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Sam and Emma.
While Sam, the dog, tries to explain that everyone should be allowed their own way of doing things, Emma, the cat, can only scoff at the animals they meet during their walk through the woods.
- GenresPicture BooksChildrens
40 pages, Hardcover
First published April 1, 1971
29 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
October 21, 2016
1.5ish stars.
An old-fashioned sort of picture book with a particularly preachy message that still doesn't quite hit home. The cadence of the rhyming was inconsistent and I can tell that it would be awkward to read aloud, not knowing which lines were supposed to rhyme and which ones weren't. Some rhyming pairs were embedded in the middle of a line, some ended on the next page and many lines didn't have a rhyming pair at all. I'm kind of a snob with children's books expecting them to rhyme, so at least try to have some semblance of consistency or predictability! That's one of the ways kids gain phonological awareness- hearing repetitious phrases and learning to recognize rhyming pairs.
The intended message was honorable in theory but sort of a dud in execution. There's a bigoted cat who is friends with a dog who is kind and respectful to other animals. The dog tries to teach the cat that it's okay to have differences and just because someone isn't like you doesn't mean they're any better or worse. The cat continues to act like a douche to the dog and the other animals and eventually decides that if it's okay for other animals to be different, then it's okay for her to continue being herself: a douchey, hateful, judgmental cat. Not quite the message I was expecting.
The illustrations were cute and simple in a retro kind of way (book was originally published in 1971) with a palatable watercolored look. There's really nothing dynamic about the characters, though, and their expressions are unchangeable whether the text describes them as happy, sad, frustrated, or psychotically self-absorbed (I read between the lines there). Not something I would select or recommend for classroom or personal use.
Illustrations: 2
Text: 1.5
An old-fashioned sort of picture book with a particularly preachy message that still doesn't quite hit home. The cadence of the rhyming was inconsistent and I can tell that it would be awkward to read aloud, not knowing which lines were supposed to rhyme and which ones weren't. Some rhyming pairs were embedded in the middle of a line, some ended on the next page and many lines didn't have a rhyming pair at all. I'm kind of a snob with children's books expecting them to rhyme, so at least try to have some semblance of consistency or predictability! That's one of the ways kids gain phonological awareness- hearing repetitious phrases and learning to recognize rhyming pairs.
The intended message was honorable in theory but sort of a dud in execution. There's a bigoted cat who is friends with a dog who is kind and respectful to other animals. The dog tries to teach the cat that it's okay to have differences and just because someone isn't like you doesn't mean they're any better or worse. The cat continues to act like a douche to the dog and the other animals and eventually decides that if it's okay for other animals to be different, then it's okay for her to continue being herself: a douchey, hateful, judgmental cat. Not quite the message I was expecting.
The illustrations were cute and simple in a retro kind of way (book was originally published in 1971) with a palatable watercolored look. There's really nothing dynamic about the characters, though, and their expressions are unchangeable whether the text describes them as happy, sad, frustrated, or psychotically self-absorbed (I read between the lines there). Not something I would select or recommend for classroom or personal use.
Illustrations: 2
Text: 1.5
December 23, 2017
[This story was first published in 1971, so I think we’re past the “spoiler” stage.]
Rarely do I have such a negative reaction to a children's story, but here it is...
The core message of this story (at least for the majority of it) was a good one. But I definitely had some issues with it, overall.
Emma, a proud, self-absorbed cat, is essentially ignorant to others around her and is put off by the differences that she observes. She doesn’t even know what some of the animals are, but she knows she doesn’t like them, because they’re not like her.
Sam, a very patient and kind dog, is trying to open Emma’s eyes to the fact that our differences don’t make us bad, weird, wrong, etc. – just, well, different. We can learn something from others who are different from us. We shouldn’t expect others to try to be like us because there is nothing to indicate that we are right and they are wrong. For all we know, they may think the exact same thing about us.
In short, tolerance and a willingness to embrace diversity are very important life skills! This story could have ended with a great lesson, but fell short in a major way, in my opinion.
