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Library | Call Number | Status |
|---|---|---|
Searching... Monmouth Public Library | ROBBERECHT | Searching... Unknown |
Searching... Woodburn Public Library | Robberecht | Searching... Unknown |
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Summary
Summary
Sam is only friends with boys. Boys are strong and tough--girls aren't. But when Ellie joins Sam's class and he's forced to get to know her, he finds out that her parents may be getting a divorce. Then Sam sees just how strong and tough a girl can be, and he makes his first real friend.
Readers will relate to Sam's feelings--and his change of heart--and the bold colors, engaging animal characters, and gentle humor are perfectly suited to the preschool audience.
Author Notes
Thierry Robberecht and Philippe Goossens have created 15 books together, including three other books about Sam, and their work has been published in 13 countries. They both live in Brussels.
Reviews (5)
School Library Journal Review
PreS-Gr 2-Sam is a pup who is certain that boys are tough and girls are not. While his school's student population is diverse-a rabbit, a mouse, a bear, and several dogs-most of the boys agree on one thing: they don't play with girls. Therefore, Sam is unpleasantly surprised to learn that Ellie, the new student in his class and the daughter of his mother's friend, will not only be staying over at his house, but will also be sharing his bedroom. He is awakened in the middle of the night by Ellie's quiet weeping and discovers that she fears her parents are splitting up. He listens and comforts her and is amazed at the courage she exhibits. Sam's newfound respect for her opens his mind to the possibility of being friends with girls as he realizes that they can be as strong as boys. The text is printed on solid-colored backgrounds in a hue taken from the full-page oil illustrations facing it. The simplicity of the format lends an eye-pleasing charm to the book. Ellie is depicted as a sweet-faced white cat, and all of the characters have lots of personality. This third title about Sam presents a gentle lesson that will be appreciated by children of both genders.-Maryann H. Owen, Racine Public Library, WI (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Publisher's Weekly Review
Thierry Robberecht and Philippe Goossens (Sam Tells Stories) gently but effectively broach important issues in Sam's New Friend. Sam plays only with other boys at school ("Boys are tough. Girls aren't"). But when Sam learns that the new girl's parents might get divorced, he realizes that girls are tougher and braver than he thought. (Clarion, $12 32p ages 3-6 ISBN 9780-618-91448-7; Jan.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Horn Book Review
In this third tale starring sensitive dog Sam, his mom makes him befriend Ellie, a girl (cat). After Ellie confides that her parents might get a divorce, Sam realizes that girls can be as tough as boys. As in the previous Sam books, the lesson is learned too easily, but the front-and-center emotions are enhanced by appealing oils in cloudy, mood-tailored hues. (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted. All rights reserved.
Kirkus Review
Sam the wolf is back for his third outing, this time learning lessons about friendship and peer pressure. At school, the boys are tough and play only with other boys, unless they want to get teased, that is. One day, Sam's class gets a new student, a sad-looking girl named Ellie. To Sam's chagrin, Ellie comes home with him after school and even spends the night--Sam and Ellie's moms are friends. Sam is not pleased when his room is rearranged to make way for Ellie's bed. That night, though, Sam wakes up to hear Ellie crying softly. He comforts her and looks at her with new eyes in the morning. That day they play together on the playground, ignoring their classmates' taunts. Sam's new friend is just as strong and tough as any boy. Goossens's oils hit the mark once again. Clean lines and simple details keep the focus on the facial expressions, while the bold jewel-tones make the illustrations pop off the page. Robberecht's Sam really forces young children to think and to develop empathy. Could adults ask for more in a character? (Picture book. 3-6) Copyright ©Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Booklist Review
Like Sam Is Never Scared (2006), this new book about Sam is a nonmessagy friendship story, with simple words accompanied by illustrations that show animal characters in human dress. Boys don't play with girls, so Sam the dog is angry when his mother brings home her friend's daughter, Ellie, a white kitten, who shares Sam's room when she spends the night. But when Sam hears Ellie crying in the dark (her parents are divorcing), he comforts her just as his parents comfort him. The next day, they play together. The clear, bright pictures show both the bonding and the heartfelt feelings.--Rochman, Hazel Copyright 2008 Booklist