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Samson in the Snow
One sunny day Samson, a large and friendly woolly mammoth, encounters a little red bird who is looking for yellow flowers for her mouse friend (whose favorite color is yellow). As she flies off with the flowers, Samson wonders what it must be like to have a friend. He wonders this for so long, in fact, that he falls asleep and wakes up to a world covered in snow. In the midst of a blizzard, Samson finds and shelters the little red bird and flower-loving mouse in a tender tale of kindness and unexpected friendship.
40 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2016
About the author
Philip C. Stead
28 books245 followersPhilip C. Stead is the author of the Caldecott Medal winning book A Sick Day for Amos McGee, also named a New York Times Best Illustrated Book of 2010 and a Publishers Weekly Best Children’s Book of 2010, illustrated by his wife, Erin E. Stead. Together with Erin, he also created Bear Has a Story to Tell, an E.B. White Read-Aloud Award honor book. Philip, also an artist, has written and illustrated several of his own books including Hello, My Name is Ruby, Jonathan and the Big Blue Boat, A Home for Bird, and his debut Creamed Tuna Fish and Peas on Toast, which was applauded by School Library Journal for “its wry humor and illustrations worthy of a Roald Dahl creation.” Philip lives with Erin and their dog, Wednesday, in a 100-year-old barn in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 166 reviews
November 5, 2016
One of eight books I read to my son on his eighth birthday, this one was far and away the best. Another gentle story of friendship from Philip Stead. The illustrations are simply beautiful, as is the story's message. This book is dedicated "TO ANYONE WHO IS HAVING A BAD DAY"...just like that, in all caps so as not to be missed. What a wonderful way to start and a fantastic talking point for children of all ages. 4.5 stars
December 30, 2018
Samson the woolly mammoth tends to his dandelion patch in solitude in this sweet picture-book, until a little red bird happens along and asks for some yellow flowers for her friend, a downhearted mouse. Giving this avian visitor three blossoms, Samson watches her depart, wondering what it is like to have a friend. Eventually falling asleep, he awakens to a snowy world, and thinking with worry of the little red bird lost in the cold, sets out to find her. Along the way he rescues two small creatures and makes not one, but two new friends...
Philip C. Stead, author of the award-winning A Sick Day for Amos McGee - Stead's wife and sometime partner, Erin E. Stead, won a Caldecott Medal for the illustrations she created for 'Amos McGee' - delivers an engaging tale of loneliness and finding friendship in Samson in the Snow. Pairing his heartwarming story with lovely artwork that perfectly captures the bright warmth of summer, and then the wondrous and sometimes indistinct appeal of cold snowy landscapes, Stead delivers a book in which the visuals are well-matched to the text. Recommended to anyone looking for children's stories featuring the themes of friendship, as well as to anyone who finds wintry vistas appealing.
Philip C. Stead, author of the award-winning A Sick Day for Amos McGee - Stead's wife and sometime partner, Erin E. Stead, won a Caldecott Medal for the illustrations she created for 'Amos McGee' - delivers an engaging tale of loneliness and finding friendship in Samson in the Snow. Pairing his heartwarming story with lovely artwork that perfectly captures the bright warmth of summer, and then the wondrous and sometimes indistinct appeal of cold snowy landscapes, Stead delivers a book in which the visuals are well-matched to the text. Recommended to anyone looking for children's stories featuring the themes of friendship, as well as to anyone who finds wintry vistas appealing.
January 15, 2020
Samson in the Snow by Philip C. Stead had me at the dedication—“TO ANYONE WHO IS HAVING A BAD DAY.” That’s all it took. Boom! I was all in. This is a simple story, but…aren’t those the ones that seem to pull on our heart strings the hardest?
We follow Samson as he searches and worries for a little red bird in the snow. We follow as he searches for a friend. This sweet tale about a woolly mammoth, a bird, a mouse, and some dandelions in the snow is full of friendship and kindness and connection. Every snowy step and page said so much!
“All around, the world was different from before. Samson could hardly tell what was where and where was what. Every direction was white snow.”
I wasn't over the moon happy about the art, but the dashes of yellows and reds really brightened up the snow and cold. The colors gave me a lift.
So it’s official--Mr. Stead is a genius and gem! I adore the man.