As the story concludes, Emma tells Sam that she is learning a lesson but that he needs to accept her ways, as well. And herein lies one of the problems with this story – being tolerant of various aspects of a person’s personality is so very important and accepting others regardless of differences is also crucial to our growth as humans. But the idea of accepting someone’s racist views and bigoted thinking, as just being part of who they are – these are the kinds of things that cannot be tolerated. It reminded me, somewhat, of Harper Lee’s “Go Set a Watchman”, which disappointed me, greatly. Hate cannot be tolerated or accepted in any story, let alone a children’s story. I do not think that we should ever be willing to say, “Oh that’s just how that person is” when it comes to cruelty, discrimination, and inequality. No one gets a pass on that – not even a cute cat, wearing a string of pearls.
Prejudiced thinking conveys a completely different state of mind than someone saying, “Oh I like onions, but you don’t, and that’s equally OK.”
I also had difficulty with the cadence of this story – it tried to rhyme in some sections, but didn’t try at all, in others. Are you going to deliver your story in rhyme? Are you not going to rhyme? I think this story needed to pick one. Otherwise, I spent the entire story reading it incorrectly.
Since it was first published several decades ago, I don’t see it being changed, now, however.
Unfortunately, this is not one that I would select for my class.
Rarely do I have such a negative reaction to a children's story, but here it is...
The core message of this story (at least for the majority of it) was a good one. But I definitely had some issues with it, overall.
Emma, a proud, self-absorbed cat, is essentially ignorant to others around her and is put off by the differences that she observes. She doesn’t even know what some of the animals are, but she knows she doesn’t like them, because they’re not like her.
Sam, a very patient and kind dog, is trying to open Emma’s eyes to the fact that our differences don’t make us bad, weird, wrong, etc. – just, well, different. We can learn something from others who are different from us. We shouldn’t expect others to try to be like us because there is nothing to indicate that we are right and they are wrong. For all we know, they may think the exact same thing about us.
In short, tolerance and a willingness to embrace diversity are very important life skills! This story could have ended with a great lesson, but fell short in a major way, in my opinion.
As the story concludes, Emma tells Sam that she is learning a lesson but that he needs to accept her ways, as well. And herein lies one of the problems with this story – being tolerant of various aspects of a person’s personality is so very important and accepting others regardless of differences is also crucial to our growth as humans. But the idea of accepting someone’s racist views and bigoted thinking, as just being part of who they are – these are the kinds of things that cannot be tolerated. It reminded me, somewhat, of Harper Lee’s “Go Set a Watchman”, which disappointed me, greatly. Hate cannot be tolerated or accepted in any story, let alone a children’s story. I do not think that we should ever be willing to say, “Oh that’s just how that person is” when it comes to cruelty, discrimination, and inequality. No one gets a pass on that – not even a cute cat, wearing a string of pearls.
Prejudiced thinking conveys a completely different state of mind than someone saying, “Oh I like onions, but you don’t, and that’s equally OK.”
I also had difficulty with the cadence of this story – it tried to rhyme in some sections, but didn’t try at all, in others. Are you going to deliver your story in rhyme? Are you not going to rhyme? I think this story needed to pick one. Otherwise, I spent the entire story reading it incorrectly.
Since it was first published several decades ago, I don’t see it being changed, now, however.
Unfortunately, this is not one that I would select for my class.
July 14, 2016
I liked most of the book, specially the way Sam tries to show Emma how every animal is different, and eat different things, like different places, etc. But I felt disappointed at the end, since Emma doesn't really seem to have learned it. :(
I received this copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I received this copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
September 3, 2016
"Sam and Emma lived quite content
in a house
with a garden
where they didn't pay rent."
Thus begins this charming tale of two friends that spend a day travelling together and discover what each is really like. Sam is a dog who is gentle and kind while Emma, a cat, always has herself on her mind with little attention towards or consideration for others.
The first creatures that they encounter are some beavers hard at work building a dam across a brook.
