Sam the Sea Cow

by Francine Jacobs, Laura Kelly (Illustrator)

Meet a gentle giant, a manatee affectionately known as Sam the sea cow, in this informative but beautifully illustrated picture book that's perfect for animal lovers.

Sam is called a sea cow because that's what he looks like--a big cow grazing in the ocean. He is also called a manatee. Readers are introduced to Sam when he is just hours old--though already forty pounds!--and watch him grow up. Combined with Sam's touching big adventure are numerous fun facts about manatees.

An exciting, accessible book gorgeously illustrated in full color.

Genres: Picture Books, Animals, Science, Childrens, Nature, Nonfiction

48 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1979

Reviews

[Jen]

Delightful, beautifully illustrated story based on a real event about Sam the sea cow (manatee). The illustrations are beautiful and colorful, which add to the simple story. The story adds some facts about manatees as well. While this is directed more toward children and was featured on the amazing show, Reading Rainbow, this is a story I believe all ages can enjoy.

Sam eventually makes his way to Crystal River, where I went to swim with and see manatees a few years back. I have always loved manatees and this book did a great job telling Sam's story and why we need to protect this beautiful, gentle creatures.

[Edward Sojuwa]

Sewer Sam is the story Florida loves to hate to tell, since it involves the subject of sea cows, or manatees, an endangered species protected by law, but not that well. Jimmy Buffet, the Florida rock star, did ads urging Florida fans to help protect manatees. Unfortunately the ads may have fallen on deaf ears, and powerboats still buzz by and conk the Manatees on their little heads. "It's a Florida problem," said Buffet in the 83 TV ad, "so how 'bout helping me find a Florida solution?"
This book may not be the Florida solution per se, but it is a Florida step in the right direction.
The true story of Sam, a playful manatee who gets himself stuck in a sewer and, like human baby Jessica in the well, is headline news all across Florida. The rescue crew manage to get the big guy to pop out and get transferred to the Miami Seaquarium, which, if you know about sea parks like Sea World etc, is adding on to the Florida problem. Sam is ignored by both the other manatees and the human visitors expecting him to do tricks. And anyone will tell ya, there's nothing "trick" about a manatee's sweet nature. Finally they release Sam back into the river, where he remained a happy little big guy with a sea cow wife and little sea cow kids until his death. Of course the book starts with the earlier discussed powerboat accident which leads Sam into the incident with the sewer pipe. (I live in Tampa Bay, so my guess is that local radio station Q105 woulda yukked it up on air. I find it kinda sad.) Great story, but, as you can see, it ain't the Florida solution...just the first step. The rest I leave to you.
Four stars
Sam rocks even Tampa Bay!!!

[Cameron Cochran]

This book is a small chapter book about the life cycle of a sea manatee. In the beginning, it talks about how a mother-manatee takes care of its calf. Then when the calf is all grown up it separates from its mother and starts living on its own. Sam, the young manatee, travels to different bodies of water and accidentally gets stuck in a sewer pipe. Eventually, some people save Sam and bring him to an aquarium. After some time in the aquarium, Sam is brought back into the wild to swim around once again. The illustrations are pant-like and have great detail for the animals and the backgrounds in the story. The writing is simple but the format of the writing is the same as some poetry which is probably used to space out the reading for younger readers. At the back of the book, it has two pages going into deep detail about manatees. This is a great book to teach kids about manatees and their life cycle. Overall this is a fun and engaging book about sea manatees.

[Siobhan Falen]

3.5/5 Stars

Meet Sam the Sea Cow and grow with him from infanthood to a rescue and release situation.

My arshole of a housemate thought they were funny cause one of my nicknames is Mamatea. Originally Manatee when I was pregnant with my youngest (husband's also a boogar), but it evolved over my love of tea and parenthood. Anyway, this was a gift so I had to read and review, with a sense of humor through gritted teeth.

I loved the artwork. It was beautiful and brought to life Sam's world. The story though seemed to try to focus on too many things given how simple the writing was. My kiddos would have enjoyed the artwork but the story, though true, felt lackluster and spread too thin.

If you've got a young 'un or love manatee artwork, this is beautiful to look at and is a good educational tool for facts about manatees. It would be a nice book for an educational setting to get students involved in environmental awareness or a love of manatees.

[Michelé]

Found this in a free library! Cute little read! I actually learned a lot about manatees. And I also saw a real representation of how humans kill wildlife. Found out it was based on a true story, which was cute. Would definitely recommend to kids (and adults).

[Heidy Jullienia]

I love manatees. The illustrations are pretty. The book is a little dark as it mentions the manatee getting hurt by man made objects but it sure is accurate. It has a happy ending and it has some fun facts about manatees.

[Margaret Chind]

I read this aloud to my almost-kinder child (Mermaid Warrior). It was fine, not amazing. There is another book about Sam I read in years past that I believe I enjoyed more. The local library owns this perma-bound book.

[Brianna Crall]

Good story to share with students on the impact humans have on species. Lots of knowledge learned about manatees as well.

[Alex Richey]

For Manatee Appreciation Day

[Adrian]

Educational about manatees. Kind of a sad story really, but realistic.

[Kelly]

(evolution referenced in the end notes)

[Frank]

so sad !!!

[Kest Schwartzman]

cute story, cute illustrations, full of good information delivered in an age appropriate manner. Possibly a bit intense for sensitive tiny humans, though.

[Kendall Henson]

This book follows the life of a manatee named Sam. It describes manatee habits, the dangers they face, what happens when they need human help, and the rehabilitation of sea creatures.

This book provides information in an engaging, story-telling style. The illustrations are interesting, and the story offers many different scenarios in the life of a manatee.

This book would be a good way for students to be introduced to a topic they may choose to pursue further in the future. It gives an outline of many different topics, and the discussion of marine rehab could extend to a study of many other animals and their endangerment.

[Randie D. Camp, M.S.]

Sam is a "sea cow" or manatee. In this book we see him grow from a few hours old into an adult. The book also places emphasis on Sam's habitat and the dangers that manatees face.

Illustrations are detailed, beautiful like art.

My son and I watched this book on a Reading Rainbow DVD.

[Rosanna]

The illustrations are nice. The book provides an introduction to the lives of manatees, their lives, and the dangers that they face in the form of a story.