Highly recommended.
January 2, 2020
A lovely and gentle children’s story of friendship, caring, and persevering through (brief) adversity. This beautifully-illustrated picture book has subtle messages about caring for those smaller than us, and reminded me a bit of Horton Hears a Who, though much calmer and simpler in tone.
It can be read on another level as containing references to mental health, as well: Samson the woolly mammoth starts out slow, sleepy, and lonely (similar to symptoms of depression). He gains confidence and energy, as he ventures out of his “comfort zone” (his dandelion patch), into the world.
In his journey to help a new acquaintance (about whom he is worried), he begins to help himself as well, and learns how to make a friend... in fact, two friends.
Recommended! This is a lovely story to enjoy in and of itself, with any child. It could also be read by a parent, teacher, counselor, or grandparent, to children who are introverted, shy, have trouble making friends, or are experiencing mental health symptoms.
It can be read on another level as containing references to mental health, as well: Samson the woolly mammoth starts out slow, sleepy, and lonely (similar to symptoms of depression). He gains confidence and energy, as he ventures out of his “comfort zone” (his dandelion patch), into the world.
In his journey to help a new acquaintance (about whom he is worried), he begins to help himself as well, and learns how to make a friend... in fact, two friends.
Recommended! This is a lovely story to enjoy in and of itself, with any child. It could also be read by a parent, teacher, counselor, or grandparent, to children who are introverted, shy, have trouble making friends, or are experiencing mental health symptoms.
October 18, 2016
When a sunny days turns suddenly snowy, Samson, a friendly woolly mammoth, sets out to help a little red bird he encountered earlier and meets another friend along the way.
I liked the wordless spreads that were interspersed throughout the story and the vein of friendship that drives it forward. The choice of a woolly mammoth as the main character was refreshing and a sure fire draw.
Oil pastels, charcoal, and cardboard printed artwork. PreK-2.
I liked the wordless spreads that were interspersed throughout the story and the vein of friendship that drives it forward. The choice of a woolly mammoth as the main character was refreshing and a sure fire draw.
Oil pastels, charcoal, and cardboard printed artwork. PreK-2.
October 18, 2016
A sweet slow story with very mild peril to be savored by more mature little ones. It made me tear up while reading. I did not expect to like it but it hit all the right notes. Definitely not for story time, but for older kids and for one-on-one sharing.
Read
December 25, 2016"'It is better to walk than to worry,' he decided."
November 12, 2018
One sunny day Samson, a large and friendly woolly mammoth, encounters a little red bird who is looking for yellow flowers for her mouse friend (whose favorite color is yellow). As she flies off with the flowers, Samson wonders what it must be like to have a friend. He wonders this for so long, in fact, that he falls asleep and wakes up to a world covered in snow. In the midst of a blizzard, Samson finds and shelters the little red bird and flower-loving mouse in a tender tale of kindness and unexpected friendship.
OK - I will be brutally honest here... I have no idea what this book is doing in the California Young Reader Nominees. No matter how emotional or exciting I tried to read it with the kids it was about as anticlimactic as a flat tether ball! The characters were an odd assortment, the story line went no where, the characters were boring, the ending was atrocious (I said I would be honest). It was a good thing the THE END was on the last page or the kids would have been asking me "What?" And I wouldn't have been able to answer them with anything reasonable sounding! The artwork was interesting, but not much was happening so it was rather boring.
Sorry - this one was a stinker.
OK - I will be brutally honest here... I have no idea what this book is doing in the California Young Reader Nominees. No matter how emotional or exciting I tried to read it with the kids it was about as anticlimactic as a flat tether ball! The characters were an odd assortment, the story line went no where, the characters were boring, the ending was atrocious (I said I would be honest). It was a good thing the THE END was on the last page or the kids would have been asking me "What?" And I wouldn't have been able to answer them with anything reasonable sounding! The artwork was interesting, but not much was happening so it was rather boring.
Sorry - this one was a stinker.
November 17, 2017
What a sweet story about commonalities and friendships! And not to mention perseverance and kindness--this book seems to have it all! Friendships seem to occur in funny ways, and maintaining them can be even funnier. Filled with Stead's great narrative and beautiful illustrations, this is a perfect book to cozy up with in the middle of winter, hot cocoa in hand.