"Aren't they ugly?" shrieked Emma as she put up her nose - and her tail. Sam went over to them and started a conversation asking permission to watch them work for a while. When he introduces Emma to the beaver workforce she manages a cool smile and decides right then and there that they are not her kind of animal.
The beavers get it and with a knowing smile ask if the two would like to join them for lunch. Oh boy, Sam is totally delighted and accepts their friendly invitation right away, while Emma through gritted teeth, hesitantly agrees. The beavers dispense grace as they head upstream to catch fresh trout for their outdoor picnic. Sam tucks in heartily but Emma upturns her nose even more refusing the fish as she is always served fish out of "nice little tins and neatly arranged". Oh my, how rude! After they depart company Emma says loudly to Sam:
"Oh my lands!
Weren't they dreadful!
And so ugly!"
Well the rest of the trip doesn't get any better because Emma expels the same snooty attitude when she comes across two porcupines climbing down from a tree, two raccoons out in the bright daylight trying trying to make their way home to sleep, and an inverted opossum just dangling from a tree sound asleep. Emma cuts deeply into Sam's heart when she remarks that the racoons are crazy and lazy to sleep away their day and blurts out a cruel remark regarding their living quarters, an old hollowed out log:
"How disgusting!" said Emma.
not even a dog would live like that."
Oh my! Emma crosses the line. What a careless and hurtful thing to say to her dog -friend Sam. He is terribly upset with her barage of criticism about everyone, even him.
He feels obligated then to point out the error of her ways and tell her that everyone is different and do not want to be like her. He goes on to state that she must allow others to be themselves and to leave them alone. It's not a bad plan at all.
When they finally arrive home Sam hopes that Emma has learned a valuable lesson about tolerance and embracing those not like her.
What do you think? Do you think Emma will reflect on her day and change her attitude? Will Emma learn that words are powerful and their meaning go deep into hearts? We all can learn a very valuable lesson from this book... think before you speak and wrap your words in kindness. Speak about others as you would like them to speak about you.
I loved the message of the book and the illustrations drove the message home. It is perfect conversation starter regarding manners, etiquette, kindness and tolerance. I highly recommend it.
in a house
with a garden
where they didn't pay rent."
Thus begins this charming tale of two friends that spend a day travelling together and discover what each is really like. Sam is a dog who is gentle and kind while Emma, a cat, always has herself on her mind with little attention towards or consideration for others.
The first creatures that they encounter are some beavers hard at work building a dam across a brook.
"Aren't they ugly?" shrieked Emma as she put up her nose - and her tail. Sam went over to them and started a conversation asking permission to watch them work for a while. When he introduces Emma to the beaver workforce she manages a cool smile and decides right then and there that they are not her kind of animal.
The beavers get it and with a knowing smile ask if the two would like to join them for lunch. Oh boy, Sam is totally delighted and accepts their friendly invitation right away, while Emma through gritted teeth, hesitantly agrees. The beavers dispense grace as they head upstream to catch fresh trout for their outdoor picnic. Sam tucks in heartily but Emma upturns her nose even more refusing the fish as she is always served fish out of "nice little tins and neatly arranged". Oh my, how rude! After they depart company Emma says loudly to Sam:
"Oh my lands!
Weren't they dreadful!
And so ugly!"
Well the rest of the trip doesn't get any better because Emma expels the same snooty attitude when she comes across two porcupines climbing down from a tree, two raccoons out in the bright daylight trying trying to make their way home to sleep, and an inverted opossum just dangling from a tree sound asleep. Emma cuts deeply into Sam's heart when she remarks that the racoons are crazy and lazy to sleep away their day and blurts out a cruel remark regarding their living quarters, an old hollowed out log:
"How disgusting!" said Emma.
not even a dog would live like that."
Oh my! Emma crosses the line. What a careless and hurtful thing to say to her dog -friend Sam. He is terribly upset with her barage of criticism about everyone, even him.
