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Sam Who Went to Sea
Sam, the river rat, dreams of going to sea. Day and night, whatever he's doing, his thoughts turn seawards. So, when he sees a chance to build his own boat, he is determined to take it, no matter what anyone else may say …
"Sparkling pictures." - Naomi Lewis, Evening Standard
"Sparkling pictures." - Naomi Lewis, Evening Standard
- GenresPicture BooksChildrens
32 pages, Paperback
First published August 1, 1994
About the author
Phyllis Root
110 books73 followers"Picture books are performances," says Phyllis Root, quoting some sage advice she once received. "They're performances that involve a child--something both of you do. And once I started thinking of them that way, I started getting much looser about making up words and playing around with rhythm."
Phyllis Root picked up an early affinity for colloquial language while growing up in Indiana and southern Illinois, "where people actually say things like, 'I got a hitch in my git-along'!" She decided to be a writer in the fifth grade, but it wasn't until she was thirty years old that she took a writing course with an influential teacher who gave her "the tools" she says she needed. "That's when I figured out that you could learn to be a writer," she says. What followed was a series of rollicking stories that take on a new life when read aloud, among them ONE DUCK STUCK, a one-of-a-kind counting book; KISS THE COW!, an affectionate salute to stubbornness; WHAT BABY WANTS, a tale of increasingly ridiculous efforts to quiet an infant that one reviewer compared to an episode of I LOVE LUCY, and LOOKING FOR A MOOSE, a buoyant tale with a final surprise discovery.
The author does "endless rewriting" before a book is finished, but often starts out by writing her stories in her head, a trick she learned as a time-pressed mother when her two daughters were very young. For example, RATTLETRAP CAR--a joyful celebration of perseverance--began with her playing around with sounds ("clinkety clankety, bing bang pop!") and calling up bits of old camp songs.
A master of rhythmic read-alouds, Phyllis Root exhibits a range many writers would envy. Her counting book TEN SLEEPY SHEEP is as serene and lulling as ONE DUCK STUCK is rambunctious. "Counting sheep isn't always easy," she notes. "Once, while we were farm-sitting, my daughter and I had to chase down two runaway lambs in the growing darkness, then count twenty-seven frisky lambs to make sure they were all safe for the night. Luckily, they were." OLIVER FINDS HIS WAY is a quiet, classic picture book about a defining moment in the life of a small child--getting lost and having the pluck to find the way home. On the other extreme, Phyllis Root takes on no less than the whole universe in BIG MOMMA MAKES THE WORLD, a powerful, original, down-home creation myth that received rave reviews and won the prestigious BOSTON GLOBE-HORN BOOK Award. Most recently, Phyllis Root penned LUCIA AND THE LIGHT, a timeless adventure about one brave girl's quest that was inspired by Nordic lore.
When she's not writing, Phyllis Root teaches at Vermont College's MFA in Writing for Children program. She lives with her two daughters and two cats in a 100-year-old house in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and loves to read (mostly mysteries with female protagonists) or spend time outdoors gardening, camping, sailing, or traveling. "One of the things I've learned about myself," she confides, "is that when I get really stuck and can't seem to get writing, it's because I've forgotten to take time out to play."
Phyllis Root picked up an early affinity for colloquial language while growing up in Indiana and southern Illinois, "where people actually say things like, 'I got a hitch in my git-along'!" She decided to be a writer in the fifth grade, but it wasn't until she was thirty years old that she took a writing course with an influential teacher who gave her "the tools" she says she needed. "That's when I figured out that you could learn to be a writer," she says. What followed was a series of rollicking stories that take on a new life when read aloud, among them ONE DUCK STUCK, a one-of-a-kind counting book; KISS THE COW!, an affectionate salute to stubbornness; WHAT BABY WANTS, a tale of increasingly ridiculous efforts to quiet an infant that one reviewer compared to an episode of I LOVE LUCY, and LOOKING FOR A MOOSE, a buoyant tale with a final surprise discovery.
The author does "endless rewriting" before a book is finished, but often starts out by writing her stories in her head, a trick she learned as a time-pressed mother when her two daughters were very young. For example, RATTLETRAP CAR--a joyful celebration of perseverance--began with her playing around with sounds ("clinkety clankety, bing bang pop!") and calling up bits of old camp songs.
A master of rhythmic read-alouds, Phyllis Root exhibits a range many writers would envy. Her counting book TEN SLEEPY SHEEP is as serene and lulling as ONE DUCK STUCK is rambunctious. "Counting sheep isn't always easy," she notes. "Once, while we were farm-sitting, my daughter and I had to chase down two runaway lambs in the growing darkness, then count twenty-seven frisky lambs to make sure they were all safe for the night. Luckily, they were." OLIVER FINDS HIS WAY is a quiet, classic picture book about a defining moment in the life of a small child--getting lost and having the pluck to find the way home. On the other extreme, Phyllis Root takes on no less than the whole universe in BIG MOMMA MAKES THE WORLD, a powerful, original, down-home creation myth that received rave reviews and won the prestigious BOSTON GLOBE-HORN BOOK Award. Most recently, Phyllis Root penned LUCIA AND THE LIGHT, a timeless adventure about one brave girl's quest that was inspired by Nordic lore.
