Number One Sam

by Greg Pizzoli

They're off! Sam is the best race-car driver in history—he is number one at every race! But when his best friend, Maggie, shows that she has racing talent of her own, Sam doesn't know how to handle coming in second place.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Storytime, Dogs, Animals, Friendship, Cars

40 pages, Paperback

First published May 13, 2014

About the author

Greg Pizzoli is the author and illustrator of The Watermelon Seed, winner of the Theodor Seuss Geisel Award, Number One Sam, Templeton Gets His Wish, Tricky Vic: The Impossibly True Story of the Man Who Sold the Eiffel Tower, and coming in April 2016, Good Night Owl. He lives in Philadelphia.

Reviews

[Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sam is used to winning, so it's a surprise when he learns that you don't have to win the race to pick up chicks!

[Abigail · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sam was number one! He was number one at speed, number one at taking turns, and number one at winning races. But when he unexpectedly lost to his friend Maggie, who displayed some driving skills of her own, he wasn't sure what to think or to do next. If he wasn't number one, what was he? Terribly nervous before the next race, Sam started out poorly but soon gained ground. Then a group of chicks wandered into his path and Sam was confronted with a choice: go around them and risk the other drivers not noticing the little birds, or stop and help them, thereby forfeiting the race...

An amusing tale of a little dog who experiences an existential crisis when he discovers that he can't always be the winner, Number One Sam offers a gentle lesson about what is truly important and what really makes someone number one. As with The Watermelon Seed , the first picture-book from author/artist Greg Pizzoli that I read, the artwork here is bold and bright, featuring vivid colors and a fun cartoon-like sensibility that works very well with the story. Recommended to anyone looking for picture-books about winning and losing, and about staying true to your own better nature.

[Melki · Rating 3 out of 5]

Love the funky artwork and the chicks wearing glasses!

[Kris · Rating 4 out of 5]

There is something so appealing about the art in this book, and Sam, who is a dog who is used to winning until he doesn't. He is relatable because he is not super happy and generous about it. But he's a good egg, as the rest of the book shows.

[Deb · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's better to be nice than first, even when you want to be first.

[Cindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Moral of the story is always do the right thing. I liked the book.

[Joan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a new title by this year's winner of the Geisel award. It has a charming message that small kids need to learn: that winning is not the most important goal in the world. Being kind is more important. Sam likes to win races. But then he loses one and is very disappointed. What should he do in the next race when he sees some chickens crossing the road? The joke will be there if adults want to tell kids but I doubt at the preschooler through first grade level that kids will pick up on the joke by themselves. BTW, no answer is given to the joke, it is just there as an extra laugh if a reader should notice it. Please note the characters waiting to start the race for old friends if you've read watermelon seed! Neat aside: I got this title at ALA and met the author and got an autograph. He seems so pleasant and happy to be there. Expect this author to become a perennial if you want my prediction.

[Kristen · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a great, straight-forward story about wanting to be "number one".

Sam is used to winning. When he comes in second place in the race, he feels crummy. So what happens in the next race? Sam stops to rescue little chicks on the race track, losing his first place spot, but getting cheers for being a good guy.

I love that one of the racers in this book is Crocodile from Pizzoli's award-winner THE WATERMELON SEED and Crocodile's car has a watermelon slice as his symbol.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sam, the race car driving dog, is used to being number one. When he loses to his best friend, Sam is shaken and fears losing the next race. But outside forces interfere with the race and Sam has to make a tough decision. Is winning really everything? A heartfelt picture book that captures the anxiety of competition and the joy of making the right decision. Great message! Also observant readers will appreciate the nod to Pizzoli's The Watermelon Seed.

[June · Rating 3 out of 5]

A dog finds out that there are more important things than winning. Useful, but a bit didactic.

[Becket · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the best, least didactic picture books I've read on winning, losing, confidence, and doing the right thing. Pizzoli nails it again.

[Maggi Rohde · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very effective easy reader deals with the experience of losing and making good decisions.

