Raschka employs a series of horizontal frames to show sequential action, interspersed with occasional single paintings to show pivotal moments, such as the moment near the end of the book when Daisy gets a brand-new ball, this time a blue one, from the owner of the dog who destroyed her first one. Background watercolor washes also reflect Daisy's mood, going from bright yellows and greens to somber purples and browns. Throughout, Raschka uses broad strokes of gray and black paint to outline the dog, and varies the line to echo her emotions: bold, sure lines when Daisy is happy shaky, squiggly lines when she is upset. In fact, the two contrasting double-page spreads of Daisy napping, with the ball and without it, show the ingenious artistry of Raschka, who communicates so much emotion through her posture. It's a long walk home with gloomy Daisy, and the subsequent nap on the couch is lonely. All goes well until another dog shows up, joins in the play, and pops the ball. The real drama begins with a trip to the park, where Daisy and her little-girl owner play catch and have a moment of panic when the ball goes over a fence and has to be rescued. After playing with it inside, she cuddles up with the ball on the sofa and contentedly falls asleep. It's clear from the start that Daisy loves her new toy. The wordless story begins on the title page, where we see a scruffy little black-and-white dog about to be given a big red ball.

A ball for daisy book