Don't You Feel Well, Sam? (Sam Books) [Hardcover]

Amy Hest (Author), Anita Jeram (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 2 and up | Series: Sam Books

Mama finds a gentle way to make the medicine go down in another timeless tale about Sam and Mrs. Bear, the endearing stars of KISS GOOD NIGHT.

It was a cold, cold night
on Plum Street.

In the little white house, Mrs. Bear is putting Sam to bed, when suddenly - Hck hck! coughs Sam. Mrs. Bear gets some syrup. But the syrup tastes bad, and there’s too much of it on a too-big spoon, and Sam can’t swallow it. What will make Sam feel better?

In this endearing follow-up to KISS GOOD NIGHT, acclaimed picture book creators Amy Hest and Anita Jeram revisit Sam and Mrs. Bear as they share a quiet moment of comfort that is enough to conquer the coldest night.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In this followup to the team's Kiss Good Night, bear cub Sam comes down with a cough "Hck, hck!" he hacks and is doted upon by his unflappable mother. If Sam can steel himself to take his cough medicine ("Tastes bad," he says, before his mother even pours out the syrup. "I don't have a cough"), then Mrs. Bear will reward his bravery by letting him stay up to watch the snowfall. "Sam leaned back on his mama's soft belly, and it wriggled while she talked," writes Hest after the deed is done. "The little fire glowed and the kitchen was warm." Jeram nestles tiny Sam into Mrs. Bear's voluminous girth (sweetly playing up the contrast in their sizes, as she did so effectively in the first book), while the thickly textured ocher walls of their snug home seem to stand guard against the frigid night. As in the earlier title, Hest's soothingly rhythmic and repetitive prose, Jeram's burnished-hued acrylics, and the unwavering affection between Sam and his mother conjure up the essence of familial warmth. Being sick may have its downside, but the author and illustrator emphasize the extra coddling and indulgences that come with feeling under the weather. Ages 2-6.
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

reSchool-Grade 2-When putting Sam to bed, Mrs. Bear hears him cough. She tries to give him medicine but he doesn't like the taste and there is too much of it. With the promise of waiting together for the snow to come, the cub finally takes the cough syrup. Mother and child go downstairs, have some tea, and cuddle up in a soft, cozy chair, where Mrs. Bear tells a story about a bear named Sam. As they sleep, the snow begins to fall, and the last page shows them building a snowbear. Jeram's soft, saturated acrylic illustrations extend Hest's quiet, gentle text. The bears are the focal point on every spread, and their household has lots of warm, subtle touches and curving lines that give the book a comfortable look. Two mice appear throughout; they, too, are part of this loving environment. A feel-good story to curl up with on a cold winter night.
Kathleen Simonetta, Indian Trails Public Library District, Wheeling, IL
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 2 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Candlewick; 1 edition (August 26, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0763610097
• ISBN-13: 978-0763610098
• Product Dimensions: 9.8 x 9.4 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.9 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,680,161 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Amy Hest's many acclaimed children's books include the New York Times bestseller Kiss Good Night. A three-time winner of the prestigious Christopher Award, she lives in New York City.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Don't, You Feel Well Sam?, August 8, 2006

By 

Ewa Stega (USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Don't You Feel Well, Sam? (Sam Books) (Hardcover)

I don't know about your children, but my hate medications. What a suprise when 2 years old Emi said "I will be brave like Sam" Since I got the book we don't struggle anymore with meds. What a relief.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A joyful, feel-good book!, December 7, 2003

By 

"abaker169" (Ames, IA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Don't You Feel Well, Sam? (Sam Books) (Hardcover)

Little Sam Bear just can't fall asleep; the cough in his throat is keeping him awake. When the love and cuddling Mrs. Bear shares don't work, she knows Sam needs medicine. Not wanting to take the cough medicine, Sam tries everything to convince his mom that he does not need it. "I don't have a cough!" Sam cries. "Taste bad," he explains. It's only when Mrs. Bear explains to Sam that after taking the medicine, they can go downstairs and wait for snow. Excited and brave, Sam swallows the syrup. All warm from the hot tea and cuddling, Sam is fast asleep when if finally snows.
The short tale of a sick cub and his loving mama is a wonderful book for all young readers. The way in which the author describes the setting is very inviting. Sam's red blanket is cozy, and his mama's belly is soft and wiggly as they snuggle in the big, purple chair while it snows. The pleasant setting will make any reader feel warm inside. The illustrations support this warm feeling. The soft colors bring out the best in both Sam and Mama Bear. This is a joyful, feel-good book!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Delightful story for wintertime, October 25, 2002

By 

Wendy Somerlot Bittel (Ohio) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Don't You Feel Well, Sam? (Sam Books) (Hardcover)

This is the short tale of Sam who his mother has discovered has a cough. Sam's mama patiently negotiates getting Sam to take his bad tasting cough syrup from the too big spoon. Then they snuggle in and wait for the snow to come. This a great story to read to your kids quietly before snuggling into bed on a cold winter night.