[Cosette · Rating 5 out of 5]

I keep thinking about this book - why is it so great? It is written simply with words that easily roll off the tongue as if you are racing as you read... until something changes... Genius.

[Jasmine (jasmine_reads) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sam loves being number one, but when he doesn't come in first place for the first time, it worries him and he can't seem to focus on his racing.

I'm actually glad that Sam didn't become a total jerk when he didn't come in first place. On the inside flap, it shows him mad that he didn't come in first, but throughout the book he isn't as mad at coming in second as he is confused by how he feels. A cute story that reminds young readers that there are other things more important than being in first place all the time.

[David]

I love the screen print style illustrations in this book. Pizzoli uses a strict color palette of 4 colors and layers them expertly to make sweet illustrations of the racers. The theme of not needing to win a race in order to be a winner is always great to reinforce. I do wish his text was a little snappier such as with rhymes or repetition but this book entertained my toddler and kept me wanting more with the awesome illustrations.

[Andrés · Rating 2 out of 5]

Had me in the first half! I was really looking forward to learning how Sam learned to cope with not being first all the time, full stop. That seems important, and I'd like to know the answer? I don't think winning / kind is always a trade off that kids face. Kids can win and be kind! Kids can come in second place...and be kind! The insertion of the ducks in distress felt convenient and saccharine and took the book a different direction than I had hoped.

[Sopana T · Rating 5 out of 5]

ชอบมาก เล่าเรื่องได้ดีมากเลย ตัวละครซึ่งเป็นคนเก่ง (ขับรถชนะตลอด) ต้องตัดสินใจหนักว่าจะเป็นเพื่อนที่ดี หรือจะลงแข่งแบบสุดฝีมือแทนดี ถ้าเป็นคนญี่ปุ่นบอกได้เลยว่าชาตินี้มีคติว่า เราจะต้องแสดงฝีมือเต็มที่ไม่มีออมมือให้คู่ต่อสู้ มันคือเกียรติแบบนึง แต่ในเมือคนไทยไม่ได้มี norm แบบนั้น เล่มนี้เด็กๆจึงอินกับการตั้งคำถามในใจตัวเองได้เต็มที่เลย สุดท้ายแล้วจบดีนะ ดีมาก

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sam is number one at racing and speed and turns. He is also number one in coming in the number one place in a race. That is until his best friend wins a race.

Good for preschool and toddler storytimes.

[Holly · Rating 4 out of 5]

You've always been #1 til your not! That's what happens in this book. Sam is always #1 until the day his best friend beats him for the #1 spot. How he handles it is very typical. I like the moral of this story, and my son likes all the cars! Great story.

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

The illustrations are simple, but really nice and go really well with the flow of the book. I loved the ending a lot. My heart was like awww, yasss! It made me smile and made me miss my friends. I felt like hugging the book.

[Ellon · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars (I liked it)

A cute book about dealing with the disappointment of losing and also about doing the right thing and how that can feel better than winning. Even so, not my favorite Pizzoli book.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sam is used to winning and doesn't know what to do when he doesn't win. Eventually he learns a valuable lesson about being a good guy, regardless of circumstance. a fun group read aloud with great illustrations.

[Jenn Swanson · Rating 4 out of 5]

My daughter and I enjoyed this story. It was simple and the illustrations were great. Would recommend.

[Angie · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Sam could steer around...but would the other racers see them in time?"

Things to Note:
-Concept: being a good citizen
-Simple text
-Winning isn't everything

[Mollie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really cute!

[Jess · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun, age appropriate story about winning, losing, and what matters to your friends.
I want to read everything Pizzoli writes.

[Richelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a good book that shows kids that you don't have to be #1 at things that the most important thing is to be a good friend.

[Suzie · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the cover illustration, I thought this book would be hokey, but the message and the way it’s presented on the pages was perfect!

[Kimberly Sabatini · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really wish I would have had this book for my boys. <3

[Denise · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute picture book that addresses not being able to win everytime, but looking on the bright side of it.