Review cross-listed here!
Review cross-listed here!
April 3, 2017
I am, admittedly, usually not a huge fan of Philip C. Stead's solo works. This book is the exception! I love the artwork and the use of color throughout. A book about making friends always has a place in a young person's library.
December 10, 2017
Stunning illustrations, a sweet story of unlikely friendship, and one of my favorite lines ever: “It is better to walk than to worry.”
January 26, 2017
Samson in the Snow by Philip C. Stead begins by introducing Samson and his only friend, his dandelion patch. While Samson is tending to it on the sunny day, a red bird lands and asks if he can have three of Samson’s flowers. The red bird explains that his friend is having a rough day and that he thinks the flowers will cheer him up because his favorite color is yellow. Samson happily gives the red bird the dandelions and the bird flies away. While wondering what it’d be like to have a friend, Samson falls asleep and dreams of his favorite color, yellow. Clouds begin covering the sky and snow pours down. Samson wakes up in the snowstorm and worries about the little bird, which, unknown by Samson, is starting to be covered by snow. Samson begins walking in search for the little bird and on his journey, through the hills and wind, he meets a mouse. To keep the mouse warm and safe from the snowstorm, Samson invites the mouse along. Tucked in Samson’s fur, the mouse explains he also is looking for someone, a small friend. Stopping next to a small patch of dandelions, Samson asks the mouse his favorite color, to which the mouse answers yellow. Samson plucks the dandelions from the snow, but he ends up finding more than just dandelions.
The setting of this story begins on a sunny day in a grassy field filled with dandelions. However, the setting quickly changes as a snowstorm tumbles in. The setting becomes gloomy and stormy, well-depicted by the illustrations of the dark blue, purple, and black sky. The new setting parallels the current melancholy tone of the story, which was created by Samson’s loneliness. Samson’s struggle to find a friend becomes the main conflict of the plot. However, there is an evident person-against-nature conflict, as Samson, the bird, and the mouse try to survive through the snowstorm. As Samson walks along, the setting is filled with snow-covered hills and valleys, making it more difficult to find the small bird. The author uses the color yellow and dandelions as foreshadowing to give the audience hope of a happy ending.
Overall, I thought the book was interesting and well written and illustrated. The illustrations provide a greater understanding of the story by portraying the setting, characters, and plot artistically. They also serve a great purpose of furthering the plot without the accompaniment of words. The various colors used in the illustrations helped developed the different tones in the book. At first, I thought that maybe this book was a bit too dark and gloomy for children, but upon reflection, I think that the story sends a good message of showing kindness and finding friendship. Not all stories need to start and end happy. Reading this book is a worthy way to depict the ups and downs of life to children.
The setting of this story begins on a sunny day in a grassy field filled with dandelions. However, the setting quickly changes as a snowstorm tumbles in. The setting becomes gloomy and stormy, well-depicted by the illustrations of the dark blue, purple, and black sky. The new setting parallels the current melancholy tone of the story, which was created by Samson’s loneliness. Samson’s struggle to find a friend becomes the main conflict of the plot. However, there is an evident person-against-nature conflict, as Samson, the bird, and the mouse try to survive through the snowstorm. As Samson walks along, the setting is filled with snow-covered hills and valleys, making it more difficult to find the small bird. The author uses the color yellow and dandelions as foreshadowing to give the audience hope of a happy ending.
Overall, I thought the book was interesting and well written and illustrated. The illustrations provide a greater understanding of the story by portraying the setting, characters, and plot artistically. They also serve a great purpose of furthering the plot without the accompaniment of words. The various colors used in the illustrations helped developed the different tones in the book. At first, I thought that maybe this book was a bit too dark and gloomy for children, but upon reflection, I think that the story sends a good message of showing kindness and finding friendship. Not all stories need to start and end happy. Reading this book is a worthy way to depict the ups and downs of life to children.
April 3, 2016
“A common flower, a weed that no one sees… But for us, a noble thing, the dandelion.” Thus is the humble dandelion beatified in Ray Bradbury’s Dandelion Wine. In Philip C. Stead’s Samson in the Snow, Samson, a lone wooly mammoth, tends his dandelion patch with a level of care and attention that suggests he feels a similar way about these tiny bursts of sunshine. He is waiting for a friend, you see. But for now, the flowers are his sole company.
