Sam: Who Was Swallowed by a Shark

Sam the water rat has a dream of sailing on the sea and, as his neighbors scold him about neglecting his garden and his fence, he builds a boat and makes his dream come true.

PreSchool-Grade 1-"Follow your heart" is the theme of this appealing tale. River rat Sam hears the compelling call of the sea as he halfheartedly attends to his daily chores at his home on the river bank and ignores his sensible neighbors who scoff at his far-fetched musings. But he persists and builds a small craft on which to set sail. His worried friends bid him farewell and watch as he heads downstream to the sea. The final page shows the contented sailor skimming the wild ocean waves. By turning a deaf ear to the naysayers, even risking some danger, Sam finds satisfaction. The simple cartoon-style watercolors are a pleasant accompaniment to the text. Young readers will like this rodent's spirit. In the end it is his brave "whatever floats your boat" determination that brings a happy resolution, even if someday he is swallowed by a shark.
Virginia E. Jeschelnig, Willoughby-Eastlake Public Library, Willowick, OH
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Sam has always wanted to go to sea, but his neighbors, Mr. Barleybean and Mrs. Seednibbler, try to convince him that "rats should have their paws planted firmly on the ground." Sam remains determined nevertheless, and his dream becomes a reality as he buy a boat-building kit and then hammers, saws, sandpapers and caulks a sailboat into existence. At last he can bob downstream to "the sea of his heart's desire." As months pass without word from the seafarer, his neighbors are convinced he has met a terrible end (" 'Poor Sam,' said Mrs. Seednibbler. 'Swallowed by a shark.' "); in fact, Sam is sailing "faraway," happy as can be. Understated prose interspersed with chipper dialogue captures the clarity of Sam's ambition while the even pacing underlines his quiet persistence and progress. Imbued with a fresh sense of color, Scheffler's clean-lined illustrations evoke a woodland community of hardworking river rats. A bucolic atmosphere reigns, the title adding just a touch of dark humor. Ages 3-up.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.