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No Sam! #1
They Call Me No Sam!
From Drew Daywalt, the #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Day the Crayons Quit , and illustrator Mike Lowery comes a heavily illustrated, paper-over-board middle grade novel about Sam, a noble pug who will go to any lengths to protect his family from the bad guys! Meet an insolent pug—and incidental hero—who will stop at nothing to protect his family! When scientists Elaine and Gary Peterson adopt Sam to keep their son, Justin, company in the midst of a top-secret research project, they never imagine the precocious pup will cause more harm than good. But from chewing up Elaine’s hair dryer (the “brain-melting heat cannon”), to his inability to be house-trained (who could resist the “pooping rug”?), the Petersons aren’t sure how much more they can take. And that's before Sam starts harassing Justin’s crush (and potential new friend), Phoebe, who Sam is sure is an evil wizard out to harm Justin. But when a pair of crooks encroaches on the Peterson household in an attempt to steal their confidential findings, Sam’s actions—never mind his reasoning for them—just may save the day.
224 pages, Hardcover
First published June 4, 2024
65 people are currently reading
4479 people want to read
About the author
Drew Daywalt
48 books582 followersEver since his childhood in one of Ohio’s most haunted houses, writer director Drew Daywalt has been writing escapist fantasy and building worlds of his own. With a degree in Creative Writing, and a concentration in Children’s Literature from Emerson College in Boston, Daywalt set off to Hollywood where he spent years writing for Disney and Universal on such beloved shows as Timon & Pumba, Buzz Lightyear, and Woody Woodpecker, and where his animated series The Wacky World of Tex Avery garnered an Emmy nomination.
His first trip into live action landed him studio screenwriting and feature film directing work with such Hollywood luminaries as Quentin Tarrantino, Lawrence Bender, Tony Scott, Brett Ratner and Jerry Bruckheimer.
With an eye toward picture book writing, Daywalt’s first book THE DAY THE CRAYONS QUIT, illustrated by Oliver Jeffers, debuted on the New York Times Best Seller’s List in June 2013, and has since become a Number One Best Seller.
His first trip into live action landed him studio screenwriting and feature film directing work with such Hollywood luminaries as Quentin Tarrantino, Lawrence Bender, Tony Scott, Brett Ratner and Jerry Bruckheimer.
With an eye toward picture book writing, Daywalt’s first book THE DAY THE CRAYONS QUIT, illustrated by Oliver Jeffers, debuted on the New York Times Best Seller’s List in June 2013, and has since become a Number One Best Seller.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 117 reviews
December 9, 2025
Recommended to me by a Goodreads Friend -- she has great taste!
There's a Medusa next door, an evil wizard (who looks like a little girl), and pirates constantly raiding the neighborhood. In fact the only good people seem to be Drago and Grisha who hang out in their fancy van with all kinds of tech gizmos.
But no matter the monsters, NO SAM is ready and willing to protect them at any cost.
This was a really fun book!
The illustrations were super cute - I just wanted to hug and squish Sam every time I saw his adorable face. The comic panels and little asides did a great job of enhancing the story.
I liked how the author provided the dual interpretations of the story's events. Sam was always so confident in his interpretations and the author always gave just enough information so that the audience knows what's really happening.
I thought Sam's interpretations of his world were hilarious...well...except for I wanted to gag every time I read about that!
Overall, if you are looking for a funny, light read for you and your kiddo - this one is it!
No Sam (Sam for short) is a little pug with grand ideas. Sam knows that he comes with a very specific set of skills perfectly honed to protect his new family, the Petersons, from danger!
"My name is NO SAM! and I am a human being...Since the dawn of time, you see, human beings and naked-monkey-things have an unspoken contract..."
But the transition to the new home isn't going as smoothly as the Petersons want (Sam, of course, is confident that everything is aces).
"...we had made it all the way home without being attacked by any of the monsters or aliens or bandits that I'd seen on the news. It was sheer luck we made it here alive at all...these poor defenseless naked-monkey-things will never have to worry about their safety again. NO SAM! is on the job!"