When she's not writing, Phyllis Root teaches at Vermont College's MFA in Writing for Children program. She lives with her two daughters and two cats in a 100-year-old house in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and loves to read (mostly mysteries with female protagonists) or spend time outdoors gardening, camping, sailing, or traveling. "One of the things I've learned about myself," she confides, "is that when I get really stuck and can't seem to get writing, it's because I've forgotten to take time out to play."
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
March 26, 2020
Sam, a river rat, was always dreaming about going to sea, indeed, he was obsessive about it.
So, when he spotted an advertisement in the 'Riverside Gazette' - 'Build Your Own Boat' - he saved up and when he had enough money he sent away for the plans. His adventure was about to begin.
Sam's neighbours at first thought he was building a shed so he had to put them right, 'It's an ocean-going sailing boat,' he told them. Despite Mrs Seednibbler telling him that they lived on a little river, a rowing-boat and canoe river, Sam knew that he only had to follow it to its end to find the ocean.
The season passed and Sam worked away and the massive boat took shape. When he had finished he named it 'The Rat's Paw' and painted the name on its bow. He loaded it with supplies, said goodbye to his neighbours and off he went. His neighbours gave up hope of ever seeing him again.
He sailed the ocean, was battered by storms, saw whales spouting, dolphins leaping and the salt spray matted his fur. But he was happy as he munched his salt biscuits and cheese at night and watched the moon tilt in his sails.
Back home his house got overgrown and his neighbours thought that he must have got tangled up in seaweed somewhere, that is until one day a passing seagull dropped a note near Sam's house. The neighbours found it and it told them not to worry because, as he wrote, 'I am happy.'
A lovely little story and Axel Scheffler combines this time with Phyllis Root to produce a most attractive volume that tells of Sam following his dream.
So, when he spotted an advertisement in the 'Riverside Gazette' - 'Build Your Own Boat' - he saved up and when he had enough money he sent away for the plans. His adventure was about to begin.
Sam's neighbours at first thought he was building a shed so he had to put them right, 'It's an ocean-going sailing boat,' he told them. Despite Mrs Seednibbler telling him that they lived on a little river, a rowing-boat and canoe river, Sam knew that he only had to follow it to its end to find the ocean.
The season passed and Sam worked away and the massive boat took shape. When he had finished he named it 'The Rat's Paw' and painted the name on its bow. He loaded it with supplies, said goodbye to his neighbours and off he went. His neighbours gave up hope of ever seeing him again.
He sailed the ocean, was battered by storms, saw whales spouting, dolphins leaping and the salt spray matted his fur. But he was happy as he munched his salt biscuits and cheese at night and watched the moon tilt in his sails.
Back home his house got overgrown and his neighbours thought that he must have got tangled up in seaweed somewhere, that is until one day a passing seagull dropped a note near Sam's house. The neighbours found it and it told them not to worry because, as he wrote, 'I am happy.'
A lovely little story and Axel Scheffler combines this time with Phyllis Root to produce a most attractive volume that tells of Sam following his dream.
November 17, 2021
A lovely picture book about a rat that builds a boat and sails out to sea to follow his life long dream.
I love how Sam follows his heart despite what his neighbours and friends have to say, and how hard he work to achieve his dream about sailing to sea. He is a good model for determination, perseverance and hard work.
I love that it ends ambiguously, leaving the reader with many questions about where Sam is now, if he still loves sailing, if he ever came home. The story is accompanied by Alex Scheffler’s unique illustration style which children may recognise.
A nice lighthearted book for younger children.
I love how Sam follows his heart despite what his neighbours and friends have to say, and how hard he work to achieve his dream about sailing to sea. He is a good model for determination, perseverance and hard work.
I love that it ends ambiguously, leaving the reader with many questions about where Sam is now, if he still loves sailing, if he ever came home. The story is accompanied by Alex Scheffler’s unique illustration style which children may recognise.
A nice lighthearted book for younger children.
January 21, 2019
The illustration is by famous illustrator Axel Scheffler who worked on gruffalo series and Julia Donaldson books. The story is of a rat who dreams of sailing in the ocean. He is discouraged by his neighbours to not go as it can be a dangerous journey but Sam works on building his sails and takes to the sea. He is happy to have pursued his dream. The story is about encouraging kids to follow their dreams despite all oppositions, if they believe the it is right for them.
July 17, 2021
Never give up on your dreams ; )
October 31, 2024
A brilliant picture book, illustrated by Axel Schefler explores topics like determination, following your dream, passion and having unsupportive friends (lol).
February 6, 2017
Lovely picture book about a rat who followed his dream. Sweet story, nice illustrations. My copy has a different cover.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews