Quick Look
- A happy dog helps his young owner to overcome sadness
- A fun, playful story about finding joy in everyday things
- Uplifting and feel-good, Caroline Crowe's text fizzes with humour and life
- Funny, colourful and engaging illustrations from Carlos Velez capture the boisterous dog energy and expressions of our favourite four-legged friends
- Dog-lovers will chuckle at Sam’s funny and familiar canine antics
Sam the dog helps his best friend to find happiness in this uplifting story about learning to live in the moment. Bursting with positivity and curious dog energy, this heartfelt book encourages all of us to be a little less sad and a little more dog!
Description
"My dog Sam has a superpower. He doesn't wear a costume. He can't fly. And he definitely can't make himself invisible.
Sam's superpower is happiness."
Sam can find happiness in the most unexpected places: a smelly old boot, a deflated ball, even in a muddy puddle! When Dad leaves for work, Sam's young owner needs a little help to be happy again. Can Sam show his best friend how to be a bit less sad and a bit more dog?
This is a funny and heart-warming picture book about finding joy in the simplest things. With uplifting text from Caroline Crowe and engaging, lively illustrations from Carlos Velez, this feel-good story celebrates the connection between children and pets and encourages us all to be more dog!
Reviews
'Well paced for young readers, with a well-conveyed message about finding your own joy. The lively illustrations are full of movement, from the splashes of rain around the child’s bike tires to Sam’s endlessly wagging tail. A meaningful story about looking within for happiness—with a little support from our (four-legged) friends.'
-- Kirkus Reviews
'A really great, inspirational book for little ones who get the blues or otherwise need help turning their mood arounds.'
-- Youth Services Book Review, STARRED REVIEW
'This lovely picture book holds inviting lessons about adaptation and joy that read-aloud adults will find perfect for discussions about life views and flexibility.'
-- Midwest Book Review
'This book is joyous. The heart-warming story shows us the benefit of being present and staying alert to the world around us. Vélez's illustrations of Sam are wonderful; with his scruffy coat and lolling tongue, he is so full of character, and the bond between him and the boy is beautiful. A charming story that reminds us how to keep our tail wagging.'
-- Juno
'What a delightful book with a great message. Worth having in any library or picture book collection.'
-- Peters, Book of the Week
'Color pencil sketch-type illustrations show off the happy dog and their play, which distracts the boy. A great depiction of how having fun can make the time go by, and before you know it, dad is home.'
-- Association of California Libraries
'Caroline Crowe's simply told story is wittily complemented by Carlos Velez's vibrant, energetic artwork... Readers from 3 years upwards will relish the rumbustious antics of Sam the dog and the ways in which he finds happiness.'
-- Just Imagine
'This brilliantly illustrated book is a funny and positive story that highlights the importance of discovering the fun in the simple things in life and nature. It’s a meaningful lesson for little ones and for grown ups too.'
-- The Kids Bookstagrammer (Instagram)
'The illustrations do a great job of showing the emotions felt throughout the story: the dread of parental separation, the simple fun of playing with your dog and the joy of being reunited.'
-- Storybook Mama (Instagram)
'A joyous book with such dynamic, heart-felt illustrations.'
-- BusyBusyLearning (Instagram)
'Dog lovers will find the utmost happiness in this one... A heartwarming book that celebrates the bond we share with pets.'
-- MrJsThornton (Instagram)
'A heartwarming story about how everyday things can be sources of happiness. We loved the beautiful representation of diversity.'
-- ReadAndSpark (Instagram)
'An uplifting story about a child who decides to follow her pooch's example to embrace the incredible.'
-- RaisingSmallReaders (Instagram)
'A perfect book for kids who have anxiety when a parent has to leave. The illustrations are so expressive and sweet, and the humour and happieness Sam brings into the simple things of life is a great reminder to parents as well.'
-- SarahHopeReads (Instagram)
'Dog lovers will find the utmost happiness in this one! As humans, we often overlook the small things in life that can bring us major joy. Sam the dog shows his young owner exactly how to be carefree and happy when dad leaves for work. This is a heartwarming book that celebrates the bond we share with pets.'
-- MrJSThornton
'A charming story about animal-human bonds and the power of seeking out joy, even when it seems hard to find... This one gets bonus points for incidental representation of a child with a hearing aid!'
-- ReadingWithRedAndTheMagpie (Instagram)
'A stand-out doggy delight with a unique twist. This is sure to delight animal fans and adults looking for books about resilience and mindfulness alike.'
-- Jean Little Library
'So sweet and uplifting, a wonderful reminder for us all.'
-- ThreeLittleLovesLibrary (Instagram)
Author
Caroline Crowe is the award-winning author of several books for children, including Our Incredible Library Book (and the wonderful journeys it took). She was a journalist for many years before making the jump to writing for children full time. Caroline lives in Hampshire, England, with her young family, surrounded by chaos and their ever-growing collection of children's books.
Carlos Vélez is an award-winning children's illustrator from Mexico. Born and raised in Mexico City, he graduated from the Faculty of Arts and Design at the National Autonomous University of Mexico. Carlos is the illustrator of over twenty books for children including A Billion Balloons of Questions (Floris Books). He lives in Coyoacán, Mexico.
