Samson The Hot Tub Bear: A True Story [Illustrated] [Hardcover]

Wendy Tokuda (Author)

Book Description

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

This is the true story of how a hot-tub soaking, avocado-loving bear named Samson was saved by a community who found his escapades worth celebrating. Ages 4-8.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In this true story, a bear named Samson leaves his mountain habitat for the backyards of Monrovia, Calif., where he lolls in hot tubs and forages for avocados. At one of his favorite haunts, the Potters' house, the homeowners videotape their furry guest swimming in the pool. One night, the bear appears to be ill, so the Potters call the game warden for helpAonly to discover that the bear has run afoul of the law. A death sentence is passed, but public outcryAfanned by the airing of the videotapeAleads to Samson's pardon from the governor and a home at a zoo, complete with private swimming pool and waterfall. Tokuda, a California TV anchor who covered the story in 1994, gives a largely unembellished account. While entertaining, the text reads a bit like an outline, with overly brisk transitions and a number of salient facts relegated to a "prologue" that is actually a succinct version of the story. Millis's (Holy Mole Guacomole!) frolicsome watercolors of a teddy-like bruin amid festively colored backdrops highlight the cozy tone encapsulated in the final comments: "Love is a very powerful thing, and nothing proves that more than the story of the old bear named Samson." Ages 4-8. (May) FYI: A portion of Tokuda's royalties will go to the Orange County Zoo to help care for Samson.
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Hardcover: 30 pages
• Publisher: Roberts Rinehart (May 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 157098090X
• ISBN-13: 978-1570980909
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 8.9 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,117,952 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars GOOD LITTLE CHILDREN'S BOOK ON SAMSON, January 22, 2002

By 

JOE-JOE BOOKS "JOE BOOKS" (CALIFORNIA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Samson The Hot Tub Bear: A True Story (Hardcover)

This is a cute little book that little children who like bears will probably like. It is illustrated with watercolor paintings by a competent artist. This book basically tells the story of Samson and how he came to be a Southern California legend. I only wish there were more than two (small) photographs of the bear. But overall, the book is short enough and well illustrated to keep the attention of a young child. My three year old likes it and it made a nice memento of our visit to the Orange County Zoo. Even though Samson is now gone, he is still remembered.