Sam Tells Stories

by Thierry Robberecht, Philippe Goossens (Illustrator)

This adorable character from SAM IS NEVER SCARED is back in another story preschoolers will identify with. Sam is so eager to make friends at his new school that he tells them a story that isn’t true. After all, he makes up bedtime stories for his little brother, who thinks Sam is the best storyteller ever! But when the truth catches up with him, Sam realizes the difference between telling a story and telling a lie—and he has to face his friends and tell them the truth.

Genres: Picture Books, Animals, Childrens

32 pages, Hardcover

First published July 16, 2007

Reviews

[Chance Lee · Rating 2 out of 5]

Sam is an adorable wolf pup (I think) who is also a damn liar. He lies to kids at school that is dad is an astronaut. He lies to his mom about how his clothes got dirty. And he lies to his brother when he tells him bedtime stories. By the end of the book, same learns the difference between "lies" and "stories." His school friends forgive him very quickly, and he never apologizes to his mom for lying and admits the truth.

[Joanne Roberts · Rating 4 out of 5]

Though this book has a moral, it is couched in a kid-friendly story with a realistic mc. His stories are actually lies. Sam doesn't escape the consequences at home or school, but he learns something wonderful about himself and his friends. Cute art with a lovely European vibe.

[Becca Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sam Tells Stories is a book about a dog named Sam and how he likes to tell extravagant stories about his life. The book begins with Sam starting his first day at a new school. He proceeds to tell the other kids that his Dad is an astronaut and flies to Mars often. The other kids find interest in Sam and the stories about his Dad, and they invite him to play soccer after school. When Sam gets home, his clothes are all dirty from soccer and his Mother is very upset. Sam tells her that the bigger kids got in a fight with him and ruined his clothing instead of telling her the truth. Sam’s Mom calls the teacher and this is when Sam knows he has to stop his lies and outrageous stories. The next day, Sam tells his friends at school that his Dad is not an astronaut and apologizes for his actions. The kids still invite him to play soccer and Sam notices how he is surrounded by great friends and everyone likes him for who he really is.

The lessons in Sam Tells Stories, were to tell the truth and to always be yourself. Sam realizes that his true friends will like him for who he is and he does not need to impress them in order to be friends with them.

When I was reading Sam Tells Stories, I found myself relating to Sam. There are times where I feel like I need to make up lies in order to feel accepted, but I feel guilty right after just like Sam does. The easy to read plot would be great for children to learn from and relate to.

I would definitely recommend this book because it teaches good lessons on being honest and self acceptance. The plot and how Thierry Robberecht tells the story of Sam, makes the book easy to follow along and relate to. I believe that kids would enjoy this book because it is relatable in the sense that oftentimes kids need the reassurance of friendship. Seeing how Sam learns his lesson of being himself after his lies will help children realize that you just have to be yourself and your true friends will love you for who you are.

[Madison Shiflett · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought that this story told a great lesson. It shows a little dog, Sam, who tells stories in attempt to make a lot of friends. Everyone believes his stories, and all want to become friends with him. He even begins telling stories at home, to his brother and his mother. Eventually Sam's stories get him into a bit of trouble, which makes him realize that he shouldn't keep telling stories. I think that this shows students a great lesson. It shows children that they don't have to be exciting to have friends. It also shows the importance of telling the truth to those you care about!

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sam wants so much to be liked that he tells lies about himself to seem cooler. Eventually, this catches up to him. The story is good and relatable, but it needs another spread or two at the end because he fesses up to his friends, but not his parents - there's never any consequence for his lies. Other than that, it's a great story. The illustrations are fun, too.

[Caitlin Olson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. I think it is geared towards kindergarteners. It can be used to talk about how important it is to tell the truth. It can also be used to talk about the sequence of stories. You could ask the students to tell you about the characters and what happens to them.

[Gerardo Mendoza-Tovar · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story is about a character named Sam. Sam is going to a new school and making new friends. He tells stories that aren't true to his friends because he wants to impress them. He also makes up lies when his telling bedtime stories to his younger brother and he also lies to his mother. At the end of the book, Sam realizes that he should stop lying and telling the truth.
With the illustrations and creative plot, this book is great for young students to read! The grade range for this book would be from K-4th grade. The book is great how it has the story first and the lesson of honesty in the background. I could use this in my classroom by having the students read the book and then give me examples of when they told a lie and then felt guilty about it. The book is very easy to read and the young readers shouldn't have any problem with reading it. The length of the book is also very short, so the young readers will have a less likely chance to get distracted and stop reading it.

Robberecht, T. (2007). Sam Tells Stories. New York, New York: Clarion Books.

[Rochelle Sondae · Rating 3 out of 5]

My three year old cousin is just beginning to put together little stories for his pictures and block building endeavors. It's pretty cool getting a glimpse into the workings of his developing thoughts of the world. Again he was interested in the names of all the items in the illustrations and wondered how I knew the dinosaur toy on the floor was the inspiration for the dragon on the playground. We had to count all the eyes on the aliens and give actual names to Sam's little brother, father and school mates. I'm ever so grateful that the books we read are merely on loan and I don't have to memorize all the characters attributes that we place on them. We'd have the most annotated picture book library in the county.

[Veronica]

I'm working on creating a booklist for my local public library. This book was one in consideration for this list.

I am going to add this book to my list. It doesn't have to do with manners necessarily, but between choosing the right thing and the wrong thing, it definitely gives a positive example. I think it was spot on in what it was going for, that it was focused securely on the idea of doing what was right, of being honest.

[Mandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sam is the new kid at school and wants everyone to like him, so he makes up stores about his dad. The stories don't stop there, and pretty soon Sam is telling stories to his family too. Sam wishes he had just been himself but worries if he is truthful if anyone will still like him.

[The Library Lady · Rating 2 out of 5]

There's a little bit too much message here about not telling lies. But there's also a nice ending--Sam learns the things he make up make good stories.

[Kate Hastings · Rating 3 out of 5]

Simple story that will be a good starting point for discussions about lying and exagerating or telling stories.

[Gretchen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Helps explain how telling stories can become lying if you don't let people know.

[Robin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Excellent tale about the perils of lying!

[Nesa · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a cute book that tries to introduce the consequences of lying. For the most part it works, but my biggest issue with it, is that the biggest "story" Sam that tells, is never resolved.