Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

Where to Read

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Libby

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Screenwise Verdict

This is picture book gold. Chris Raschka won the Caldecott for good reason—he's created a deceptively simple story that works on multiple levels and genuinely resonates with young kids.

The wordless format is genius because it meets kids where they are: toddlers can follow the emotional beats through Daisy's droopy tail and perky ears, while kindergarteners can practice 'reading' by narrating the story themselves. It's also one of those rare books that doesn't talk down to kids—the sadness Daisy feels is real and given space, not rushed past with a quick fix.

The story itself is universal: beloved toy gets destroyed (accidentally, by another dog at the park), heartbreak ensues, but eventually a new friendship and a new ball emerge. It's a perfect entry point for talking about loss in an age-appropriate way, whether that's a broken toy, a friend moving away, or even preparing for bigger losses down the road.

Parents and teachers love it because it's a conversation starter. Kids love it because they can genuinely relate to Daisy's attachment to her ball and the devastation of losing it. At 4.6 stars on Amazon and multiple starred reviews, this one has serious staying power. Highly recommend keeping it in rotation for ages 2-7.

Age Fit

Perfect for ages 2-7, especially preschool through early elementary. Toddlers will connect with the simple emotional arc and dog protagonist, while older kids can practice narrative skills and dive deeper into emotional nuance. By age 8+, most kids will have moved on to chapter books, though it remains a lovely mentor text for teaching storytelling.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

95

This wordless picture book beautifully models emotional resilience and healthy processing of loss. Daisy experiences genuine sadness when her beloved ball is destroyed, but the story shows her working through grief in an age-appropriate way. The accidental nature of the ball's destruction (no malice involved) and the eventual friendship and forgiveness at the end demonstrate kindness and emotional maturity. The pacing is gentle and contemplative, allowing young readers to sit with feelings without rushing to fix them.

Imaginative

88

Raschka's wordless format is brilliant—it forces kids to construct the narrative themselves, reading facial expressions, body language, and watercolor mood shifts. The impressionistic artwork invites interpretation rather than dictating a single reading. Being wordless, it's accessible across reading levels and encourages storytelling practice. That said, it's a fairly straightforward emotional arc rather than a wildly inventive premise, but the execution is creative and the format itself sparks imagination.

Safe

98

Completely safe for young children. The only 'conflict' is an accidental toy breakage—no violence, no scary elements, no mature themes. Common Sense Media notes it shows 'every nuance of emotion with telling detail' through simple visual cues like perky ears when happy and droopy tail when sad. The emotional content (sadness over a broken toy) is developmentally appropriate and something most young children can relate to without being traumatized. No surprise content whatsoever.

Enriching

92

This Caldecott Medal winner excels at emotional literacy—teaching kids to recognize, name, and process feelings of loss, disappointment, and eventually joy. The wordless format builds visual literacy and narrative comprehension skills. It provides a safe framework for discussing loss (whether a toy, a pet, a friend moving away) and models resilience and forgiveness. Multiple starred reviews praise its ability to capture 'situations that are deeply felt by children.' It's both emotionally enriching and skill-building, plus genuinely engaging for its target audience.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Caldecott Medal winner that nails emotional storytelling without a single word—kids read the story through Daisy's expressions and body language
Provides a perfect, gentle framework for talking about loss, disappointment, and moving forward (whether it's a broken toy or something bigger)
The wordless format means toddlers can 'read' it themselves, early readers can practice storytelling, and it works across a wide age range
Shows that sadness is okay and normal, and that new joys can emerge even after loss—genuinely comforting without being preachy
Impressionistic watercolors are beautiful and invite interpretation rather than spelling everything out

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What to Watch For

Some sensitive kids might feel Daisy's sadness deeply—the illustrations really capture her heartbreak, which is the point but could prompt tears
The story is simple and short—if your kid needs complex plots or action, this might feel too quiet (but that's also its strength)

Conversation Starters

"How do you think Daisy felt when her ball popped? How can you tell just by looking at the pictures?"
"Have you ever lost or broken something really special to you? What happened? How did you feel?"
"Why do you think the other dog brought Daisy a new ball at the end? What does that tell us about being a good friend?"
"Can you tell me the whole story using your own words? What do you think Daisy is thinking on each page?"

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A Ball for Daisy