Everyone Deserves a Closer Look

Daisy
Written & Illustrated by Jessixa Bagley
Age Level: 2-6 Years
Published March 2, 2021

Thanks, it’s vintage.

This book reminded me of a mashup of The Little Mermaid and Chrysanthemum, and does it get any better than that?!

“Daisy was named after her mama’s favorite flower. ‘They seem plain, but when you look closer you see their beauty,’ her mama would say.”

Daisy is shy and sweet, but her classmates constantly tease and exclude her on account of her favorite hobby. Daisy is an expert scavenger. She’s that friend who can go to Nordstrom Rack and find Oscar de la Renta at 70% off when all you see is weird animal print. Walking through the forest after school, she finds discarded household items that are a little worn out or a little bit broken and takes them into a secret fort where she houses her collection. Cue the music, “Look at this stuff? Isn’t it neat? Wouldn’t you think my collection’s complete?” 🧜‍♀️ One day, Daisy begins noticing treasures being left on the doorstep of her fort, and this leads to a budding friendship with a skunk named Fern, who also sees the beauty in things that at first glance most people dismiss or overlook.

I adored this story of friendship, and I loved its message about giving people and things a closer look, about pausing to find out what makes them special, unique, and beautiful.