"When they opened the front door, I ran inside and almost fainted with joy. Right there was the most beautiful pooping rug I'd ever seen."Despite the pooping rug, peeing couch, chewing chair and porcelain drinking fountain room, Sam knows he can't let his guard down for any minute.
There's a Medusa next door, an evil wizard (who looks like a little girl), and pirates constantly raiding the neighborhood. In fact the only good people seem to be Drago and Grisha who hang out in their fancy van with all kinds of tech gizmos.
But no matter the monsters, NO SAM is ready and willing to protect them at any cost.
This was a really fun book!
The illustrations were super cute - I just wanted to hug and squish Sam every time I saw his adorable face. The comic panels and little asides did a great job of enhancing the story.
I liked how the author provided the dual interpretations of the story's events. Sam was always so confident in his interpretations and the author always gave just enough information so that the audience knows what's really happening.
I thought Sam's interpretations of his world were hilarious...well...except for I wanted to gag every time I read about that!
Overall, if you are looking for a funny, light read for you and your kiddo - this one is it!
January 19, 2025
Yep it's a kids book I read with my ten-year-old, and it was legitimately hilarious and also had amusing twists at the end that genuinely got me. Loved it!
June 18, 2025
"Alle nennen mich Nein-Sam!" gehört definitiv zu den lustigsten Büchern, die ich je gelesen habe. Eigentlich für Kinder ab 8 empfohlen, trotzdem kann ich es wirklich jedem empfehlen, der ein kurzweiliges, super humorvolles Buch sucht.
Es geht um den Mops Sam, der von seinem Besitzer vernachlässigt und allein in der Wohnung gelassen wurde. Wenigstens hat sein Besitzer den Fernseher angelassen, sodass Sam den ganzen Tag fern sehen konnte. Dadurch dass dort den ganzen Tag Filme und Dokus über Zombies, Roboter, Ninjas und andere Gefahren kamen, entwickelt Sam ein Blick auf die Welt, der überall Gefahren zu erkennen scheint. Er flieht von seinem Besitzer und findet eine neue tolle Familie. Doch dort lauern überall Gefahren! Sei es der brutale Geisterwolf im Fenster, die böse Zauberin, die seinen neuen Freund verzaubert hat oder der Killerroboter, der im Schrank lauert.
Das Buch hat es mir echt angetan und ist auf eine ganz besondere Art so unglaublich lustig. Es gibt humorvolle Erklärungen warum dein Hund nachts plötzlich anfängt zu bellen oder warum er sein Geschäft lieber im Haus als im Garten verrichtet.
Wie gesagt eine Empfehlung für jedes Alter!
Es geht um den Mops Sam, der von seinem Besitzer vernachlässigt und allein in der Wohnung gelassen wurde. Wenigstens hat sein Besitzer den Fernseher angelassen, sodass Sam den ganzen Tag fern sehen konnte. Dadurch dass dort den ganzen Tag Filme und Dokus über Zombies, Roboter, Ninjas und andere Gefahren kamen, entwickelt Sam ein Blick auf die Welt, der überall Gefahren zu erkennen scheint. Er flieht von seinem Besitzer und findet eine neue tolle Familie. Doch dort lauern überall Gefahren! Sei es der brutale Geisterwolf im Fenster, die böse Zauberin, die seinen neuen Freund verzaubert hat oder der Killerroboter, der im Schrank lauert.
Das Buch hat es mir echt angetan und ist auf eine ganz besondere Art so unglaublich lustig. Es gibt humorvolle Erklärungen warum dein Hund nachts plötzlich anfängt zu bellen oder warum er sein Geschäft lieber im Haus als im Garten verrichtet.
Wie gesagt eine Empfehlung für jedes Alter!
August 9, 2024
A perfect book for an eight year old. We laughed a lot. Mike Lowery forever. This kind of scratched that Mac B: Kid Spy itch!
