure.
Daisy was named after her mother’s favorite flower. “They seem plain, but when you look closer you see their beauty.” But Daisy doesn’t always feel like her name ... especially at school. There are always girls at school who make fun of Daisy. When the girls laugh, Daisy puts her head down ... and discovers treasures under her feet, things that have been overlooked by everyone else. She finds so many treasures, she creates a whole secret fort to hide them all. One day, there’s a treasure waiting for her at the entrance to her fort. Who left it there? Day after day new treasures appear until one day she discovers someone in her fort.
One person’s junk is another person’s treasure.
April 30, 2021
Daisy is a young warthog. Her mama named her after her favorite flower, because they seem plain, but when you look closer they are beautiful. But the kids at school don't see her beauty and they tease her, calling her Thistle. So, Daisy spends her time alone, collecting things she sees as beautiful, because she looks closely.
The artwork is so sweet - Daisy's shy expressions are adorable, and her sadness is evident. The 2 page spread of her "treasure trove" is wonderful. I liked the story, I loved that all the children's names were flowers or plants. I liked the message about giving people a closer look to see what makes them beautiful.
Cross posted to http://kissthebookjr.blogspot.com
The artwork is so sweet - Daisy's shy expressions are adorable, and her sadness is evident. The 2 page spread of her "treasure trove" is wonderful. I liked the story, I loved that all the children's names were flowers or plants. I liked the message about giving people a closer look to see what makes them beautiful.
Cross posted to http://kissthebookjr.blogspot.com
October 4, 2024
I don't really like books where there isn't a resolution between the two parties, especially since it seemed like everyone at the school was not being nice to Daisy. First of all, what teacher allows that? What parent doesn't have a conversation to help the teacher become aware of what's happening? And I don't like this idea of "most of the kids are bad because they make fun of Daisy," because most people in the world are nice people. Very few people are sociopaths who enjoy making others feel bad for no reason. So that was why I didn't like this book.
March 19, 2021
Darling, cozy illustrations make this book extra charming. I especially loved how imaginative little Daisy's woodland fort that she decorated with all her treasures--those pictures made my heart so happy! The historical "one room schoolhouse" feel was also very atmospheric (even though the other kids at school are so mean!). I loved that Daisy made an adorable friendship by the end of the story. So cute! And the lush green forest colors are very relaxing throughout <3
May 13, 2021
There’s so much I love about this book! I want to read it again and again to pick up clues and tidbits I missed. The illustrations are stunning, and I wish I could reach through the book and hug Daisy.
“Daisies seem so simple on the surface, but when you look closely you see their hidden beauty.” Now I want to look at daisies and other things up close. I love when books help me view the world another way.
“Daisies seem so simple on the surface, but when you look closely you see their hidden beauty.” Now I want to look at daisies and other things up close. I love when books help me view the world another way.
July 13, 2021
Daisy, a warthog, is teased by other children at her school which causes her to feel bad about who she is. To avoid these bullies, she spends time searching for cast-off items, which she sees beauty in. She puts all of these special treasures in a fort...but notices that treasures are being placed at the entrance. Curious about who is leaving her presents, she waits by her fort and meets Fern (a skunk) who shares a passion of forgotten treasures.
A sweet story about friendship.
A sweet story about friendship.
November 19, 2021
Possible contender for the Mock Caldecott Awards in January 2022. Because many of her schoolmates make fun of her, Daisy keeps her head down as she walks. But, because she keeps her head down so much, she discovers many treasures that she then takes to her "secret" place so that she can admire them and enjoy her finds. Then, treasures start showing up at her secret place. Has someone noticed Daisy and now wants to be her friend?
May 14, 2022
THIS BOOK MADE ME SO SAD. Daisy is sad a lot because she gets made fun of and no one really talks to her. That just broke my heart. Whenever Daisy was sad, I would get sad. Thankfully the story has a happy ending that is also really sweet. I related a lot to Daisy because I too collect many things like her and some of the things may be considered junk to some, but to me they're treasures. I also really love how Daisy got her name. Adorable.
May 8, 2024
Daisy is a homely warthog whose mother says she's special. Daisy loves finding things that are damaged or broken and sees the beauty in the things that are thrown away, like herself at school. But then one day Daisy notices that someone is leaving items outside her secret hideout where she keeps all her special items. Who's doing this?
