You Can Do It, Sam

by Amy Hest, Anita Jeram (Illustrator)

Overview

"Endearing characters add to the sweetness and fulfillment that younger children will identify with, making this third Sam and Mrs. Bear story quite a delicious morsel." — Kirkus Reviews

"Little ones will find this both a suitable precursor to nap time and a spur to be brave and act generously — just like Sam." — Booklist

Mrs. Bear and Sam are baking cakes for their friends.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780763636883
Publisher:	Candlewick Press
Publication date:	08/14/2007
Series:	Sam Books Series
Edition description:	Reprint
Pages:	32
Sales rank:	205,187
Product dimensions:	8.00(w) x 8.00(h) x 0.12(d)
Age Range:	2 - 5 Years

About the Author

Amy Hest is the award-winning author of many books for children, including KISS GOOD NIGHT and DON'T YOU FEEL WELL, SAM?, her first two books about Sam and Mrs. Bear; WHEN JESSIE CAME ACROSS THE SEA, illustrated by P.J. Lynch, which received the Christopher Medal; and the beloved Baby Duck series, illustrated by Jill Barton. Of her inspiration for YOU CAN DO IT, SAM, she says, "I love snowy days! I love being out in the snow . . . and coming in from the snow . . . and the wonderful smell of something baking in the oven on snowy days."

Anita Jeram is the illustrator of GUESS HOW MUCH I LOVE YOU by Sam McBratney and KISS GOOD NIGHTand DON'T YOU FEEL WELL, SAM? by Amy Hest. She is also the author-illustrator of I LOVE MY LITTLE STORYBOOK; BUNNY MY HONEY; and ALL TOGETHER NOW. Of YOU CAN DO IT, SAM, she says, "One thing my kids have taught me is that parenting is a process. Sometimes they seem to grow so fast, sometimes so slowly, but growth for us and our children is a matter of thousands of tiny heroic steps, each one a heartwarming story just like this one."

Editorial Reviews

A number of fall picture books feature familiar characters. In You Can Do It, Sam by Amy Hest, illus. by Anita Jeram, this third Mrs. Bear and Sam the cub story finds the mother-son duo cooking up "a tasty surprise" for their neighbors. The title, however, doesn't refer to what's going on in the kitchen, but rather what Sam does after the goodies are stuffed into red gift bags-and his mama asks him to play Santa. Although Jeram uses the same rounded lines and subtle colors that make the interior scenes so snuggly, she's equally accomplished at conveying the icy light and crisp air of a winter morning. Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.

Publishers Weekly

PreS-Gr 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.

School Library Journal

A warm gesture of generosity has Sam and Mrs. Bear up before dawn, baking, wrapping, and delivering small cakes in red gift bags to the sleeping neighbors' doors on their snowy street. Sam's exuberant impatience in the kitchen-"Come on, cakes . . . I can't wait . . . "-is tempered by his shy demeanor when encouraged to walk alone from mom's truck to each house with his savory treat: "Go, go, go! . . . You can do it, Sam." The satisfaction of gift-giving inspires confidence in this preschooler and a sense of security that's ultimately rewarded at home with his own tasty snack of cake and cocoa. Bright, colorful acrylics paint a dual scene of a toasty home life against a frosty clear morning. Endearing characters add to the sweetness and fulfillment that younger children will identify with, making this third Sam and Mrs. Bear story quite a delicious morsel. (Picture book. 2-4)

Kirkus Reviews