Then, a little red bird visits him (is that you, friend of Ruby?) and asks to take some flowers for her friend who “is having a bad day,” and whose “favorite color is yellow.” Samson tenderly gathers a few flowers for her to take, sees her on her way, then falls asleep, dreaming of “the color yellow.”
He wakes to white all over, as a blizzard has befallen the previously summery landscape. Samson is worried about the little red bird being caught in the storm--so worried, in fact, that he goes in search of her. I don’t want to give too much away, but suffice it to say Samson ends up with two more friends than he had before.
Philip Stead creates stories of friendship that gently nudge open your heart, filling it with warmth, magic, and inspiration. Each book of his is transformative to its readers. Dedicated to “anyone who is having a bad day,” Samson is a picture book that will definitely transform readers (and probably their days, too). Stead’s consistently innovative and expressive art (a combination of monoprint, pastels, etc.) is on display here, rendered in a limited palette of blues, greys, and browns with bright splashes of yellow (of course) and red. That final spread, showing Samson and his new friends after the storm has passed? Pure happiness, put on the page. Stead’s pacing here is also particularly poignant, as wordless spreads inform readers about the little red bird’s distress as Samson searches for her.
Reading this book is like receiving a lovingly-gathered bunch of flowers from a dear friend. It is brimming with kindness, heart, and comfort. It should be read over and over and over. For those children who understand what it is to be lonely, to yearn for friendship, this book will be exactly what they need--a gentle, touching reminder that friends can be found where you least expect them.
Then, a little red bird visits him (is that you, friend of Ruby?) and asks to take some flowers for her friend who “is having a bad day,” and whose “favorite color is yellow.” Samson tenderly gathers a few flowers for her to take, sees her on her way, then falls asleep, dreaming of “the color yellow.”
He wakes to white all over, as a blizzard has befallen the previously summery landscape. Samson is worried about the little red bird being caught in the storm--so worried, in fact, that he goes in search of her. I don’t want to give too much away, but suffice it to say Samson ends up with two more friends than he had before.
Philip Stead creates stories of friendship that gently nudge open your heart, filling it with warmth, magic, and inspiration. Each book of his is transformative to its readers. Dedicated to “anyone who is having a bad day,” Samson is a picture book that will definitely transform readers (and probably their days, too). Stead’s consistently innovative and expressive art (a combination of monoprint, pastels, etc.) is on display here, rendered in a limited palette of blues, greys, and browns with bright splashes of yellow (of course) and red. That final spread, showing Samson and his new friends after the storm has passed? Pure happiness, put on the page. Stead’s pacing here is also particularly poignant, as wordless spreads inform readers about the little red bird’s distress as Samson searches for her.
Reading this book is like receiving a lovingly-gathered bunch of flowers from a dear friend. It is brimming with kindness, heart, and comfort. It should be read over and over and over. For those children who understand what it is to be lonely, to yearn for friendship, this book will be exactly what they need--a gentle, touching reminder that friends can be found where you least expect them.
Read
November 16, 2016TO
ANYONE WHO IS HAVING A BAD DAY
Reading a dedication such as this lets you know you are holding hope in your hands. We all have waking hours we would like to fast forward or rewind; some of them worse than others. Knowing everyone has these moments binds us together as members of the human race. If we are fortunate one or more will reach out a helping hand.
When you read titles such as A Home for Bird, Bear Has a Story to Tell, Hello, My Name is Ruby, Sebastian and the Balloon, and Lenny & Lucy each focusing on compassion and friendship, each written by the same author as the dedication shown above, you know his newest title will give you those very same things. It will encourage you to look at your world with intention. Samson in the Snow (A Neal Porter Book, Roaring Brook Press, September 27, 2016) written and illustrated by Philip C. Stead is a gentle story wrapped in a timeless truth.
My full recommendation: http://librariansquest.blogspot.com/2...
ANYONE WHO IS HAVING A BAD DAY
Reading a dedication such as this lets you know you are holding hope in your hands. We all have waking hours we would like to fast forward or rewind; some of them worse than others. Knowing everyone has these moments binds us together as members of the human race. If we are fortunate one or more will reach out a helping hand.
