Daisy May Goes Out to Play
Britton Taylor
Page Publishing (2023)
ISBN: 979-8886547276
Reviewed by Diana Coyle for Reader Views (07/2024)
The weather is warm and beautiful and Daisy May decides she would like to go visit her frog friend, Herm, who lives just down the trail from her home in “Daisy May Goes Out to Play” by Britton Taylor. Along the way, she meets a crow named Jay and they become friends. They both head to Herm’s lily pad. After playing in the pond a bit, Daisy May suggests they head into town.
On the way there, they meet another dog with a brown coat of fur named Lance. The four continue having fun together. They all travel together and now they meet a red squirrel named Tilly. He joins in on the fun as well. Daisy May tells all her new friends that when they get into town, she has a cat friend named Snowball she wants everyone to meet. All six of them head to the park for some fun and games. Unfortunately, their fun is interrupted by a bully they find in the park. What happens when this bully confronts the group of animal friends?
I absolutely adored reading this story about Daisy May and all her animal friends. I felt the central theme she was trying to teach readers was that no matter what kind of animal you are and no matter your size, you can all learn to be friends with each other. You don’t have to follow a set norm to be happy. You can have fun having friends of all shapes, sizes, and breeds. Children will take away that no matter your color, race, or ethnicity, everyone is a unique individual and worthy of friendship and love. Not to mention children will easily fall in love with all the different characters the author introduces into the story.
There was no mention of an illustrator with this story, so I’m not certain if Mr. Taylor illustrated it himself or had someone else do it, but I want to mention the illustrations were colorful and inviting. Any reader will enjoy looking at the illustrations of Daisy May and her friends while they enjoy their day out together. I feel these pictures were the perfect accompaniment to telling Daisy May’s story.
What I find fascinating is that Britton Taylor is a short-story writer with the dream of one day being a novelist. He loves his Labrador Retriever, Daisy May, so much he wants to share her with the world. In doing so, he wants everyone to see just how beautiful and loving she is. After contemplating the best way to achieve this goal, he decided to write a children’s book conveying his deep love and affection for his companion.
Two other things I would love to mention were that the author wrote Daisy May’s story in rhyme, so children will enjoy the sing-song words as they turn the pages. To add a cherry on the top, included in the back of the book are quite a few pictures of Daisy May herself. Clearly through the little photo album, you can see just what a kind and loving soul she truly is.
Overall, I enjoyed reading “Daisy May Goes Out To Play” by Britton Taylor and I feel readers, young and old, will equally enjoy it as well. I feel this is the perfect book to add to your children’s library. It comes highly recommended!