You Can Do It, Sam

by Amy Hest

Book 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.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0763636886
• ISBN13: 9780763636883
• Release Date: August 2007
• Publisher: Candlewick Press (MA)
• Length: 32 Pages
• Weight: 0.30 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.1" x 6.8" x 7.4"
• Age Range: 2 to 5 years

Customer Reviews

Charming Bedtime Story

This book is wonderful! Both of my children (3 and 5 years) love it. The text, while not rhyming, is poetic. I think what makes this story so charming is that it isn't trying to drive a message home. Instead it's just about a Mama bear and her little one spending time together. Read quietly, this book is a wonderful bedtime story!

Very sweet

I bought this book for my 4 year old daughter and we snuggle and read it together over and over again. It's a very sweet and encouraging book for a little one.

We've read this book over and over and never tire of it

We bought this book three years ago and my kids (4 yrs. and 7 yrs.) still love to read/hear it. I was surprised to see two reviewers describe the text as awkward and "strangely repetitive." The text is repetitive, but it's poetic and emphasizes certain concepts. Typically children like repetition of words and themes. Regarding a previous reviewer's comments about spending more time on the "you can do it" aspect, I'd argue that the part about mama bear and her little cub working together to bake and prepare the packages is as important to the story as the actual delivery. What's not to like about a mom spending time with her son and teaching him how to serve his neighbors? The text of this book is charming and the illustrations are beautiful. We own all three Sam books and regularly give them as gifts. I highly recommend the entire series.

Captivating

My two-year-old daughter is thrilled with this book. After her first "Sam" book, "Don't You Feel Well, Sam?" she was eager to read another. She just loves the colorful illustrations, especially where Anita Jeram paints little animals in unexpected places. Sam is brave again as he goes by himself to deliver cakes to the neighbors. My daughter can relate to being so little and yet capable of great things when she is brave.

Wonderful Story

"You Can Do It, Sam" is a terrific bedtime story for preschoolers. My four year old loves this story; a story about a bear named Sam who could deliver special treats to his friends on Plum Street all by himself! It's nice to find quality children's literature and not always easy to do.