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CM . . .
. Volume X Number 8. . . . December 12, 2003
excerpt:
Earlier this year, Marie-Louise Gay, well-known author of the "Stella" series, published Good Morning Sam. This book, which starred Sam as the main character, has now been followed by the recently released Good Night Sam in which Stella's younger brother, Sam, is unable to fall asleep without his missing dog, Fred. As usual, Sam turns to his big sister for advice and comfort. Time after time, Stella suggests places that Fred might be found, but Sam is quick to point out why Fred would not be hiding there. For instance, when Stella wonders if Fred could be outside, Sam replies, "It's too dark outside. Fred is afraid of the dark." Together, Stella and Sam travel through their home searching for Fred, with Sam voicing his worries aloud and Stella providing reassurance. In the end, Fred is found where the story first began, under Sam's quilt.
Marie-Louise Gay's illustrations are appealing as ever. In Good Night Sam, her watercolour paintings contain a lot of blue/purple tones representing shadows and the evening light which are punctuated by Stella's and Sam's bright hair colours and clothing. The result is a pleasing contrast. Readers will enjoy the fact that Fred subtly appears in the illustrations throughout the story and will have fun finding him once they catch on. In short, if children and adults have enjoyed the Sam and Stella "recipe"of questions, answers and gentle humour in the past, they will certainly appreciate this latest title as well. Recommended. Lisa Sykes has worked as an early years teacher and teacher-librarian. She resides with her family in Anten Mills, ON.
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Readers familiar with earlier titles from Marie-Louise Gay will immediately recognize the brother and sister team of Stella and Sam. The story's dialogue highlights Sam's preschool personality and Stella's more sophisticated big sister role. In Good Night Sam, Fred the dog allows Sam to communicate his own fears and insecurities concerning bedtime, something to which young readers will relate. There is also an established pattern to their conversation that makes it easy for children to anticipate Sam's reactions to Stella's suggestions. However, this also makes the plot rather predictable. Humour is added to the story through Sam's more literal thinking when it comes to counting sheep or getting up with the birds.