You Can Do It, Sam (Sam Books) [Hardcover]

Amy Hest (Author), Anita Jeram (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 2 and up | Series: Sam Books

Sam goes all by himself to deliver treats to his friends in an endearing new tale from the creators of the NEW YORK TIMES bestseller KISS GOOD NIGHT and DON'T YOU FEEL WELL, SAM?

"All by myself?" whispered Sam.
"Go, go, go!" Mrs. Bear put
her arm around Sam.
"You can do it, Sam."

It happened one winter morning, when the moon was still up, making moonbeams and shadows on Plum Street. In the little white house, Mrs. Bear and Sam were baking golden-brown cakes for their friends. "Come
on, cakes," whispered Sam. "I can’t wait, I can’t wait, I can’t wait!" At last Mrs. Bear sniffed the air and said, "I believe our cakes are ready." But who will go out in the snow and carry the tasty treats to each sleepy house?

In their third story about Sam and Mrs. Bear, Amy Hest and Anita Jeram capture a child’s simple joy of giving - and a quiet moment of confidence that will warm the coldest winter day.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 1-In this third visit to the cozy home of a little bear and his loving mama, Sam has grown just a bit bigger, but not much bolder. When the two of them set out to make early-morning deliveries of the tasty cakes they have baked for their friends, Mrs. Bear encourages him to go to their doors. "All by myself?" he whispers. A heartening hug helps him to muster up his courage and make his way through the new snow to leave a red-bagged surprise on the doorsteps of several houses. And when they return home from making these neighborly gestures, there are two bags left over, just right for a brave little cub and his caring mother. Mrs. Bear in her big green sweater, the homey quilt-square curtains in the snug and humble kitchen, and the white mice with whom the bears share their home are warm and familiar. Jeram's bright, acrylic palette is gold-kissed and glowing. And while this story is not as fluid or as rhythmic as its companions, Sam's fans will find little fault with it.
Kathy Krasniewicz, Perrot Library, Greenwich, CT
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

PreS-K. In this cozy picture book about a mother and son's quiet adventures on a winter morning, Mrs. Bear (a very gentle-looking bear) builds up Sam's confidence in a sweet and memorable way. Mom and Sam bake cakes together, and Sam is encouraged to deliver them to friends' doorsteps. All by himself, through the newly fallen snow, he goes up to each door and leaves a "tasty surprise." Then he runs back to Mom for a tender hug, his sense of accomplishment shining forth from the illustrations. Hest uses a soothing, repetitive voice for this instruction in gift giving ("Mrs. Bear and Sam counted cakes, and there were twelve. They tucked them in bags, and there were twelve red bags"), and Jeram's acrylic paintings capture the subdued light of winter mornings. Little ones will find this both a suitable precursor to naptime and a spur to be brave and act generously--just like Sam. Abby Nolan
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 2 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Candlewick (September 15, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0763619345
• ISBN-13: 978-0763619343
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 0.5 x 9.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (22 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #634,883 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

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars We've read this book over and over and never tire of it, September 26, 2007

By 

maman2 (Utah) - See all my reviews

This review is from: You Can Do It, Sam (Paperback)

We bought this book three years ago and my kids (4 yrs. and 7 yrs.) still love to read/hear it. I was surprised to see two reviewers describe the text as awkward and "strangely repetitive." The text is repetitive, but it's poetic and emphasizes certain concepts. Typically children like repetition of words and themes. Regarding a previous reviewer's comments about spending more time on the "you can do it" aspect, I'd argue that the part about mama bear and her little cub working together to bake and prepare the packages is as important to the story as the actual delivery. What's not to like about a mom spending time with her son and teaching him how to serve his neighbors? The text of this book is charming and the illustrations are beautiful. We own all three Sam books and regularly give them as gifts. I highly recommend the entire series.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Hard to read, February 15, 2007

By 

Jamie in Washington (Eastern Washington, USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: You Can Do It, Sam (Sam Books) (Hardcover)

This book has many odd semi-repeating phrases. They are difficult to read silently, let alone out loud to your toddler. My husband and I are regular, everyday readers and we love to read to our daughter. However, this particular book was very difficult to find a rhythm or safe pace to read with. The illustrations are sweet.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Not one of my favorites, December 27, 2006

By 

princess Strawberry (NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: You Can Do It, Sam (Sam Books) (Hardcover)

Although the illustrations in this book are nice, I find the text halting and rather repetitive in a strange way, making it hard to read. The text, as the professional review suggested, is not fluid at all. I think they could have spent less time talking about baking the cookies and put more emphasis on the "you can do it" aspect. I don't really enjoy reading it to my son and he doesn't seem to prefer it over any other books.