Good Night, Sam

PreS-Gr 1-In this cozy companion to Good Morning Sam (Groundwood, 2003), the wide-awake preschooler recruits his older sister, Stella, to help him find their missing dog so he can go to sleep. As Stella patiently accompanies him throughout the house, suggesting places the pet might be, alert readers will see the little hound hidden in each picture. The story touches on many fears young children have about the dark-monsters in the closet, menacing-looking furniture, noises from unknown sources-but it reassures with gentle humor and a steadfast sister. The wonderfully sketchy watercolor-and-pen drawings, neatly bordered in white, are drenched in blues with moonlit highlights. Gay's art strongly combines with the text to enhance the story line of loving siblings tackling a typical bedtime problem. A selection that's perfect for early readers as well as for one-on-one sharing with toddlers.-Marge Loch-Wouters, Menasha's Public Library, WI Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.

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