He feels obligated then to point out the error of her ways and tell her that everyone is different and do not want to be like her. He goes on to state that she must allow others to be themselves and to leave them alone. It's not a bad plan at all.
When they finally arrive home Sam hopes that Emma has learned a valuable lesson about tolerance and embracing those not like her.
What do you think? Do you think Emma will reflect on her day and change her attitude? Will Emma learn that words are powerful and their meaning go deep into hearts? We all can learn a very valuable lesson from this book... think before you speak and wrap your words in kindness. Speak about others as you would like them to speak about you.
I loved the message of the book and the illustrations drove the message home. It is perfect conversation starter regarding manners, etiquette, kindness and tolerance. I highly recommend it.
July 23, 2016
* About the art:
The artwork is ok.. not my favourite style since it's a little old -fashioned, on the realistic-side, not very cartoony, and a little dull in terms of compositions - it's not a very creative design. The characters aren't very expressive - they always seem to have exactly the same cheerful smile on their faces, even when they're meant to be upset, or are about to be eaten, or when they're being snide.
* About the text:
The text is sometimes rhyming, sometimes not - a slightly strange mix of styles. I feel like the text could have been arranged better to highlight some of the rhymes which get lost a little because of the flowing layout of the text which doesn't place the rhyming word at the end of the line.
* About the story:
It's about a cat and a dog who go for a walk in the woods and come across all sorts of animals they've never met before. The cat, Emma is really mean about all of them whilst the dog, Sam tries to tell her to not be so mean and judgy of people. He's quite light in telling her this though, so by the end it feels like she didn't really learn anything. Similarly I feel like the lesson isn't really a very strong one for the readers either. The main strong message that comes across is how mean the cat is!
* Overall:
A very mediocre story with mediocre artwork. I wouldn't really recommend it- there are far better picture books out there.
I was kindly given a copy of this book for honest reviewing purposes.
The artwork is ok.. not my favourite style since it's a little old -fashioned, on the realistic-side, not very cartoony, and a little dull in terms of compositions - it's not a very creative design. The characters aren't very expressive - they always seem to have exactly the same cheerful smile on their faces, even when they're meant to be upset, or are about to be eaten, or when they're being snide.
* About the text:
The text is sometimes rhyming, sometimes not - a slightly strange mix of styles. I feel like the text could have been arranged better to highlight some of the rhymes which get lost a little because of the flowing layout of the text which doesn't place the rhyming word at the end of the line.
* About the story:
It's about a cat and a dog who go for a walk in the woods and come across all sorts of animals they've never met before. The cat, Emma is really mean about all of them whilst the dog, Sam tries to tell her to not be so mean and judgy of people. He's quite light in telling her this though, so by the end it feels like she didn't really learn anything. Similarly I feel like the lesson isn't really a very strong one for the readers either. The main strong message that comes across is how mean the cat is!
* Overall:
A very mediocre story with mediocre artwork. I wouldn't really recommend it- there are far better picture books out there.
I was kindly given a copy of this book for honest reviewing purposes.
July 24, 2016
'Sam and Emma' by Donald Nelsen caught my eye because the illustrations are by Edward Gorey. I ended up liking the message of the story.
Sam is a dog, and Emma is a cat. When they decide to travel one day, they meet a group of beavers building a dam. While Emma thinks they are ugly, Sam is already introducing himself. They join them for lunch and Emma sniffs at the food she is offered. Sam likes to meet new people and Emma is always critical of them. Through a couple more encounters we see this, but Emma starts to see things like Sam does. Every creature is different and wants to be that way.
The lesson of the book is still relevant today. Not too bad for a book written in 1971. The illustrations by Edward Gorey are so unlike what he is best known for, but they are cute and quite charming. The story is told in a sort of rhyming meter that just doesn't seem to rhyme most of the time. I'm glad I got to read this ebook.
I received a review copy of this ebook from Dover Publications and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this ebook.
