Sammy's Secret

Children's Literature - Marilyn Courtot

Sammy is the runt of the feline friends featured in this early reader. He can't jump as high as Jess or run as fast as Rocky. He needs to grow, so he tries hanging from a door, stretching on the floor, but it is no use, he will just have to let nature take its course. Being small can sometimes be an advantage, though, as Sammy shows his friends how he can escape the rain. He gets the last laugh as the bedraggled group looks at him inside the house all warm and comfortable, because he was small enough to crawl through a small window opening. "Tadpoles" is the name given to this series of early readers that kids can read on their own or with adult assistance. Tips are provided to help enrich the reading experience and make it fun. The fifth point listed is one often overlooked—"Give praise! Children learn best in a positive environment." On the verso of the title page in each title of the series, there is a photograph or drawing of the author and illustrator with a comment from each. Reviewer: Marilyn Courtot

School Library Journal

PreS-Gr 1

These easy-to-read books have an appealing format, large print, and charming color illustrations. However, the texts are poor. In Auntie Susan , an adult acts silly and her niece copies her dress and behavior. A typical sentence is, "She has lines on her face, but I don't think she's old." Forget the suggestion of age, what about those contractions? Young readers need to see "she is" not "she's." The second title has numerous pictures of a cute bear dressed in overalls and covered in honey, and ends abruptly with ants running after him. Where the text reads, "Runny honey in Bear's jaws," children don't really see bear's jaws; the illustration depicts honey dripping down the side of the honey jar and from the bear's mouth. These titles are a pass.-Susan Lissim, Dwight School, New York City