Celeste and Crabapple Sam - Hardcover

Jennifer Brutschy

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0525674160 ISBN 13: 9780525674160

Publisher: Lodestar Books, 1994

Synopsis

Bad-tempered Crabapple Sam lives alone at the seashore, until Celeste arrives to soften him up and renew the damaged friendship between him and her grandfather.

About this title

From Kirkus Reviews

Crusty old Sam seems to be as sour as a crabapple, but the fact that he keeps a dog, Zack, a pet pig named Poppy, and-- curled companionably under the porch roof of his seaside shack--a large snake, suggests at the outcome that he has another side. Sure enough, he's no match for Celeste, visiting next door with her Grandpa Hammond. The little girl begins by making friends with Zack; cheerfully disregards Crabapple's sign (``Beware of rattlesnake''), pointing out that rattlers don't live by the sea; and pursues the old man's friendship with such unquenchable zeal that, step by step, she wins him over--as nicely evidenced in Christelow's pen-and-watercolor art as well as in the adroitly phrased dialogue. In the end, Sam comes over to Grandpa Hammond's for a fish fry, bringing his own catch (``Can't let this girl eat store-bought fish, Hammond''), his pet boa constrictor (``Rattlesnake'') draped around his neck, and even a grin for Celeste's grandpa, who's been his antagonist (and friend) since childhood. An energetic and entertaining tale, deftly pointing out that a gruff manner may be overcome with persistence, and may mask real affection. (Picture book. 5-8) -- Copyright ©1993, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 2-Crabapple Sam lives in a beach bungalow with his dog, pig, and boa constrictor and discourages visitors. One day, a little red-haired girl bursts into his life. Celeste, the granddaughter of Sam's neighbor and former pal, befriends his pets and breaks down his reserve with her enthusiasm and resistance to his unfriendliness. She convinces him to come to a fish fry with her family, where he and Grandpa make up-neither can remember what their quarrel was about. The descriptive text brings Sam and Celeste to life-Sam is a rickety, sour, croaky old man; pesky Celeste leapfrogs off steps and coos to the animals. The cartoon-style, watercolor illustrations depict her as an untidy little girl in constant motion. A few lines make Sam's facial expressions change from grumpy to sad to pensive to happy. The pictures complement the words, but the colorful writing can stand on its own. This delightful tale of intergenerational friendship will be enjoyed at story hours and by independent readers.
Martha Gordon, South Salem Library, NY
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Edition details

• Publisher: Lodestar Books
• Publication date: 1994
• ISBN 10: 0525674160
• ISBN 13: 9780525674160
• Binding: Hardcover
• Language: English
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 32
• Illustrator: Eileen Christelow