The Loudness of Sam [Hardcover]

James Proimos (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 4 and up | Grade Level: K and up

When Sam laughs, Sam laughs loudly. When Sam cries, Sam cries loudly. But while visiting his aunt Tillie in the city, Sam is surprised to discover that some people--in fact, many people--hold in their feelings. Can Sam survive a week with Aunt Tillie, a week when he is often told to "hush"?

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

"Did someone throw nuts and bolts into the blender and turn it on?" Sam's mom asks. "No, honey, that's just our baby," Dad proudly explains. Sam was born loud. When he laughs, he laughs loudly, and when he cries, he cries loudly. Thankfully, Sam's parents love every sound their precious son makes. One day, Sam (now a loud young boy) gets a letter from his Aunt Tillie who wants him to visit her in the city. Once there, he is amazed by urban marvels--cheese on a stick, garbage on the streets, a silly hat. He notices that city people--even his aunt--seem rather indifferent to the wonders around them. At first Aunt Tillie is embarrassed by her nephew's effusiveness. ("Laughing is for monkeys!" she declares.) But a funny thing happens on Sam's last day with her--she laughs loudly! It seems that the Loudness of Sam is contagious, and the two of them laugh all the way home in the car. Once again, James Proimos (creator of the uplifting and quirky picture book Joe's Wish) disguises a sweet story of love and acceptance in comical, exaggerated cartoons with hilarious asides. The Loudness of Sam is a wonderful, albeit offbeat gift for new parents of loud babies or parents with particularly challenging offspring. Of course, kids will love it too. (Click to see a sample spread. Illustration ©1999 by James Proimos, reproduced with permission of Harcourt Brace & Company.) (Preschool to age 6) --Karin Snelson

From Publishers Weekly

In this refreshing, rambunctious book, stentorian Sam goes to visit his aunt, exchanging his doting parents' home for "the big city," a world of libraries, restaurants and the (comparatively) repressed Aunt Tillie. His permissive parents never hush him: when he laughs for joy, his parents say, "He sounds like a garbage truck slamming into an accordion factory!" and "Beautiful, isn't it?" From his foray into society, Sam doesn't learn that children should be seen and not heard; instead, his aunt learns not to hold in her emotions. The giant mouths and huge letters of Proimos's (Joe's Wish) cartoon artwork more than match the timbre of the story. His neon colors, exploding off the page, make a visual noise of their own, trumpeting the theme throughout Sam's story. Most pleasing of all is Proimos's choice to expose a tight-lipped society rather than to tame emotive Sam. Like Aunt Tillie, readers will discover that Sam's volume is contagiousAthey will laugh out LOUD! Ages 4-8.
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Harcourt Children's Books; 1 edition (March 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 015202087X
• ISBN-13: 978-0152020873
• Product Dimensions: 9.7 x 8.9 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,027,889 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars My newest favorite author!, February 14, 2003

By 

Timothy Capehart "Review-a-holic" (Dayton, Ohio USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Loudness of Sam (Hardcover)

I seem to find one every day, but Proimos is my new favorite picture book author. His illustrations are crazily
cartoonish...his stories are full of silly details...but the secret messages are almost Buddhist...Here Sam has been loud all his life and his parents are proud; they never shush him. Then Sam visits his aunt in the city and she and everyone else shush him at everyturn. But on the last day of her visit, she gets it & says, "I don't seem to be able to keep the sadness or gladness inside of me." And Sam tells her it is foolish to try. Wonderful! A story for all ages to take to heart.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I loved this book., March 27, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Loudness of Sam (Hardcover)

I loved this book. I think James Proimos is brilliant. His words and illustrations blend perfectly. This book is about being true to yourself. What better message is there to pass along to children? Plus, it's very funny! Bravo!

5.0 out of 5 stars Bought for an adult, December 20, 2005

By 

Rebecca Thompson "HappyMommy" (Lawrenceburg, IN) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Loudness of Sam (Hardcover)

I bought this book as a gift for my best friend. She was 20 years old and I thought this book suited her personality. She is very extroverted and really like the book. She cried when she read the book because she said it was her childhood in about 20 pages. I hope you enjoy this book!