Sam is a dog, and Emma is a cat. When they decide to travel one day, they meet a group of beavers building a dam. While Emma thinks they are ugly, Sam is already introducing himself. They join them for lunch and Emma sniffs at the food she is offered. Sam likes to meet new people and Emma is always critical of them. Through a couple more encounters we see this, but Emma starts to see things like Sam does. Every creature is different and wants to be that way.
The lesson of the book is still relevant today. Not too bad for a book written in 1971. The illustrations by Edward Gorey are so unlike what he is best known for, but they are cute and quite charming. The story is told in a sort of rhyming meter that just doesn't seem to rhyme most of the time. I'm glad I got to read this ebook.
I received a review copy of this ebook from Dover Publications and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this ebook.
July 2, 2016
This simple story had a very clear message. We are all different, we live in different places, eat different foods, look different etc. but there is beauty in everyone/everything. We need to look for it and accept the differences. Sam the dog was kind and wanted to know about others. Emma was proud and somewhat rigid and unaccepting. Sam needs to convince her to be more kind and considerate and accept other's differences. She is willing to try, but wants to be accepted for what she is as well. A simple plot with very simple illustrations that convey the message of the book clearly. A great book to have in school libraries and classrooms. Definitely the opportunity to discuss these issues is often needed in school environments.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
July 7, 2016
Sam and Emma by Donald Nelsen is a cute story with a simple yet direct message. The message simply is; we are different. We live different lives, live in different places, eat different foods, and look different. While we are all different, it is important to accept all the differences.
This is a story about Sam and dog and Emma the cat. Sam is is kind dog who wanted to get to know about others. Emma was proud and while she is the one who wanted to go on the adventure was unaccepting.
This is a book about accepting others for who they are. The illustrations are simple but convey the message clearly. I would love to have this book in my classroom to teach about understanding and welcoming all views and thoughts.
I received a copy of this book from Dover Publications via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
This is a story about Sam and dog and Emma the cat. Sam is is kind dog who wanted to get to know about others. Emma was proud and while she is the one who wanted to go on the adventure was unaccepting.
This is a book about accepting others for who they are. The illustrations are simple but convey the message clearly. I would love to have this book in my classroom to teach about understanding and welcoming all views and thoughts.
I received a copy of this book from Dover Publications via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
August 6, 2016
I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley. I was not compensated in any other fashion for the review and the opinions reflected below are entirely my own. Special thanks to the publisher and author for providing the copy.
Sam and Emma are a dog and a cat who live together. One day Emma wants to go on a trip outside so Sam joins along. Along the way, they encounter various other animals. Emma is very judgmental while Sam tries to be kind and encourages Emma to look at things from a different perspective. This is a very good book for teaching children about differences and reserving judgment. I also loved the message at the end, that Sam also has to be understanding of Emma while she tries to alter her perspective to be more accepting. In this day and age, this book is full of messages we should all instill in our children and selves.
Sam and Emma are a dog and a cat who live together. One day Emma wants to go on a trip outside so Sam joins along. Along the way, they encounter various other animals. Emma is very judgmental while Sam tries to be kind and encourages Emma to look at things from a different perspective. This is a very good book for teaching children about differences and reserving judgment. I also loved the message at the end, that Sam also has to be understanding of Emma while she tries to alter her perspective to be more accepting. In this day and age, this book is full of messages we should all instill in our children and selves.
October 18, 2020
The more I think about it, the less I like it. Way more time is spent with Emma expressing her bigotry than with Sam expressing his friendliness. And I really don't like clothing on animals, even if it is the choice of Edward Gorey.
January 12, 2009
Another one of my favorite books from childhood. Thanks, Mom. :)
April 9, 2014
A long-time favorite Chez Coyne
May 29, 2020
Good book with a good message of accepting that all are different in their own ways
Thanks to netgalley
Thanks to netgalley
January 17, 2021
I read this in the German translation. Apart from the blatant and very rude anti-cat propaganda the rhymed verses and the whole story, actually, were very clumsy. The only thing going for it were the Gorey illustrations.
