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The Line Up Book

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"Lunch!" Sam heard his mother calling. But Sam was very busy. "Just a minute," he called back. Sam wasn't ready in a minute. Sam's mother was about to lose her patience, but when she saw what Sam had been doing, all was forgiven.An ingenous first picture book with bold, brilliant illustrations.

24 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1986

57 people want to read

About the author

Marisabina Russo

44 books13 followers

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5 stars
21 (21%)
4 stars
24 (24%)
3 stars
36 (36%)
2 stars
15 (15%)
1 star
2 (2%)
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
Profile Image for Rose Rosetree.
Author 15 books477 followers
January 25, 2025
Little Sam has a very good mother. She let's him learn and create.

At any age, haven't we been there?

As described on the inside front flap of this adorable picture book:

"Lunch!" Sam heard his mother calling. But Sam was very busy. "Just a minute," he called back. Sam wasn't ready in a minute. Sam's mother was about to lose her patience, but when she saw what Sam had been doing, all was forgiven.

If you're like me, Goodreaders, you'll love it when Sam lies down on the floor with his hands over his head.

FIVE STARS of wonderfulness.

Profile Image for Pam.
9,890 reviews55 followers
August 9, 2017
A little boy stalls when mom calls him to lunch. He chooses to use all of his toys to build a line from his room to the kitchen instead of coming right away.
Profile Image for Angela.
1,358 reviews27 followers
June 1, 2021
This was my kiddo for a spell. Everything got lined up, especially the cars.
Profile Image for Lindsey.
132 reviews2 followers
March 3, 2022
In a rather sweet turn of events, Cecily chose this book (baby's first library choice). Little could she know, it's one JoJo picked out a few years back. And it still delights.
Profile Image for Becca.
93 reviews2 followers
April 8, 2011
Sam is playing alone at home and uses his imagination to get from his room to the kitchen. All the while, his mother is asking him to come in for lunch, and he disobeys, in a way. He finally reaches her in the kitchen, only after taking his own time while he lines up all sorts of items until he reaches the kitchen. The story shows that you should listen to your parent when they ask you to do something, along with the message that you can have fun on your own with items around the house. I wouldn't recommend this one to teach any major lessons or concepts, but it is a cute read.
20 reviews2 followers
June 6, 2011
This text could be utilized by teachers of young students, as a precursor to measurement. This cute story will get young students excited about creating lines with various objects, to make it from/connect one spot to another, which I would suggest practicing after reading this book. A teacher could even tie estimation into this lesson, by having students estimate how many objects it will take for the class to make it to the door of the classroom, prior to measuring it.
100 reviews2 followers
April 23, 2012
This is an excellent book to address several different concepts. This book could be read on the first day of school to introduce to young students what a straight line is supposed to look like (for when they line up to go down the hall). This could also be used to start a conversation on what exactly a minute is, and then challenge the students to form a straight line in a minute.
20 reviews
July 5, 2012
This book would be a good book to teach sorting, measuring and estimation. A teacher could tie estimation into this lesson, by having students estimate how many feet it will take for one of to make it to the door of the classroom. Also, this book can be used to teach "time" through by disccsion about "a minute".
Profile Image for Katie O'Toole.
20 reviews2 followers
July 16, 2012
After reading this book my class would make a trail of various items across the classroom. For instance, we may line up a trail of books, then a trail of shoes, and last a trail of students in the class. We would count how many of each item it took to measure the length of the room and record the data.
Profile Image for Sophia Martin.
64 reviews
February 19, 2013
Sam's mother continuously calls him down to eat, but all Sam wants to do is find different things and objects that can begin at his room and end at the kitchen. This book can be used with young students when introduced the concept of a ine and what a line is. It can also be used for sorting (because of all the objects Sam used).
Profile Image for Libby.
454 reviews
April 7, 2010
My 19-mo-old son requests this, but quickly gets bored if you actually read the story. He just likes naming at all the objects that get lined up. I think the story is kind of fun, but nothing extremely memorable.
Profile Image for Tricia.
2,669 reviews
November 8, 2010
While Sam's mother calls him to lunch, he creates a line of objects from his room to the kitchen. My audience enjoyed seeing what he would use next to create the line. This book has a very calming tone...even with his mother scolds him oh-so-gently at the end, it's reassuring somehow.
Profile Image for Samantha.
242 reviews12 followers
April 4, 2011
Sam creates a line of things (including himself) from his room to the kitchen. The book shows a lot of different objects being lined up. It's a cute book. Also, it shows a good mom who shows discipline as well as kindness and compassion.
100 reviews
November 13, 2012
I would keep this book in the classroom to help my students to begin thinking about the math concept of geometry. This story focuses on a straight line, which is also a main concept in geometry. I would use this book with lower level elementary students.
Profile Image for Nancy.
80 reviews
July 14, 2016
A lovely look into the thinking of a young boy. Have read this many times to many preschoolers! Can bring about great discussions in group time. As well as the possibility of a classroom book. "Today we read "The Line Up Book". I would put ___________ in my line." with illustrations.
Profile Image for Petra X.
2,460 reviews35.8k followers
May 6, 2015
This is a lovely book to read to a child. Be warned though - it would inevitably lead to having line up together immediately (what fun!)
Profile Image for Michaela.
100 reviews
November 25, 2011
This book is great to use when teaching non standard units of measurement. Shows how children can measure things using everyday objects in their lives.
100 reviews1 follower
April 10, 2012
Teachers can read this book to students to teach them their ordinal numbers. What did Sam line up first, second...? Good for grades K-2.
99 reviews
Read
April 19, 2012
This book provides a good activity for K-1st. Students can learn measurement and estimation and use things in their classroom to make lines.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews

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