Daisy Finds Her Smile

How do you stand up to bullies and find your best smile? With the help of your friends, of course! This uplifting true story features Daisy, a little disabled duck, coping with being bullied. Her journey to find acceptance is relatable for children and parents the world over. Daisy Finds Her Smile helps children understand that some disabilities are invisible and highlights the strength of friendship.

Melanie Broughton is a single mum of three grown-up children and lives near Newmarket, Suffolk.

She is passionate about photography and is an Equine Touch and VHT practitioner, which is a gentle, hands-on therapy to encourage healing and relaxation in horses and humans.

Melanie leads an active life and enjoys swimming, cycling, riding and walking, as well as gardening and looking after her chickens.Animals have always been an important part of her life, and as a child she was frequently rescuing injured creatures.

When one of her children was bullied at school, she realised Daisy’s story could open up discussions with children about bullying and steer them towards a kinder, fairer and more inclusive world.

Melanie visited our school to give a reading, and through her ‘quacking’ book highlighted the importance of being kind and standing up to bullying. I am pleased to say that the message from Daisy is a great one – kindness is key to a happy life.



It is a joy to see a book for children that shows how not to snipe and mock our differences, but to enjoy the friendships that can arise when a group of varied folk accept individual challenges and work together as friends.

Children soak up and absorb everything we share with them, and Daisy Finds Her Smile is an enchanting story with a message of friendship and kindness. It’s a story which I know will initiate lots of conversation with little ones and allow us to emphasise the importance of being kind. The rhyming text and beautiful illustrations make this book the perfect bedtime read, and one which both adults and children will enjoy equally!