Everyone’s enchanted with Marigold’s new baby sister. Could it be . . . she has some sort of superpower? Kids will love this sibling story with a fun twist. Even snails can feel jealous over a new baby! Although Marigold is excited to meet her new snail sister, Daisy, she quickly realizes that Daisy must be an evil genius, capable of mesmerizing everyone. After all, their parents think everything Daisy does is cute—even pooping! Just when Marigold reaches her breaking point, she discovers that Daisy’s amazing skills may come in handy after all.
Marigold the snail finds it difficult to adjust to life with her new baby sister Daisy in this third picture-book from author/artist Andrea Zuill. It both confuses and irritates her that all the adults seem to think that everything Daisy does - even pooping! - is cute. Finally, when Daisy eats her favorite toy, our snail heroine has had enough, sliding away on her own. Or so she thinks. But when confronted by an angry bumblebee, Marigold discovers that Daisy, who sticks up for her, does have her good points after all...
Although I greatly enjoyed Zuill's previous forays - Wolf Camp and Dance Is for Everyone - into the world of picture-books, somehow I found that Marigold & Daisy just wasn't as appealing as I'd expected it to be. The text sometimes felt a little cluttered, especially in the case of the parental speech bubbles, with the endless "blah blahs," and the conclusion of the tale felt somewhat contrived. Somehow the bee didn't seem like enough of a threat to make Daisy's intervention really dramatic. The artwork was cute, but again, it didn't really stand out for me. Tastes vary, of course, and I would imagine that some readers will find this quite a winsome take on the classic theme of rivalry with a new sibling. For my part, I think there are better titles available - Wolfie the Bunny, Julius, the Baby of the World - and it is to them that I would recommend my fellow readers turn their attention, if searching for such stories.
Blah, blah, blah, that's all Marigold hears when she "complains" about her new sister Daisy, who seems to be the "talk of the neighborhood". But wait until a bee gives Marigold a hard time!
This review was originally written for The Baby Bookworm. Visit us for new picture books reviews daily!
Hello, friends! Our book today is the delightful Marigold & Daisy by Andrea Zuill, a story of the highs and lows of sisterhood.
Life was pretty great for Marigold – that is, until her ultra-adorable, uber-annoying little sister Daisy was born. Daisy is such a pain! Everybody fusses over how cute she is, and she follows Marigold everywhere, and she gets away with everything! Marigold feels overlooked, under-appreciated, and most of all, irritated. In fact, she’s pretty sure that Daisy has a nefarious evil plan to take over the world using her super-powered cuteness. But when Marigold is bullied by another bug, she might be surprised at who comes to her rescue – and at what she has to say!
Very sweet. The transition from only child to big sister or brother can be a difficult one for littles, so we’re always on the lookout for books that deal with the range of emotions they can go through during this time. This one hits a lot of relatable emotions (Marigold’s sense of being pushed aside when the new baby comes, for instance) while also conveying the all-important moral of the story: sisterhood isn’t always perfect, but there’s no friendship or relationship like it. The text is easily read aloud, and has a bunch of great comedic beats that make it fun. The illustrations are wonderfully expressive, using a mix of pen-and-ink and watercolor to bring the world of snails and insects to life. The length is perfect, and JJ loved it. A great story for helping little ones laugh through a time of transition, and we recommend it highly. Baby Bookworm approved!
(Note: A copy of this book was provided to The Baby Bookworm by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.)
Love the art and the words are hilarious! The voice really sympathizes with the older sibling getting the new sibling and the righteous jealousy that ensues. It's definitely realistic.
I'd give this a 3.5 if I could. It is, to use the overused word here on GoodReads, "cute." The art is fun.But since I can't, I will water down the overall rating by sticking with the 3.
Because have any of you rave reviewers ever read Julius, the Baby of the World? This is basically the same story, done with snails. The lead character even has a flower name. But unlike Lily, she doesn't have cool boots (no feet), she doesn't write a lovely, hostile essay about the new sibling, and she doesn't have to sit in Kevin Henkes's genius "uncooperative chair." This is again, "cute," but it will not match that masterwork.
Everyone loves Daisy, Marigold's little sister, to the point where even her pooping is cute! People say how great Daisy's shell is, but Marigold's shell is charming too! Marigold gets frustrated because Daisy invades her space and eats her toys. Attempts to talk to her parents about Daisy are fruitless. But, when Marigold munches a plant and is told "Hey, Slimy! This flower is mine! Quit munching on it!" by a bee, Daisy comes to Marigold's defense! In the end, Daisy and Marigold are on good terms but then the parents introduce them to their new twin brothers! This book certainly has that no-one-can-insult-or-annoy-my-sibling-but-me mentality, which I guess is fine but I don't love it.
Since I was the youngest child in my family, I never had to deal with the stress of a new, baby brother or sister. But for those that are facing that family situation, this fun picture book might help look at the problem with a little bit of humor. Everything was going along fine for Marigold until Daisy was born. Suddenly everyone was way more interested in Marigold’s adorable baby sister. Young readers will enjoy seeing all the ways Daisy gets under Marigold’s skin, and what Marigold does about it. Humorous illustrations support the story nicely.
This one was fine, but we got it out of a library grab bag. It's one of those stories about like, my little sister is annoying, and everyone prefers her, but then the little sister stands up for the big sister and they like eachother again. It's got a particular kind of humour which isn't mine, but reminds me of other books which I put on the "not for me" shelf, so if you're a fan of this one, check out that shelf! My almost 4 year old liked that it was about snails but otherwise didn't seem too connected to it
This picture book for very young children is written and illustrated by one of the most talented illustrators publishing today -- Andrea Zuill. Her animal characters team with emotion. In this story, Andrea casts herself as a clunky snail who comes to resent her cute, younger sister so much that she plans to run -- or inch -- away from home. Suitable for the youngest readers, there is, of course, a happy ending.
I loved this story, and I probably would have loved it even more if I wasn't "Daisy". :-) I so want my older siblings to read this, because it is all about that older sibling relationship, especially when the adorable new baby comes along, grabbing attention, and getting away with so much...or at least that's the perception. This book had me smiling!
Marigold s perfectly happy as an only child (only snail?) when along comes Daisy, everyone thinks her sibling is darling but Maroigold is suspicious because no one can be that cute. Then Daisy proves her worth however the now united sisters get a surprise at the book's end.
Delicate drawings but the story makes you smile. It rings true for anyone ever seized by sibling rivalry.
Marigold adjusts to the arrival of her baby sister Daisy with the natural feelings of jealousy, resentment, being shunted aside, and eventually affection and love.
Having snails as characters added a nice twist to the traditional new sibling story. I also liked that the parents' speech bubbles were filled with "blah, blah, blah" to reflect what Marigold was hearing.
A snail big sister is having trouble with Daisy the new baby of the family. Sibling rivalry will be familiar to kids in the same situation and the author's solution is just the right amount of bonding.
If you loved Wolf Camp and its humor, try reading this new book by the author/illustrator about two sister snails. A story of sibling rivalry and the ending is a surprise. It's hard to make two snails as expressive as the dogs in Wolf Camp but this one is a fun read anyway.
Story about getting a new baby sister told from the point of view of a snail family. At first the big sister doesn't like her new baby sister but by the end of the book they like each other.
I babysit my niece and go to the library every week and check out books to read to her. She loved this one and the story is super cute! My niece got so excited while I read it to her.
Marigold can't understand why all of the adults are fascinated by her new little sister. Determined to get away, she leaves only to meet with a bullying bee and then be rescued by little but loud Daisy. Will they become friends? Most definitely. Reviewer 9.