Daisy's Decorating Dilemma

April 1, 2018
Event coordinator Daisy must find a theme for the Blossom Bash that will please everyone.While the current abundance of rain will benefit the flowers, it also poses a challenge: The accelerated, early bloom gives them less time than usual to prepare. Each fairy suggests their own flower or color to decorate Sugar Oak, putting Daisy in the unenviable role of being the deciding vote. (Gardeners will note the flowers listed are not all early spring blooms.) In the meantime, Daisy checks on other fairies' preparations, troubleshooting their problems (from food and music decisions to recommending honey for seasonal allergies). Indigo's garlands of materials from all over the forest inspire Daisy to go for an eclectic theme, allowing each fairy to decorate part of Sugar Oak however they wish. The full effect of the assortment, as well as the acceptance of an earlier than optimal bloom, is summed up by Daisy and stands as the story's theme: "We all know we can't control nature. We can only appreciate all that it gives us. And that's what this celebration is really about!" In Kurilla's frequent, full-color illustrations, Daisy is depicted with brown skin and blonde curls, and other fairies have skin and hair of all the colors of the rainbow; one fairy in the primary cast is male. Information about honey follows the story, as do a recipe, a dramatis personae, and some games.Flower-calendar quibble aside, an optimistic, upbeat story. (Fantasy. 6-8)

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April 15, 2018
Grades 1-3 Spring is in the air in Sugar Oak, and this year, Daisy is in charge of the Blossom Bash. She and her fellow wild fairies want it to be the best ever, so Daisy takes decorating suggestions from each fairy. The dilemma comes when she doesn't want to choose only one idea and hurt the other fairies' feelings. She procrastinates in making her decision, and instead, goes from fairy to fairy, offering her help with each of their specific tasks. Finally, she arrives at a solution that will please everyone, and all the woodland critters who attend the festival agree it is a huge success. Here Daisy is the featured fairy, but the other books in the Wild Fairies series star a different flower fairy. Dougherty's easy-to-read chapter book, filled with Kurilla's brightly colored, whimsical illustrations, will find a ready audience, especially for those who have exhausted Daisy Meadows' well-worn Flower Fairies series. The finished book will include a recipe and even an ad for a fairy house. Daisy's adventure copublishes with Lily's Water Woes.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2018, American Library Association.)