Daisy McCray and the Wave of the Day, Nicole Miller
Written by Nicole Miller
Illustrated by Lily Uivel
Published by Little Love; 25 November 2023; RRP: $15.00
When Daisy McCray wandered down to the bay,
she carried her surfboard, expecting a wave.
But the wind was onshore and the ocean was flat,
so Daisy decided to wait on her mat . . .
Daisy’s eyes are glued to her screen when the tide steals her surfboard. Join the exciting adventure of Daisy McCray’s vibrant surfboard as it scoops up everyday beachgoers and pulls into an epic set of waves!
But, will Daisy McCray look up from her phone before it’s too late?
“Nicole brings awareness to how devices and technology can take us away from the enjoyments of the real world around us. We see the contrast between Daisy, who spends the whole day on her phone, versus other beach goers who experience adventure. Readers are encouraged to make more time away from their screens.”
“Daisy McCray is a character who is all about her phone and for parents out there who want to encourage their kids to look up from their screens, Daisy is the perfect anti-hero. In her endeavour to capture the perfect selfie, she fails to enjoy the wide open blue sky that stretches in front of her and the adventures that have unfolded while she was scrolling. ”
We use digital media every day, from texting, mapping and streaming TV shows to uploading photos and ordering food online. The tamariki of today are being modelled a lot more than just "screen time", they are exposed to adult role models who are ever-connected. But the benefits of this direction that technology is taking comes with the risk of missing out on real life experiences, lacking balance and affecting the mental health of our youth.
Nicole Miller’s second book Daisy McCray and the Wave of the Day focuses on the exciting adventure of Daisy McCray’s surfboard as it is swept away from the distracted owner. Much like her first children’s picture book, Celia Seagull and the Plastic Sea, Miller’s latest story is another cleverly written tale with a timely message. The story encourages readers to keep their heads up in the real world so as not to miss out on experiencing real life passions that bring joy their everyday. Miller’s personal voice sings through clearly and she has developed a recognisable style in rhyming verse as well as the special ability to take serious topics and address them lightly.
Complimented by Wellingtonian Lily Uivel’s captivating illustrations and designed by Little Love, Daisy McCray and the Wave of the Day will provoke thought and inspire children to be present in their daily adventures.
Daisy McCray and the Wave of the Day is generously funded by the Bobby Stafford-Bush Foundation, who have supported Miller since 2019 when her manuscript for Celia Seagull and the Plastic Sea was finalised for the Joy Cowley Award. Nicole Miller says “Educating children with my writing is an absolute dream come true and I am hugely appreciative that the Bobby Stafford-Bush Foundation has enabled me to achieve this.”
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Nicole Miller was 'born and bred' in the sunny Bay of Plenty where she grew up eating avocados and kiwifruit. After receiving a Bachelor of Teaching at Waikato University, Nicole spent 5 years travelling and teaching abroad. Now living back in Tauranga she enjoys writing children’s stories that often address global issues. In 2019, she was finalised for the Joy Cowley award for her manuscript, Celia Seagull and the Plastic Sea, which was published by Little Love in 2021 and endorsed by Dr. Jane Goodall. Nicole now enjoys balancing part time teaching with family time and her musical interests. On the weekends she loves to spend time in the waves, the snow or hitting the stage.
ABOUT THE ILLUSTRATOR
After receiving her Bachelor of Fine Arts, Lily Uivel worked as a props maker and designer. But since before she could remember, she had loved to draw more than anything else. She would spend all of her spare time sketching and studying illustration. When Covid arrived, Lily and her partner, Rory Stewart, left their life in London and rushed home to New Zealand. Stuck in the house and trying to rebuild a life that had been abruptly scattered, Lily decided to give herself a chance. She has now illustrated over 10 picture books, including Sally Sutton's Lulu and the Dance Detectives (Penguin Random House), Melanie La’Brooy’s The Wintrish Girl (University of Queensland Press) and Nicole Miller’s Celia Seagull and the Plastic Sea (Little Love). Lily lives in Eastbourne with her assistant, She-Ra the dog, and Rory.