July 8, 2024
From the author of The Day the Crayons Quit comes a hilarious chapter-book adventure of a pug who gets a new family. Perfect Gotcha Day No, Sam belongs to Justin now, and there is so much to understand and learn. If he only knew his new owners, think of him: he is chaotic, and he even makes Justin's crush mad at him. But... this cute pug is just too funny. He sees the world in a different way (the names he gives people and objects are fun) and although he thinks he is fighting other villains he will save the day.
I laughed out loud reading this, also perfect for reading aloud. I look forward to seeing the final artwork and collecting a physical copy. I've read a digital advance.r.copy.
Love the writing style. It's the dairy of a pug and the language is fun. Lots of events to explore and also opinions. I love the pug's expressions in the artwork that I've already seen. Some pages have comics and the mix makes it a fast-paced enjoyable reading that can be reread when the world overwhelms us. It just improves any mood, even of older readers who love puppy (or specifically pug) stories. Also, it's very relatable.
The scene of the blow drier and his thoughts of the person using it was hilarious. It's tiny things about everyday life that make it even more fun to read.
Thank you Netgalley and publisher for the e-arc.
I laughed out loud reading this, also perfect for reading aloud. I look forward to seeing the final artwork and collecting a physical copy. I've read a digital advance.r.copy.
Love the writing style. It's the dairy of a pug and the language is fun. Lots of events to explore and also opinions. I love the pug's expressions in the artwork that I've already seen. Some pages have comics and the mix makes it a fast-paced enjoyable reading that can be reread when the world overwhelms us. It just improves any mood, even of older readers who love puppy (or specifically pug) stories. Also, it's very relatable.
The scene of the blow drier and his thoughts of the person using it was hilarious. It's tiny things about everyday life that make it even more fun to read.
Thank you Netgalley and publisher for the e-arc.
March 23, 2024
This was such a cute chapter book in diary format about a pug who thinks his name is No sam since that is what his family calls him when he does something he isn’t supposed to even though in his mind that is exactly what he has to do. Sam is determined to protect his family from anyone and accidentally ends up saving the day. The drawings were adorable and story was cute.
Thanks to Clarion Books and Netgalley for the complimentary copy of this book. All opinions in this review are my own.
Thanks to Clarion Books and Netgalley for the complimentary copy of this book. All opinions in this review are my own.
February 5, 2025
This is a very silly story about a dog who, while doing a whole lot of things wrong, somehow manages to get everything right. It made me giggle, had just the right amount of gross humor for some readers (the tasty snacks from the sand oven come to mind), and will be an easy sell to grades 3-5. The dog's perspective, and how he views the human world, is a lot of fun. I will definitely be talking about this book to dog loving kiddos looking for a funny read!
April 21, 2025
Incredibly funny and perfect for kids starting to read chapter books. The illustrations were cute, and I liked how at times they had a comic quality to them. This was a very unique story that had me laughing most of the time.
However, the few things that I didn't like or felt tripped up the story where No Sam's over use of the term "Naked-Monkey-Thing", a jump scene in Day 12, and the so called talking lessons.
This is not a spoiler as it happens within the first two pages of No Sam's introduction of himself. Sam (I'll be calling him Sam from this point), believes himself to be a human being, and not a dog. Therefore, humans are not human beings, but rather "Naked-Monkey-Things". Believe me, I found this hysterical and got a good laugh out of it. The problem was, by Day 5, it had just gotten too repetitive. I really wish Sam had just referred to the people by their names or some description of them opposed to using that term as often as he did. In later diary entries he got better, but for a time it was like that was all I was reading. It just bogged things down and lost what made it funny through the overuse.
Next is an awkward jump that takes place on Day 12.
Lastly was the talking lessons. The family Sam is adopted by has a cat. Sam gets a long with the cat (Meow), but believes he's not the smartest animal around. So Sam decided he'll teach Meow to talk, as his only word is his namesake.
Regardless of all that, I truly enjoyed it. I would love to see a sequel where Justin's parents turn their mad scientist idea toward Sam though. They should really think about that. Given everything that happened, it wouldn't be a bad idea.
