Look and wonder with ‘Sam Vole and his Brothers’

 

Sam Vole and his Brothers by Martin Waddell and Barbara Firth (Walker Books 1992) | Illustration © 1992 by Barbara Firth

 

“A healthy and happy childhood spills over with wonder and imagination, for the simple reason that through the eyes of a child, beauty is abundant and mystery is everywhere.”

— Brian ZahndI’m taking part in an online creative writing course this month.

One of our assignments was to dig deep into our senses and observe the world around us. Here’s a sample of what I wrote from the woodland floor:

 

I roll over onto my front now. It annoys me that to see anything close with clarity, I have to put on my specs. They reveal a tiny snail shell, barely 5mm across.

…I push my nose into the soft flannel of damp moss. Is this what frogs smell like? 

To my left, caught in a praise position, lies a dead woodlouse. It forms a perfect C, and its underbelly is exposed.

It doesn’t matter anymore. He’s dead like the snail, whose shell lies empty.

Don’t bother knocking. Nobody’s at home.

 

Lying there, down in the leaf litter, I felt alive. 

And I thought of Sam Vole.

 Sam Vole and his Brothers by Martin Waddell and Barbara Firth (Walker Books 1992) was a favourite read when my two boys were young. 

Sam Vole had big brothers, Arthur and Henry.

Sam wanted to do things all by himself, but wherever he went his brothers went too.

 

This is an interesting spin on so many picture books: Usually, it is the smallest sibling who follows (and pesters) the elder. Here it’s the other way round! It’s a lovely touch and speaks warmly of the protective nature of so many older siblings.

The story continues:

 

I’m going voling for nuts,” Sam told his mother. “I’m going voling all by myself.”

 

I love the fact that Waddell indulged in a bit of creative play and turned the noun ‘vole’ into a verb. Some readers have criticised him for it (‘[it] struck me as really odd and became distracting’). But it doesn’t jar with me one bit! (In fact, we adopted the word, and would often go out and about voling, to see what we could find.)

Unfortunately for poor Sam, his big brothers always accompany him on his voling expeditions to find something for Mother. And they always return with ‘enough for them all.’ 

I’m sure many younger siblings will relate to Sam’s dilemma - there’s always someone else who can do something faster, bigger, better.

(Which raises philosophical questions like, What is my purpose?)

There’s a real warmth to the simple storyline. But it’s the illustrations that really captivates me!

Firth captures so much personality in her drawings. (I especially love the image of Sam, striding back to Mother with pride, a cobnut under each arm.)

Sam Vole may be a simple story - but it is a powerful lesson in mindfulness, developing our observational skills - and connecting with nature. And for me, that is its most significant gift. By presenting a wonderful vole’s eye-view of life below our feet, Firth encourages us to lay on our bellies and look - really look. Her attention to detail is exquisite, with each page packed full of hidden treasure:

Sturdy toadstool tables, acorn cups and nutshells dishes;

Mushroom recliners, leafy bedspreads and a bottle top mirror.

And yes - lots and lots of tiny insects (including a pair of beetles playing cards). Together, they combine to create a believable, secret world, down among the grass. 

 

Sam Vole and his Brothers by Martin Waddell and Barbara Firth (Walker Books 1992) | Text © 1992 by Martin Waddell. Illustration © 1992 by Barbara Firth

Firth extends this attention to detail to the voles themselves - and she absolutely nails it! Her voles - although totally anthropomorphic - remain lifelike, authentic and utterly charming. (In this sense, her work reminds me of Beatrix Potter’s and Jill Barklem’s Brambly Hedge, who are both experts at this.)

Whenever I find a dead rodent, I take a good look. Sometimes I will even give it a stroke. Please don’t be grossed out - it’s my naturally inquisitive mind (and a habit that harks back to my days as a young naturalist). If you’ve ever done the same, you, too, will delight in how Firth captures the voles’ paws and plump little bodies.

 

When they all went to bed Sam could not sleep. He lay awake thinking; I want to do something all by myself.

Early next morning, he did it. He slipped out of the house and into the garden and he went voling alone.

 

At first, Sam’s newfound independence brings him joy, ‘for he liked it a lot without brothers.’ But Sam is small and easily lost. His pleasure dwindles (‘he still liked it a bit without brothers’) and then dries up.

 

[Sam] stopped and he stood and he listened. He didn’t like it at all without brothers.

 

Uh-oh.

A brief moment of mild peril - and then Arthur and Henry come to the rescue. The brothers vole happily home - with Sam carrying a special and unique gift for Mother - a blue feather for her hair.

One final observation: there is no Father Vole. 

Mother Vole’s sons have become the men of the house. So while she stays at home to bake and knit, her boys are off hunter-gathering. Does Sam Vole perpetuate gender tropes? Absolutely! But to its credit, the story also reflects a realistic alternative to the traditional two-parent family.

 

Sam Vole and his Brothers by Martin Waddell and Barbara Firth (Walker Books 1992) | Illustration © 1992 by Barbara Firth

 
STORIES WORTH SHARING: Sam Vole and his Brothers by Martin Waddell and Barabra Firth

Good to Read because:

It’s a quick read if needed.

It’s a more extended read when you have time to explore the illustrations.

Looking for hidden details in the illustrations will increases your child’s awareness and observational skills.

It will inspire creative play:

Go voling! What treasures can you find?

What small items can you find around your home that Sam and his family might enjoy using?

It will restore your sense of wonder!

Good to Read

Picture books featuring Tiny Worlds

The Brambly Hedge books by Jill Barklem

Monty and Milli - the Totally Amazing Magic Trick by Tracey Corderoy, ill. by Tim Warnes

The Very Noisy Night by Dian Hendry, ill. by Jane Chapman

For older readers

The Borrowers by Mary Norton

BUY THE BOOK

Sam Vole and his Brothers by Martin Waddell and Barbara Firth (Walker Books 1992) | Illustration © 1992 by Barbara Firth

‘The story conveys so clearly the joys and fears of seeking independence…’

- Child Education, Best Books

‘Cute little tale about being independent, and the value of family. :)’

- Jax Gross, Good Reads  buy uk SOURCESSam Vole and his Brothers by Martin Waddell and Barbara Firth (Walker Books 1992) Becky B’s Review > Sam Vole and his Brothers (Good Reads, 22 August 2016)© 2020 BY TIM WARNES(UNLESS OTHERWISE ATTRIBUTED)**** USE OF THIRD PARTY COPYRIGHTED MATERIAL FALLS UNDER FAIR USE/FAIR DEALING PRACTICE.