Daisy and Josephine

November 11, 2013
Daisy lives a glamorous life with her handsome father, a famous entertainer: “New York! Miami! Las Vegas! There were lots of shows and new people to meet.” But despite an attentive Daddy and a kind tutor/nanny, Josephine is lonely. A new, odd-looking, and disinterested puppy named Josephine only makes Daisy feel worse until Josephine reveals she’s actually a talking French bulldog with a passion for fashion. Kuo’s (Everyone Eats!) crisp pencil line and soft blue-pink palette create intriguing visual tension and may remind some adults of classic fashion illustration; Daddy’s Rat Pack good looks add a dash of Kennedy era chic. This is the first children’s book from Gilbert, best known for her TV role as Laura Ingalls on Little House on the Prairie; unfortunately, this fashion-focused fantasy feels somewhat slack. Readers may be hard-pressed to connect with a character as passive as Daisy, and the far-from-charismatic Josephine is more of a magical quick fix than a real remedy to the girl’s melancholy. Ages 4–8. Author’s agent: Dan Strone, Trident Media Group. Illustrator’s agent: Emily Van Beek, Folio Literary Management.

November 1, 2013
Daisy's new puppy may refuse to play fetch, chase or catch, but she's a fashionista who soon wins Daisy's heart. Daisy's father's a famous entertainer and her "all-together favorite person." Even though Daisy travels everywhere with her father, she's lonely and longs for a friend. One day, her father surprises Daisy with a funny-looking puppy named Josephine, with "no tail, giant ears, and a smooshy nose" and protruding bottom teeth. When the little girl tries to play with Josephine, the puppy refuses, prompting a frustrated Daisy to ask, "What do you want do?" To Daisy's surprise, French-speaking Josephine explains that she is a French bulldog: "And I just love clothes! Oh, please, won't you help me find something stylish to put on?" Soon, Daisy and Josephine bond as together they create "tres chic" outfits. Unremarkable digitally colored pencil illustrations rely on line and pale color washes to highlight Daisy's loving relationship with her father, her transformation from shy to confident girl, and Josephine's ultrafeminine, humorous, fashionably attired persona. Daisy's marked overbite provides a droll contrast with Josephine's prominent lower fangs. A canine penchant for French couture adds unexpected verve to this otherwise fairly ordinary tale of a lonely girl. (Picture book. 4-8)

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December 1, 2013

PreS-Gr 2-Young Daisy travels the world with her father, a famous performer, and her teacher, Mrs. Minniear. Although she is loved, Daisy feels friendless and shy, and, to relieve her loneliness, her dad gives her a French bulldog puppy. Appearing ordinary at first glance, Josephine does not act like an average dog. She won't fetch, chase squirrels, or catch a ball, but she can speak and loves clothes. The pup prefers tutus and tiaras, styling herself and Daisy into "pajama princesses" at bedtime. Daddy tucks them in and sings them a song, and Daisy sings Josephine to sleep. Kuo's graceful pencil illustrations are digitally colored and saturated with lush greens and more subdued peach tones. Josephine's adorable homeliness endears, as do Daisy's freckles, but she and her father are not quite as expressively drawn as the pup. This sweet, cozy tale will appeal to readers who wish that their animal companions would speak or to fans of "Fancy Nancy" for its chic dress-up element.-Yelena Alekseyeva-Popova, formerly at Chappaqua Library, NY

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