When you read titles such as A Home for Bird, Bear Has a Story to Tell, Hello, My Name is Ruby, Sebastian and the Balloon, and Lenny & Lucy each focusing on compassion and friendship, each written by the same author as the dedication shown above, you know his newest title will give you those very same things. It will encourage you to look at your world with intention. Samson in the Snow (A Neal Porter Book, Roaring Brook Press, September 27, 2016) written and illustrated by Philip C. Stead is a gentle story wrapped in a timeless truth.
My full recommendation: http://librariansquest.blogspot.com/2...
November 1, 2016
A beautiful peaceful story about being a friend to someone when the storms come. Wonderful illustrations that make one feel the world is overpowering when the storms come. Lots of deep meanings here as well as a basic storyline of three animal creatures showing friendship.
October 1, 2016
Simple and quiet. Beautiful illustrations
October 11, 2016
Good story on friendship. Felt like the story ended abruptly.
January 25, 2017
What a great book for teaching kids about kindness!
January 21, 2017
Samson in the Snow is a wonderful story of friendship and caring about each other.
Picture book, fiction
Interest level: Pre-K through 3rd grade; reading level: 3.0
Samson is a caring woolly mammoth who loves the color yellow and enjoys caring for his dandelion patch. One day he is visited by a small red bird who asks for some of his dandelions to take to a friend who is not having a good day. Samson obliges, and after the red bird has gone, ponders what it would be like to have a friend.
What is so wonderful about the story though, is that Samson already knows how to be a good friend. When a strong storm blankets the area in snow, Samson worries about the red bird, knowing that he is not equipped to survive this type of weather, like Samson is.
Philip Stead's illustrations are the perfect accompaniment to this sweet story. The characters are cute and engaging, and Stead's style perfectly illustrates the blizzard. Children will fall in love with this group of unlikely friends who all share the love of yellow.
Samson in the Snow
by Philip C. Stead
A Neal Porter Book, Roaring Brook Press, 2016
ISBN: 978-1-62672-182-1
Picture book, fiction
Interest level: Pre-K through 3rd grade; reading level: 3.0
Samson is a caring woolly mammoth who loves the color yellow and enjoys caring for his dandelion patch. One day he is visited by a small red bird who asks for some of his dandelions to take to a friend who is not having a good day. Samson obliges, and after the red bird has gone, ponders what it would be like to have a friend.
What is so wonderful about the story though, is that Samson already knows how to be a good friend. When a strong storm blankets the area in snow, Samson worries about the red bird, knowing that he is not equipped to survive this type of weather, like Samson is.
Samson stared hard into the blinding snow. "It is better to walk than to worry," he decided. And so he did.And so Samson goes searching for the bird. True friends do not sit idly by, but do what they can.
Philip Stead's illustrations are the perfect accompaniment to this sweet story. The characters are cute and engaging, and Stead's style perfectly illustrates the blizzard. Children will fall in love with this group of unlikely friends who all share the love of yellow.
Samson in the Snow
by Philip C. Stead
A Neal Porter Book, Roaring Brook Press, 2016
ISBN: 978-1-62672-182-1
September 5, 2018
Summary: Samson is a mammoth who likes to tend to his garden of yellow flowers. One day a little red bird comes up and notices the yellow flowers. The bird asks to take a few to cheer up his friend who has had a terrible day. Samson lets him take 3 flowers for the road, and then takes a nap. When He wakes from his slumber the grass that was once green has a blanket of white on it. He is worried about his little bird friend so he goes on a walk to try and find him. During his walk, Samson runs into a mouse. This mouse is also looking for a friend, but is very cold. So, Samson suggests that he get on his back and ride until he sees his friend. The two continue on for a while until they come upon a patch of yellow flowers in the snow. Samson picks them up, but attached to them is the little bird. he had been snowed over! The mouse found his friend and was given the flowers to brighten his bad day, also Samson helped two new friends find their way to a warm cave until the storm finished.
Evidence: I think that this story had great illustrations, story line, and a good message. The evidence from this would be the detailed pictures showing contrasting colors like yellows and blues, as well as the words stating the willingness to help new friends.
