A Parade for Sam

October 15, 2005
PreS-Gr. 2. Entranced by a carnival parade, Puppy Sam is sure she can do all the tricks, and she tries to join in with the band, the jugglers, the clowns, the dancers, and the trained dogs. Each time, she is told, "Parades are not for puppies," until, finally, someone lets her take part--and she ends up leading the way. The latest Puppy Sam book in the Kids Can Read series works equally well as a fun read-aloud for preschoolers and a beginning reader. Its short, simple sentences and bright, active pictures show the lure of the marching bands and the costumes. Many small spectators will recognize Sam's wish: "I do not want to watch the parade . . . I want to be IN the parade."(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2005, American Library Association.)