However, the few things that I didn't like or felt tripped up the story where No Sam's over use of the term "Naked-Monkey-Thing", a jump scene in Day 12, and the so called talking lessons.
This is not a spoiler as it happens within the first two pages of No Sam's introduction of himself. Sam (I'll be calling him Sam from this point), believes himself to be a human being, and not a dog. Therefore, humans are not human beings, but rather "Naked-Monkey-Things". Believe me, I found this hysterical and got a good laugh out of it. The problem was, by Day 5, it had just gotten too repetitive. I really wish Sam had just referred to the people by their names or some description of them opposed to using that term as often as he did. In later diary entries he got better, but for a time it was like that was all I was reading. It just bogged things down and lost what made it funny through the overuse.
Next is an awkward jump that takes place on Day 12.
Lastly was the talking lessons. The family Sam is adopted by has a cat. Sam gets a long with the cat (Meow), but believes he's not the smartest animal around. So Sam decided he'll teach Meow to talk, as his only word is his namesake.
Regardless of all that, I truly enjoyed it. I would love to see a sequel where Justin's parents turn their mad scientist idea toward Sam though. They should really think about that. Given everything that happened, it wouldn't be a bad idea.
June 17, 2024
4.5/5
Quarky, funny story in the perspective of a 'human being" aka dog. my 9 and 6 year old thought the story was hilarious and it shows how dogs are with change and new owners. It shows compassion for other. But warning for some parents it does use a lot of potty humor for those who do not want their children reading that. As a parent I do love that the book uses a wide range of vocabulary and the use of pictures to keep the children engaged for a new reader chapter book. Funny, cute story. Would recommend for first chapter book!
Thank you NetGalley and Clarion books for the opportunity to read this e-arc.
Quarky, funny story in the perspective of a 'human being" aka dog. my 9 and 6 year old thought the story was hilarious and it shows how dogs are with change and new owners. It shows compassion for other. But warning for some parents it does use a lot of potty humor for those who do not want their children reading that. As a parent I do love that the book uses a wide range of vocabulary and the use of pictures to keep the children engaged for a new reader chapter book. Funny, cute story. Would recommend for first chapter book!
Thank you NetGalley and Clarion books for the opportunity to read this e-arc.
April 21, 2025
After running away from Mike, No Sam (a pug) ends up "in prison" (a pet shelter) until 2 naked-monkey-things bring their smaller naked-monkey-thing, Justin to see if the 2 will bond. No Sam is determined to protect the Petersons from all enemies including the Medusa living next door, the pirates that empty the Petersons' treasure chest (trash can) every week, the evil wizard girl befriending Justin, and more. Human/naked-monkey-thing readers will notice things aren't as they seem to No Sam. Lowery's simple illustrations show these differences to comedic effect. For fans of funny dog books, like Dog Diaries, Dog Squad, Dogtown, and Wedgie & Gizmo.
October 2, 2024
Hilarious story of three weeks of a pug’s life in which he gets a new home and saves their lives. Classic humor and Lowery’s illustrations never disappoint!
November 15, 2025
From the 11yo: 6-7stars (obviously🤣) I like it but why does the dog have to be an idiot?! I liked the book because the dog was kinda funny and stupid. So I guess that’s why the dog had to be an idiot. I think this is a good family read aloud.
From the 8yo: five stars - I recommend this to kids that like super funny books. My favorite part was when sam thought the outside world was dangerous when he was trapped in Mike’s house and the watched “the news”. I love pugs and they are super cute, plus Sam is funny like me.
Grown up: 5 out of 5 stars! This is the PERFECT family read aloud and the illustrations make it so much better than just a book (although the story would be hilarious by itself- the illustrations help knock it out of the park!). We were always laughing and I found myself wanting to read one more page or one more chapter because it was just so funny. Sam is so smart and so oblivious it’s the perfect balance. We cannot wait to read book two, which luckily was just recently released!