Teaching idea: A teaching idea would be to teach empathy to the students. This would mean that they are feeling the emotions for the different animals. This could show the difference between sympathy and empathy or simply just empathy alone. Having Samson worry about a bird he just met and want to look for him as well as him finding the mouse and giving him warmth can be considered as empathy for the two animals.
Evidence: I think that this story had great illustrations, story line, and a good message. The evidence from this would be the detailed pictures showing contrasting colors like yellows and blues, as well as the words stating the willingness to help new friends.
Teaching idea: A teaching idea would be to teach empathy to the students. This would mean that they are feeling the emotions for the different animals. This could show the difference between sympathy and empathy or simply just empathy alone. Having Samson worry about a bird he just met and want to look for him as well as him finding the mouse and giving him warmth can be considered as empathy for the two animals.
September 7, 2018
Summary:
This story is about a woolly mammoth named Samson. He is out for a walk one day and comes across a small red bird. The red bird claims to be looking for some yellow flowers for her friend, mouse. She flies off with the flowers and a snow storm blows over which happened once Samson had fallen asleep. When he awoke, he was nervous for the small red bird so he went out to find her. While on the journey he finds a mouse who is looking for his friend, who is the same person Samson is trying to find. The wander around looking for the small red bird when they come across her with the yellow flowers for mouse. Samson finds them some shelter in which they stay throughout the snow storm.
Evaluate:
I personally did not really enjoy this story. I think that it was really long for what could have all been said in a pretty short story. The pictures were absolutely beautiful so I loved that about the book. I think that this book would be a good book to read to small children because they just love looking at all of the pictures and I also think that it would be cool to try and have the children infer what were to happen next.
Teaching Point:
For this book, I would use it to show the students how it is important to look into depth with the pictures. On some of the pages, you see that they are foreshadowing what is going to happen in the book just like when you saw the red bird in the snowflake. I think that if you were to do that you could have the students either learn what inferring is or they can enhance their knowledge on inferring just by looking at those pictures.
This story is about a woolly mammoth named Samson. He is out for a walk one day and comes across a small red bird. The red bird claims to be looking for some yellow flowers for her friend, mouse. She flies off with the flowers and a snow storm blows over which happened once Samson had fallen asleep. When he awoke, he was nervous for the small red bird so he went out to find her. While on the journey he finds a mouse who is looking for his friend, who is the same person Samson is trying to find. The wander around looking for the small red bird when they come across her with the yellow flowers for mouse. Samson finds them some shelter in which they stay throughout the snow storm.
Evaluate:
I personally did not really enjoy this story. I think that it was really long for what could have all been said in a pretty short story. The pictures were absolutely beautiful so I loved that about the book. I think that this book would be a good book to read to small children because they just love looking at all of the pictures and I also think that it would be cool to try and have the children infer what were to happen next.
Teaching Point:
For this book, I would use it to show the students how it is important to look into depth with the pictures. On some of the pages, you see that they are foreshadowing what is going to happen in the book just like when you saw the red bird in the snowflake. I think that if you were to do that you could have the students either learn what inferring is or they can enhance their knowledge on inferring just by looking at those pictures.
October 23, 2018
Summary:
Samson was lonely, without friends, and his flowers kept him company. A bird came along and asked for some flowers for a friend, and Samson gave some of his best looking flowers to the bird. As Samson was wondering, he fell into a deep sleep and dreamt of the color yellow as he slept. As he was asleep, snow began to fall. When he awoke, samson did not know where he was, and he began to worry about the little bird. He walked through harsh weather and he thought that he must save the bird from the snow. He almost stepped on a mouse during his trek, and they began to travel together. They eventually found out they were both looking for someone. Samson found the bird, and he picked her up and continued on. Samson, the bird, and the mouse made it to a cave, and they all became friends.
Evaluation:
I thought this book was okay, but I thought that the story line was a tad weird and it did not make much sense to me. I believe that the theme of the story was to always help others, but it took me a while and required a lot of deep thinking to come up with a theme idea. I would possibly have this book in my classroom library, but it's not at the top of my list.
Teaching Idea:
Although I personally was not a huge fan of the book, I think that it would be a great read aloud to teach students about visualization. There are specific colors expressed in the story, as well as different animals and feelings, and I think that this book would do a good job at helping teach students to visualize what they are reading.