September 23, 2017
I liked the Edward Gorey illustrations but Emma is quite horrible and xenophobic and Sam is way too good for her. I was a bit put off by the erratic rhyming.
February 20, 2020
I love the Illustrator
Want to read
April 18, 2021Note: I received a digital review copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.
August 14, 2016
Sam, a dog, and Emma, a cat, live at a nice house and have nice, fancy things. One day they decide to go exploring, and along the way encounter other animals. Emma dislikes them all, though Sam is friendly and tries to find the best in everyone they meet.
This is obviously supposed to a tale of moral example, yet I think it falls short, because in my opinion Emma didn’t really learn any lessons and is just as “catty” (see what I did there??) at the end of the story as she is at the beginning.
The text is mostly in verse, yet sometimes it seems like there is no rhyme or reason (again? I’m on a roll today) to some of the verses. The rhythm is not clear enough to make this easy to read with the “sing-songy” voice one normally uses when reading children’s books aloud.
As for the illustrations, they are rather cute. I especially love how Emma the cat is wearing a necklace, and the beavers appear to be wearing swimming trunks.
I would not go out of my way to recommend this book, but I would not dissuade anyone from reading it, either.
This ebook was given to me by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This is obviously supposed to a tale of moral example, yet I think it falls short, because in my opinion Emma didn’t really learn any lessons and is just as “catty” (see what I did there??) at the end of the story as she is at the beginning.
The text is mostly in verse, yet sometimes it seems like there is no rhyme or reason (again? I’m on a roll today) to some of the verses. The rhythm is not clear enough to make this easy to read with the “sing-songy” voice one normally uses when reading children’s books aloud.
As for the illustrations, they are rather cute. I especially love how Emma the cat is wearing a necklace, and the beavers appear to be wearing swimming trunks.
I would not go out of my way to recommend this book, but I would not dissuade anyone from reading it, either.
This ebook was given to me by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
July 23, 2016
It's nice to have this little book in print, even if it's not exactly great. It has a simplistic 'respect-our-differences' moral, thumped into you by a bigot cat, who lives with a calmer, more accepting dog. The artwork (most of the reason for me to be here looking at it) was reasonable enough, although certainly not Gorey's best efforts. What provided the greatest hiccups to me, and the deepest furrows on my brow, were the half-hearted effort to sustain, and to convey, the rhyming scheme. Most of the time we're in bouncy couplets, but the rhyme can be buried within a line, and so hidden at first, or even on the following page, which, added to a lot of the book that could just as well be straight prose, doesn't work. Still, there's no changing this 1970s text – so it's take it or leave it, I'm afraid. Much like our differences.
December 14, 2016
This story was simple in illustration and plot, but it's simplicity had a sort of sweet elegance about it. I enjoyed the message; that we are all different and there is beauty in that. Sam was kind, and Emma was proud. Sometimes in life, it takes that other half to balance us out and make us the best versions of ourselves; whether it's a husband, a wife, or just a friend. I would recommend this book.
July 17, 2016
Sam, a dog, and Emma, a cat, go exploring the woods around them. Sam is accepting of other creatures, but Emma rushes to judgement and says whatever comes to mind. Sam tries to help her understand that everyone is different.
Good story to discuss the differences between people and the pictures are fun. For ages 5 and up.
Good story to discuss the differences between people and the pictures are fun. For ages 5 and up.
July 1, 2016
I enjoyed this book. The story was simple in the way it was told and the plot was illustrated in just the right way. The message of the book is great - we are all different in our own ways - highly recommended and ideal for the target audience.
July 7, 2016
This book is copyrighted 1971. The lesson in this story is extremely important even today. Probably more so. One thing that I do mind is the rhymes that do not flow in a nice cadence. I tried to ignore them but it's pretty hard.
December 11, 2014
This book left me rather uncomfortable! It's remarkable to see how children's books have changed through the years. Overall, Gorey's illustrations make the book and are fantastic.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews