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4.15 AVERAGE
4.15 AVERAGE
Maybe I didn't get it, but I felt there was a lot of missed potential for this story.
Age: Preschool-2nd grade
I can see a crowd of kids slapping their palms to their foreheads as these two well-meaning boys try to dig for treasure while always just missing treasure by doubting themselves and veering course. At least the dog got his bone. The ending is also a silly puzzler. Throughout the book, you kinda wonder how they are going to climb back up but and a very direct, no nonsense answer is given--they fall back to Earth. Duh.
I can see a crowd of kids slapping their palms to their foreheads as these two well-meaning boys try to dig for treasure while always just missing treasure by doubting themselves and veering course. At least the dog got his bone. The ending is also a silly puzzler. Throughout the book, you kinda wonder how they are going to climb back up but and a very direct, no nonsense answer is given--they fall back to Earth. Duh.
I wouldn't say that Sam and Dave Dig a Hole has the most exquisite illustrations of any children's book from 2014. However, these are some of the most entertaining illustrations I've seen recently, and they hold their own, not really needing the story to compliment them. Perhaps these are the qualities that earned it a Caldecott Honors, rather than the Medal in full. I laughed out loud numerous times, and entertained the idea of owning a copy.
Sam and Dave decide to dig a hole. As they dig they get discouraged about not finding something spectacular, so they change course. The reader is aware that with every change they are actually just missing something pretty great. They continue to dig until something spectacular happens to them.
Simple illustrations add to the somewhat simple storyline. The twist ending asks readers to be aware of differences, an added surprise to this already endearing story.
Simple illustrations add to the somewhat simple storyline. The twist ending asks readers to be aware of differences, an added surprise to this already endearing story.
6/6/2019: Okay, I sold this book short and didn't realize it until the end of storytime today when one of the moms asked, "Is the tree different?" and we realized that Sam & Dave had ended up in a parallel dimension where their house, tree, and even their cat were different.
10/22/2016: A dull tale about two people digging for something spectacular, yet they keep changing course and missing great treasures. The end is absurd and the book leaves no lasting impact. The book is a nice diversion, if only because of Klassen's illustrations. 1-star for the story, +2 for the art. (3 stars)
10/22/2016: A dull tale about two people digging for something spectacular, yet they keep changing course and missing great treasures. The end is absurd and the book leaves no lasting impact. The book is a nice diversion, if only because of Klassen's illustrations. 1-star for the story, +2 for the art. (3 stars)
Visually, this is really cool. Mac Barnett is quickly becoming one of my favorite children's authors, and he teams up with author/illustrator extraordinaire Jon Klassen for this book. I did feel that the nifty minimalist illustrations overpowered the equally minimalist language.
Probably better for an older audience, who can make inferences about what Sam and Dave might be missing.
Probably better for an older audience, who can make inferences about what Sam and Dave might be missing.
Barnett, Mac. Sam and Dave Dig a Hole. Candlewick, 2014.
Sam and Dave decide to dig a hole in their backyard, and they are determined to dig until they find something spectacular.
This book is completely adorable. Klassen's illustrations - similar to those in Extra Yarn, I Want My Hat Back, and others, are simple, yet perfectly suited to the story. Sam and Dave pass by several jewels, each getting larger and larger, and their dog notices what is going on but is unable to convince them to dig differently. In the end, they fall out of the end of the hole and return to their own yard. This simple story will keep kids interested in what will happen and frustrated at Sam and Dave for missing all of the obvious jewels. This would make a great read-aloud book for a story time or a read-alike recommendation for other Barnett and Klassen collaborations.
I am a huge fan of Mac Barnett and Jon Klassen collaborations. The writing is clever and funny, and I love the whimsy that gets infused into every scene.