Good Morning Sam (Stella) (Hardcover)

by Marie-Louise Gay (Illustrator) "Sam," called Stella..." (more)

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal
PreSchool-This book perfectly balances a preschooler's desire to get dressed all by himself with his need for help. Big sister Stella, with her flaming orange hair and skinny limbs, is the ever-patient helper. She hurries young Sam along while still giving him the space he needs to progress from underwear and shirt to socks and shoes. They play hide-and-seek games, "Sam, are you in there?" and find the lost sock and shoes, with their sidekick dog, all pudgy and round, the thieving culprit every time. Finally, when Sam proudly declares, "I'm ready! And I did it all by myself!" readers will delight both in his exaggerated claim and the fact that he has forgotten his pants. When the two siblings finally exit the house, this punch line is extended as Stella, who has been distracted by her responsibilities, has neglected to get dressed altogether. Gay excels at creating a true-to-life glimpse at one small segment of a young child's day. The whole presentation is understated from the minimal text full of subtle repetition and mundane poignancy to the diminished size of the book itself with square pages and lots of white space. Soft washed watercolors, which are expertly defined by a flowing touch of pencil, extend the playful action. They create sweet, enduring characters who are bound to strike a familiar chord with readers.
Martha Topol, Traverse Area District Library, Traverse City, MI
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist
PreS-Gr. 1. Preschooler Sam is awakened by his older sister, Stella, who offers to help him dress. Sam bravely announces that he doesn't need any assistance. But though he's willing, he's not quite up to the job, being largely undermined by his own sense of fun and the antics of his little, mischievous, pot-bellied dog. Big Sister's help is, therefore, occasionally necessary. "Finally," says impatient Stella when the job is done. "Let's go," she says, heading out the door--still wearing her nightgown. Like previous books in this Canadian author-illustrator's charming series, this is a winning, humorous story of everyday life and sibling relationships. Gay's fluid watercolors sparkle with comic detail; Stella's bright orange-red hair, which matches her personality, virtually explodes off the page. One of the best pictures shows Stella pulling off Sam's stuck pajama top; kids will practically hear the sucking sound as it pops over his head. The quiet humor flows onto the endpapers, which show the dog stealing a slipper and then a sock. An amusing story crafted from one of life's most commonplace activities. Todd Morning
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

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Product Details

• Reading level: Baby-Preschool
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Groundwood Books (January 24, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0888995288
• ISBN-13: 978-0888995285
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 8 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #272,348 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A sure favorite, June 27, 2004

By	Ann Fields (Ohio) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This is a fun story to read to little ones...my two (ages 4 & 2) giggle over Sam's antics every time. Very much written in a story line my children can relate to. I look forward to reading the rest of the series.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Another delightful Stella and Sam, slice of life story ..., February 24, 2003

By A Customer

I couldn't wait to read the newest book in the series. This story is simple in text, yet so very well portrays the older and younger sibblings interaction. Marie-Louise Gay understands children and their thought processes. The little dog is great fun to watch and the tiny things in the illustrations like sea shells on the top of dresser, little striped socks here and there, the handmade art work that decorates their walls ..., read the book over and over again and you will discover something new each time. It's a feel good book and it deserves a place on your bookshelf along side the first Stella books. Thank you, Marie-Louise Gay for the smiles.