Daffodil

a picture book; illustrations by Tomek Bogacki; FSG/Frances Foster, 2004

Daffodil has to wear a pee-yellow dress. Her sister Rose gets pink, and her sister Violet gets violet. Such lucky ducks. Life isn't fair.

What People Say about Daffodil:

"My candidate for the most memorable words of 2004 —from Daffodil, text by Emily Jenkins, picture by Tomek Bogacki— is 'I hate it very extremely hugely much,' uttered in turn by three identical sisters of divergent tastes who are not referred to as triplets. Words matter in myriad ways."

          — Barbara Bader, in The Horn Book

"Jenkins's funny tale endorses individuality while wagging a gentle finger at well-intentioned parents. The illustrations by Bogacki highlight the children's fuss for the sake of comedy, but as any parent can see, Daffodil's mother has her hands full. Daffodil's bratty outburst — 'I hate it, I hate it, I hate it!' — would be met more sternly by many moms. (Watch out for Daffodil the teenager!) But this child's rude candor does ultimately pave the way for all three sisters to blossom."

          —Sara London in The New York Times Book Review 

"A spirited tale about individuality...Bogacki's colored chalk art flounces across the spreads with text that twirls with the girls...Entertaining and blooming with child appeal."

          — Kirkus