Go Be Wonderful!

January 1, 2021
Preschool-Grade 1 When Daisy is born, her parents encourage her to "Go be wonderful!" As she progresses through the typical phases of early childhood (walking, talking, using the potty), she is told to "Go be wonderful!" Throughout the years, the child is lovingly motivated by that same refrain, and all goes well until it's time for her to go to school. For the first time in her short life, Daisy is not sure she can be wonderful: "Daisy worried about all the things that might happen at school." But, of course, all ultimately ends well as she plays with other children, listens to her teacher read a story, and draws a picture of her dog. Brightly colored illustrations, created using colored pencils and watercolors with digital assistance, depict a blended family: Daisy's mother has dark skin and curly black hair, while Daisy is redheaded and fair-skinned like her father. The class contains round-headed children with a variety of skin tones and hair textures and colors. An engaging capture of a time that many children find unsettling.

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February 1, 2021

PreS-Gr 2-Join Daisy, the red-headed child of a Black mother and white father, as she learns how to be wonderful with everyone who loves her. When Daisy is born, she is constantly encouraged to "go be wonderful!" And she does this through every milestone that she reaches, including learning to laugh, feeding the dog, and all the other little actions that make up a day. When she starts school, Daisy is very worried, but she does her best and continues to thrive. Gephart has created a story that encourages the tiniest children, while also serving as a good guide for older siblings who don't know what to expect from their newest family member. The text is very clear, with a vocabulary that will be familiar to most kindergarteners. Chessa's colorful drawings have immediacy and show exactly what the text refers to, while also bringing to life Daisy's ever-growing environment. VERDICT Like Cynthia Rylant's Birthday Presents, this offers a great demonstration of positivity in the face of new challenges, wherever children find them.-Margaret Kennelly, Indian Head Elem. Sch., MD

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Starred review from April 19, 2021
From the day that Daisy was born, the loving adults in her life, including her Black mother and white father, have continually offered the same sage directive: “Go be wonderful.” And in their eyes, “she was,” whether dancing, learning to use the potty, or even throwing a tantrum. Chessa’s moving multimedia scenes celebrate common maturation milestones in sunny, vibrant colors, showing Daisy thriving in her intimate friends-and-family community, raking leaves and interacting with the family dog. But when it comes time to start school, Daisy is filled with “what if” anxiety and not so sure she’ll be wonderful in a new, mysterious place. Reassuringly, the creators outline “what did happen,” showing that even on a first day with some bumpy moments, everything turns out just fine, and Daisy remains as wonderful as ever. A warmly resonant recount of Daisy’s early years sets the stage for this universal confidence booster with a gentle, joyful tone. Ages 3–6.