School Library Journal Review
K-Gr 2-Sam is starting a new school and wants the other kids to realize how special he is. The young creature begins making up stories about himself and his dad to impress them instead of showing his talents (he is a good soccer player). While he eventually has to come clean about his tales at school and at home, he learns that kids still like him. The story is somewhat confusing as Sam also tells his younger brother bedtime tales and convinces him that he still has a talent for storytelling. There isn't enough of a distinction made between the lies that Sam tells his friends and the creative tales he tells his brother. Goossens's oil paintings are uncluttered, with strong, simple shapes and muted colors. His illustrations of the assorted animals are warm and friendly. The desire for friends will be understandable to many children, but the story will require some discussion about the difference between lying and storytelling.-Susan E. Murray, Glendale Public Library, AZ (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Publisher's Weekly Review
Kids will be thrilled to reunite with favorite friends in these picture book sequels. Sam (first introduced in Sam Is Never Scared) is back in Sam Tells Stories by Thierry Robberecht, illus. by Philippe Goossens. At a new school Sam impresses his new friends with stories about his "astronaut dad," the aliens that came over for dinner and other seemingly harmless lies. But when Sam goes too far, he realizes that he must come clean with his friends and family. (Clarion, $12 32p ages 3-6 ISBN 978-0-618-73280-7; Aug.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Kirkus Review
Sam's second outing after Sam is Never Scared (2006) addresses kids' proclivity for telling stories. Wanting to make friends at his new school, Sam tells everyone that his dad is an astronaut. And thus, Sam steps on the slippery slope of storytelling. At bedtime, he tells his little brother there was a dragon on the playground. To explain his muddy clothes, he tells his mom that the bigger kids picked a fight. And the astronaut story keeps getting more embellished. Sam reaches an epiphany one sleepless night when he realizes that all this lying will catch up with him, and then everyone will know that he didn't tell the truth. He pledges to be himself from then on, and tells his friends the real story. Although they are angry with him, they get over it quickly. But his brother asks for more--he thinks Sam is a great storyteller. The only lie left dangling is the one to his parents. Goossens' oils hit the mark again, keeping the focus on the characters and their feelings, while downplaying distracting details. With its pat ending and lack of consequences, this is perfect for the youngest children as a gentle introduction to storytelling and its downfalls. (Picture book. 3-5) Copyright ©Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
