What Are You Doing Sam?

Description

32 pages
Contains Illustrations
$14.95
ISBN 0-88899-746-9
DDC jC813'.54

Publisher

Year

2006

Contributor

Reviewed by Linda Ludke

Linda Ludke is a children’s librarian at the London Public Library.

Review

The ever-charming sibling duo of Stella and Sam have many playful
adventures inside on a rainy day. (Earlier books in the series include
Stella, Star of the Sea; Stella, Fairy of the Forest; Good Morning Sam;
and Good Night Sam.) As always, Stella answers her inquisitive little
brother’s questions with flair. For example, when Sam asks, “How do
dogs learn to swim?” Stella responds, “They take swimming
lessons.” When Sam asks if dogs can read, she explains that they need
glasses.

In this book, Sam expresses his independence and declines his
sister’s help when making peanut butter and banana pancakes, and when
teaching his dog, Fred, some new tricks. While Stella allows her younger
charge freedom, she also checks up on him, asking “What are you doing,
Sam?”

The gentle, back-and-forth banter is complemented by Marie-Louise
Gay’s watercolour illustrations of warm, domestic scenes. Many fun,
quirky details are included, such as Sam taking a bath outfitted in
snorkelling gear, his habit of wearing only one sock, and Fred’s help
in creating a wall-painting masterpiece. Highly recommended.

Citation

Gay, Marie-Louise., “What Are You Doing Sam?,” Canadian Book Review Annual Online, accessed February 14, 2025, https://cbra.library.utoronto.ca/items/show/23465.