Room Enough for Daisy

by Debby Waldman & Rita Feutl, illustrated by Cindy Revell

tagged: toys, dolls, puppets, jewish, values & virtues

Description

Daisy has more toys than she knows what to do with. In this story, inspired by an Eastern European folktale about a house that's too small, Daisy thinks she needs a bigger bedroom for all the gifts on her birthday list. Her clever mom helps her realize less is more, and Daisy decides to donate many of her things to a Mitzvah Day rummage sale. In the process, Daisy learns about sharing and the satisfaction that comes from choosing what's important.

About the Authors

Debby Waldman is the author of a number of children's books including A Sack Full of Feathers Miriam’s Secret and has written for publications including People, Publishers Weekly, Sports Illustrated and Sports Illustrated for Kids. An educator, she has taught writing and journalism at Cornell University, Ithaca College, St. Lawrence University and Grant MacEwan University. Since 2011 she has been a writing advisor at the Academic Success Centre at the University of Alberta. She lives in Edmonton.

Rita Feutl has worked as a freelance journalist and writer for 20 years, publishing in the Globe & Mail, the Toronto Star, the National Post, the Edmonton Journal, and others. She has also had work published in numerous magazines and in the Sightlines Language Arts textbook. Rescue at Fort Edmonton is her first book publication.

Born in Toronto, Rita Feutl has lived in Paris and Vienna as well as Toronto, London, Ontario, and Regina. Since 1985 she has made Edmonton her home. She has worked as a costumed interpreter at Fort Edmonton Park for the past 10 years, which is the genius for the story Rescue at Fort Edmonton.

Cindy Revell’s illustrations have been used on billboards and wine bottles, and in magazines and numerous children’s books all over North America. She has worked with clients like Disney, Penguin Putnam, the L.A. Times and Scholastic. Her illustration of Mallory and the Power Boy (Annick Press) was nominated for a Governor General’s Literary Award for children’s book illustration. She lives in Edmonton.

Age:: 3 to 5
Grade:: p to k
Reading age:: 3 to 5

Editorial Reviews

[Starred review]"This picture book skillfully tackles the topic of children who want more and more 'stuff.'...Colorful digitally painted illustrations in bright tones outlined in black depict the clutter without overwhelming, and Daisy is cute and expressive with her wide freckled face and pigtails. In a culture that decrees that having more is being more, it is refreshing to find a book that broaches the topic of over-consumption as well as the idea of giving back."

— Jewish Book World

"A delightful and inspiring picture book...The story provides plenty of topics for discussion with young children, including how to donate and recycle unwanted items, learning to appreciate what you have and [that] more is not always better...Colourful and whimsical illustrations will capture the interest and imagination of children of all ages."

— Edmonton Jewish News

"A wonderful aid for teaching the concept of 'less is more.' Waldman and Feutl imbue the story with a light tone, powerful message, and realistic characters. Revell's illustrations, done in the same colourful, folk-art style as previous collaborations with Waldman...are a treat for the eyes. Readers will enjoy returning to Daisy's busy room and discovering details missed the first time around."

— Quill & Quire

"Bright and bold and perfectly engaging. For a book in this format, there is a lot of text and a very well-spun story. There's lots going on here and many reasons for readers aged four to eight to return...The moral here is present but not overwhelming and the illustrations are colorful, bright and offer young readers lots to look at. This is a very good book for young children in every way."

— January Magazine, Best Books of 2011

"Great for discussions about greed, entitlement, and charity."

— School Library Journal

"Provide[s] plenty of topics for discussion, including how to donate and recycle unwanted items, learning to appreciate what you have and more is not always better."

— Kirkus Reviews

"A picture book which shows how living with less can benefit an individual and a community."

— Resource Links

"Teach[es] us to declutter and make room for what is really important in our lives...The pictures here are bright and lively...Recommended."

— CM Magazine

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Room Enough for Daisy

by Debby Waldman & Rita Feutl, illustrated by Cindy Revell

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