Sam at the Seaside

Diane Clark is research services librarian in the Cameron Library at the
University of Alberta.

Sam is an Old English Sheepdog puppy who thinks she is a person. Very
cute and furry, she gets into trouble—but only when things don’t go
her way. In Sam at the Seaside, her owners, Joan and Bob, take Sam to
the beach. Sam feels that she should be having fun doing what people do,
like walking in the water or making a sand castle. But when Sam walks in
the water, she gets tossed by a wave. And she can only dig a hole, not
make a castle. After finding and losing some yummy treats to birds, she
finds a smelly fish skeleton that she can really have fun with.

In Sam Next Door, a new family moves in. Sam is very excited when the
children invite her to play with them. But she is soon disappointed when
she finds out they are playing family and she is the baby who is fed
plastic food. Sam decides to teach the children how to play with her, so
they play tug of war and chase each other. Everyone including Sam is
happy to do just what Sam wants to do.

Both books will be enjoyed by young readers. Sentences are simple with
lots of repetition, and the accompanying illustrations are well done and
offer good visual cues. For parents reading along with their children,
illustrator Marisol Sarrazin has done a fine job of evoking nostalgia in
her drawings through her use of soft shades and a hazy glow. Both books
are recommended.