From the 8yo: five stars - I recommend this to kids that like super funny books. My favorite part was when sam thought the outside world was dangerous when he was trapped in Mike’s house and the watched “the news”. I love pugs and they are super cute, plus Sam is funny like me.
Grown up: 5 out of 5 stars! This is the PERFECT family read aloud and the illustrations make it so much better than just a book (although the story would be hilarious by itself- the illustrations help knock it out of the park!). We were always laughing and I found myself wanting to read one more page or one more chapter because it was just so funny. Sam is so smart and so oblivious it’s the perfect balance. We cannot wait to read book two, which luckily was just recently released!
June 4, 2024
They Call Me No Sam! Is a funny, captivating, one-of-a-kind, can't put down, adorable, creative, and roll on the ground laughing book! This middle grade story had me laughing like I haven't laughed in a long time. I devoured this book in one day. Honestly, this just might be my favorite book I've read all year! Here's why......
Written in a diary style with illustrations and comics sprinkled throughout, Sam chronicles to journey of finding love and belonging all while firecly protecting his newfound family.
No Sam, the human being, has a contractual agreement with the Naked-Monkey-Thing Mike. When Mike doesn't hold up his end of bargin, Sam runs away. Eventually he is saved the Petersons world renowned scientists who want a friend to keep their son company while they work on a top secret project. No Sam quickly grows to love them and will go to any length to protect his family. It is full time job with brain-melting heat cannons, ghost wolves, medusa, pirates, nefarious wizards disguised as well meaning kids, and much more on the loose.
Are there any real dangers you might ask? Let's just say No Sam's protection crusade, well thought out battle plans, and death defying acts of bravery protect the Petersons from all real and imagined threats.
A few things I loved: Sam's POV written with a captivating voice, all the "bad guys" made me laugh, Sam's devotion to his new family, well thought out schemes/funny moments, fantastic pacing which kept me engaged the entire time, and lots of surprises! The unpredictability is high!
I was laughing and loving No Sam unlike any other character before. This book is a MUST read!
Thank you to @theshelfstuff for sending me a copy of the book and to @storygramtours for allowing me to be on this tour! (Yay for first tour!!)
#TheyCallMeNoSam #storygramkids
Written in a diary style with illustrations and comics sprinkled throughout, Sam chronicles to journey of finding love and belonging all while firecly protecting his newfound family.
No Sam, the human being, has a contractual agreement with the Naked-Monkey-Thing Mike. When Mike doesn't hold up his end of bargin, Sam runs away. Eventually he is saved the Petersons world renowned scientists who want a friend to keep their son company while they work on a top secret project. No Sam quickly grows to love them and will go to any length to protect his family. It is full time job with brain-melting heat cannons, ghost wolves, medusa, pirates, nefarious wizards disguised as well meaning kids, and much more on the loose.
Are there any real dangers you might ask? Let's just say No Sam's protection crusade, well thought out battle plans, and death defying acts of bravery protect the Petersons from all real and imagined threats.
A few things I loved: Sam's POV written with a captivating voice, all the "bad guys" made me laugh, Sam's devotion to his new family, well thought out schemes/funny moments, fantastic pacing which kept me engaged the entire time, and lots of surprises! The unpredictability is high!
I was laughing and loving No Sam unlike any other character before. This book is a MUST read!
Thank you to @theshelfstuff for sending me a copy of the book and to @storygramtours for allowing me to be on this tour! (Yay for first tour!!)
#TheyCallMeNoSam #storygramkids
August 10, 2024
No Sam is one seriously confused but adorable pug. The book is quite short-- a single sit reading. Entertaining, funny, and well-plotted, They Call Me No Sam! is about a pug first owned by Mike, a very negligent, unpleasant person. He is told, "No, Sam!" so often, he thinks it is his name. But No Sam, who seems to be a cross between Oliver Twist and Anne of Green Gables in the dog world, rises above his difficult beginnings, remaining 0ptimistic the whole time. He goes on the lam and finds a new family. They are kind but have secrets. Mayem ensues.