I really enjoyed the artwork. I thought the message was a bit mixed or lost throughout the book which I wish had been tightened up. Anyway, my rating - 4/5
I really enjoyed the artwork. I thought the message was a bit mixed or lost throughout the book which I wish had been tightened up. Anyway, my rating - 4/5
February 13, 2025
Daisy the warthog has learned great survival skills to help her deal with the world of cruel classmates who ridicule her collection of treasures, delightful knickknacks. Daisy spends her most pleasant times by herself in the woods with her treasures. One day, however, a new treasure is left by a mysterious gifter outside her wood hideaway. The next day another, leading Daisy to make a new friend, someone who finally appreciates her treasures as much as she does.
October 16, 2025
We're so proud of you for reading "Daisy"! You learned something really special - that everyone and everything has hidden beauty when you look closely. Just like Daisy found treasures others missed, you can find good things in people who seem different. Remember, being kind to someone who feels left out can help you make a wonderful new friend, just like Daisy and Fern! Keep reading, sweetheart. You're amazing!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Read
March 22, 2021Grade: 3rd
Lexile Level: 520-820L
Description: “Daisies seem so simple on the surface, but when you look closely you see their hidden beauty.”
That’s what Daisy the warthog’s mom always says, and it’s the reason she got her name. But when Daisy goes to school, she doesn’t feel like her name. The other kids, Rose, Violet, and Petunia, make fun of her and call her “Thistle.”
Lexile Level: 520-820L
Description: “Daisies seem so simple on the surface, but when you look closely you see their hidden beauty.”
That’s what Daisy the warthog’s mom always says, and it’s the reason she got her name. But when Daisy goes to school, she doesn’t feel like her name. The other kids, Rose, Violet, and Petunia, make fun of her and call her “Thistle.”
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 29, 2021
While Daisy is named for a beautiful flower, the little wild boar doesn't fit in. With her head hung low so searches the forest floor for abandoned treasures. She meets a friend, who also delights in finding the unexpected. A sweet little story, that emphasized while we are al different, we all have beauty within us.
May 7, 2021
A warthog named Daisy is bullied at school. She doesn't have any friends so she is on her own. She starts to notice "treasures" that have been discarded and she takes them to her fort. Soon, "treasures" are being left for her, and discovers that one of her classmates, who also loves finding "treasures", has been leaving the gifts. The two become fast friends.
June 6, 2021
Daisy is named after her mom's favorite flower because "they seem plain, but when you look closer you see their beauty." Daisy has a hard time at school because the kids make fun of her and her name. So Daisy looks for treasures and puts them in her hidden fort. When mysterious objects arrive at the door of the fort, Daisy is intrigued to learn how these treasures are getting there.
June 8, 2021
Daisy doesn't fit well at school. The other girls tease her about her name and her collection. She finds beauty in the discarded items she finds as she studies the ground. A sad statement that she keeps her head low and looking downward. By the end, she has found a new friend who encourages her to be okay with who she is.
Gentle storyline that students will relate to.
Gentle storyline that students will relate to.
August 5, 2021
Poor little Daisy is picked on in school for looking different and collecting what everyone else considers to be "junk" until one day she begins noticing someone is leaving her small trinkets to find to add to her collection. A great story about not fitting in and finding beauty in places others overlook.
February 28, 2022
This is a very sweet story of Daisy the warthog who gets picked on by all the other animals at school and how she rises above it and makes a new friend of her own.
This is a sweet story of accepting others and kindness and some of my classes even started clapping when I got done reading the story!
This is a sweet story of accepting others and kindness and some of my classes even started clapping when I got done reading the story!
November 23, 2025
This book shows how what may look like trash to one person, someone else may find it as a treasure. It also shows how important it is to look beyond the surface of someone or something and truly see the inner beauty on the inside. The illustrations in this book are very colorful and pleasing to the eye.
February 25, 2021
This is such a sweet book. Daisy is such a sweet character. Her view of the world is so lovely. The illustrations are springlike and gentle. For the child who feels like they don't fit in or feel seen, this book will feel like a warm hug.
March 2, 2021
EARC from Edelweiss Plus
This is a great story for any who need encouragement that their hobbies and interests have value, regardless of what they are, and it reassures readers that it is okay to be different.
This is a great story for any who need encouragement that their hobbies and interests have value, regardless of what they are, and it reassures readers that it is okay to be different.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 68 reviews