School Library Journal Review
K-Gr 2-This early reader series features dog siblings Digger and Daisy. In Picnic, Daisy stops to look at things, while Digger likes to smell them. Daisy tells him the name of different objects that catch his attention: flowers, a lemon tree, pie on the neighbor's windowsill, and hot dogs on a grill. When Digger explores a golf hole, his nose is filled with dirt, and he cannot smell any of their picnic food, but his nose recovers as they approach home and encounter a skunk. In Zoo, Digger tries to copy the animals. He falls over when he tries to stand on one leg like the flamingo, attempts to climb a tree like the monkeys, wants to eat leaves from a tree like the giraffes, and learns to swim in a pond like the ducks. The books feature large a font, with lines that are short and easy to scan, and the bold, cartoon illustrations cheerfully reinforce the text with ample picture clues. Young readers will enjoy sharing these excursions.-Laura Scott, Farmington Community Library, MI (c) Copyright 2014. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Horn Book Review
Dogs Digger and his sister, Daisy, star in these two tension-free entries for beginning readers. Digger enjoys smelling things in the park, but his nose eventually gets him into trouble (Picnic). Digger tries to imitate the zoo animals, but it's not until he and Daisy visit the duck pond that he's successful (Zoo). The cheery illustrations are mildly diverting. [Review covers these I Am a Reader! titles: Digger and Daisy Go on a Picnic and Digger and Daisy Go to the Zoo.] (c) Copyright 2014. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Kirkus Review
In this early reader, a dog learns from his sister what he can and cannot do like other animals on a visit to the zoo. It is a hot day, so Digger, a spirited pup, and his older sister, Daisy, decide to go to the zoo. "Digger and Daisy look at birds. They see big birds. They see little birds. / Red birds. Green birds. Yellow and blue birds, too." There is a nice rhythm to that, and it's accompanied by cartoony artwork that readers will relate to, since, despite its subtle sophistication and adept lines, they might fancy they could do the same. Digger tries to imitate a flamingo standing on one leg, and he tumbles over. His sister tells him that he can't do that but that he can walk on two legs. On through the zoo. "I want to climb a tree," says Digger, inspired by monkeys. No chance. But his sister reminds him that he can climb stairs, till they are eye to eye with the giraffe. When they spy the duck pond, Digger asks if he might go in. His sister concurs, but Digger balks, since he had failed so many times that day. But his sister encourages him, until he takes the plunge. It's a lovely little tribute to sibling camaraderie. Like Daisy encouraging Digger to dive, this work is a welcoming invitation to read and a sweet encouragement to spend time with siblings. (Early reader. 4-6)]] Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