No Same thinks he is the human, and that humans are fur-less monkey things. He also mistakes villains for friends, since they come bearing sandwiches. No Sam is vulnerable and easy to outwit--or is he? Chaos takes center stage, but all is resolved at the end. I have been needing and reading uplifting, funny, and or just plain happy books, since my beloved Stella (shiba inu) passed in July. This filled the bill.
No Same thinks he is the human, and that humans are fur-less monkey things. He also mistakes villains for friends, since they come bearing sandwiches. No Sam is vulnerable and easy to outwit--or is he? Chaos takes center stage, but all is resolved at the end. I have been needing and reading uplifting, funny, and or just plain happy books, since my beloved Stella (shiba inu) passed in July. This filled the bill.
November 30, 2024
"Five out of five stars!" - A. P. 8-year old girl
"I'd give it 100 stars!" - E. B. 6-year-old boy
This was a truly fun read for all ages. I read this aloud to my children, and there were plenty of clever jokes to make parents laugh along with kids. This is an excellent take on what it might be like to live through an average day from a dog's perspective.
No, Sam! is a dog... scratch that, human being (according to him) and he must navigate the world based on the limited knowledge he has from watching movies on t.v. His misunderstandings lead to a number of sticky situations, which lead to total chaos and mayhem, before the much anticipated happy ending with a delightful twist. This is a must-read for anyone with young kids and a dog.
"I'd give it 100 stars!" - E. B. 6-year-old boy
This was a truly fun read for all ages. I read this aloud to my children, and there were plenty of clever jokes to make parents laugh along with kids. This is an excellent take on what it might be like to live through an average day from a dog's perspective.
No, Sam! is a dog... scratch that, human being (according to him) and he must navigate the world based on the limited knowledge he has from watching movies on t.v. His misunderstandings lead to a number of sticky situations, which lead to total chaos and mayhem, before the much anticipated happy ending with a delightful twist. This is a must-read for anyone with young kids and a dog.
October 14, 2025
Supersüßes und lustiges Kinderbuch ab 8 aus der Sicht des Mopses Sam, der bei seinem Besitzer wegläuft und bei seiner neuen Familie landet. Er nimmt sich vor, seine neuen "Nacktaffenwesen" vor den unzähligen Gefahren zu beschützen, die draußen lauern, und nimmt es dabei mit Nachbarn, Staubsaugern, Katzen und noch weiteren Feinden auf. Das Buch ist herrlich komisch und wird durch viele lustige kleine Illustrationen ergänzt. Das Ende hält einen richtigen Twist bereit, der mir persönlich etwas zu viel war, aber für Kinder wahrscheinlich richtig cool ist. Auf jeden Fall muss man Sam einfach gern haben!
August 23, 2024
Read this with my 8 year old as a read-aloud. It was laugh out loud funny for both of us! No Sam! Is about a dog who thinks he’s a human and sets off with the best intentions but always ends up in precarious situations. He thinks going to the bathroom outside is abhorrent, and much prefers the “pooping rug” inside. The entire book is full of silly situations like this. It was a delight!
Appropriate ages according to Novelist is 9-12 and I would agree. Some of the vocabulary was advanced for under 10 but it made for a good learning opportunity.
Appropriate ages according to Novelist is 9-12 and I would agree. Some of the vocabulary was advanced for under 10 but it made for a good learning opportunity.
December 10, 2024
This really reminded me of Diary of a Wimpy Kid, in that the narrator (in this case a goofy, clueless dog) completely misunderstands what is going on around him, but the readers will take pleasure in anticipating his mistakes. But then as the story goes on, you realize that the pictures tell an even wilder story with bad guys and spies, that "No Sam" is completely oblivious to. Fans of the "Mac Undercover" silly spy series will also like this. This definitely has high kid appeal.
February 12, 2025
This is the funniest, cutest children's book I've read in a long time!
The whole story revolves around Sam's view of the world, which is absolutely hysterical! He starts with calling himself a "human" and calls the humans he has contact with "monkey-things".
So much of what really happens is a total misinterpretation, that I started reading it aloud to the rest of my family and we spent a lot of time laughing.
This is a great lighthearted read!
The whole story revolves around Sam's view of the world, which is absolutely hysterical! He starts with calling himself a "human" and calls the humans he has contact with "monkey-things".
So much of what really happens is a total misinterpretation, that I started reading it aloud to the rest of my family and we spent a lot of time laughing.
This is a great lighthearted read!
May 19, 2025
Absolutely hilarious book. I read it while volunteering at my kids' book fair and ended up buying a copy for them to read (3rd and 6th grades) and donated a copy to the school. The jokes are so clever and yet so obvious - completely told through the eyes of a dog. The illustrations pair perfectly with the comments, in that what is written isn't necessarily funny unless you pay attention to the drawing.
January 25, 2024
(No) Sam is a dog who gets adopted by a family and becomes determined to protect them from enemies. I thought this was cute, but do wish that Sam had a bit more visible growth. I did like his quest to get rid of enemies and liked the drawings!
I received my copies from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
I received my copies from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
June 22, 2024
[I received a free electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]
4 stars = Great!
What a hoot! This has a fantastic voice, and a fun hook. I think kids will get a huge kick out of this. The illustrations are a lot of fun. Hand this to your dog lovers as well as kids who love diary-structured books.
4 stars = Great!
What a hoot! This has a fantastic voice, and a fun hook. I think kids will get a huge kick out of this. The illustrations are a lot of fun. Hand this to your dog lovers as well as kids who love diary-structured books.
June 12, 2024
Told in a diary format from pug Sam’s point of view, readers will giggle as Sam explains how he saves his family from such destruction as brain melting heat cannons (hair dryers) and ghost wolves (his reflection).
Oh, and Sam thinks HE’s a human being and his family are naked-monkey-things. Lots of laugh out loud moments!
Oh, and Sam thinks HE’s a human being and his family are naked-monkey-things. Lots of laugh out loud moments!
July 10, 2024
I had to buy this book for my school library because it's written by Drew Daywalt. I adore his books!
This story is the most ridiculously funny yet adorable kids chapter book that I've read in a while! Sam is hilarious and I love Drew's take on the mind of a dog. A great read indeed! The kids will love it!
This story is the most ridiculously funny yet adorable kids chapter book that I've read in a while! Sam is hilarious and I love Drew's take on the mind of a dog. A great read indeed! The kids will love it!
March 24, 2025
I literally laughed out loud reading this. The balance of reality and fantastical is just right. Daywalt captures doggie logic brilliantly. Lowery's illustrations are exactly right. While kiddos will certainly enjoy reading this themselves, it would also be a great family read-together. (Or grown-up read alone, too 😂)
July 23, 2024
"This howlingly funny tale propels its doggy narrator through challenges ranging from explosions and dognapping to actually making friends with cats on the way to a well-earned name change: 'Good boy, Sam.' " [Booklist]
August 6, 2024
My kids loved this book from the author of The Day the Crayons Quit. They said it was really funny. Perfect for kids who grew up loving the Crayon series picture books but ready for chapter books! Written from the perspective of “No Sam.”
August 25, 2024
I bought this for my fourth grade granddaughter. And loved it.
I think she will too. And although it says 8-12 on the cover, I think 6-10 is more like it.
So funny. But you have to think like a dog to get it. Which is just lovely.
I think she will too. And although it says 8-12 on the cover, I think 6-10 is more like it.
So funny. But you have to think like a dog to get it. Which is just lovely.
October 15, 2024
We're on our FIFTH read of this with our son. We finish, and then he wants to go right back to chapter one. It cracks me up! Reading it together at bedtime has been wonderful. Plus, we're all a bit more empathetic with our dog when she does dog things.
April 14, 2025
This book is really funny! My son is 10 he read it first and I had to read it after he told me how funny it is ! I read it to my 4 year old son and he was just laughing along. We absolutely love it !
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