Samson was lonely, without friends, and his flowers kept him company. A bird came along and asked for some flowers for a friend, and Samson gave some of his best looking flowers to the bird. As Samson was wondering, he fell into a deep sleep and dreamt of the color yellow as he slept. As he was asleep, snow began to fall. When he awoke, samson did not know where he was, and he began to worry about the little bird. He walked through harsh weather and he thought that he must save the bird from the snow. He almost stepped on a mouse during his trek, and they began to travel together. They eventually found out they were both looking for someone. Samson found the bird, and he picked her up and continued on. Samson, the bird, and the mouse made it to a cave, and they all became friends.
Evaluation:
I thought this book was okay, but I thought that the story line was a tad weird and it did not make much sense to me. I believe that the theme of the story was to always help others, but it took me a while and required a lot of deep thinking to come up with a theme idea. I would possibly have this book in my classroom library, but it's not at the top of my list.
Teaching Idea:
Although I personally was not a huge fan of the book, I think that it would be a great read aloud to teach students about visualization. There are specific colors expressed in the story, as well as different animals and feelings, and I think that this book would do a good job at helping teach students to visualize what they are reading.
September 6, 2018
Samson in Snow has three animal characters a wooly mammoth, a little red bird, and a small mouse. Samson is the mammoth that is lonely in a field of yellow birds. A little red bird visits him to request to have some yellow flowers to cheer up her friend. As a kind gesture, Samson gives the little red bird three flowers, and the red bird is grateful and leaves. The season change and it is now the winter, Samson becomes concerned about the red bird and goes to look for her, in the process he meets a little mouse. By the end of the story, the little red bird is found in the snow, and the mammoth now has friends, a mouse, and the red bird.
This book is a sweet story about the friendship between three animals. I thought it incorporated colors and season while discussing a topic of feelings such as loneliness and happiness. The story includes bright colors and will grasp the attention of students.
In the classroom, this book can incorporate the transition of seasons and assist the teacher in portraying the difference between the weather in the book. Additionally, this book is an excellent resource for teaching the comparison of different animals. Finally, the final way a teacher could incorporate this book into a lesson plan is teaching colors; it discusses the colors of different animals, flowers, and surrounding. Students will receive a written and visual understanding of color and numbers from this book.
This book is a sweet story about the friendship between three animals. I thought it incorporated colors and season while discussing a topic of feelings such as loneliness and happiness. The story includes bright colors and will grasp the attention of students.
In the classroom, this book can incorporate the transition of seasons and assist the teacher in portraying the difference between the weather in the book. Additionally, this book is an excellent resource for teaching the comparison of different animals. Finally, the final way a teacher could incorporate this book into a lesson plan is teaching colors; it discusses the colors of different animals, flowers, and surrounding. Students will receive a written and visual understanding of color and numbers from this book.
September 5, 2018
Summary: On a walk, Samson, a mammoth, meets a little red bird searching for flowers to give to her friend the mouse. Only yellow flowers will work because yellow is the mouse’s favorite color. When the little red bird finds the yellow flowers, she flies away to gift them to her friend. When she flies away, Samson begins to wonder what it would be like to have a friend. He falls asleep dreaming of friends and the color yellow. When he wakes up he is in the middle of a blizzard! He continues his walk and happens upon the little red bird and her friend the mouse. Being the kind, friendly mammoth he is, Samson shelters the mouse and bird from the freezing weather and an unexpected friendship begins.
Evaluation: I believe Philip Stead has done an excellent job portraying the unexpectancy of friendship in a simple and artistic way. By utilizing the different shades of blue and white for the blizzard, the bright contrast of yellow, the mouse’s favorite color, made this book visually engaging and cheerful.
Teaching Idea: I would use this text in my 5th grade classroom for an animal compare and contrast activity. The variety of animals also emphasises the unlikely friendship between them all; this would be an effective friendship or diversity lesson. The friendship or diversity lesson can be focused on how all people are different, but we can and should be friends with all people.
Evaluation: I believe Philip Stead has done an excellent job portraying the unexpectancy of friendship in a simple and artistic way. By utilizing the different shades of blue and white for the blizzard, the bright contrast of yellow, the mouse’s favorite color, made this book visually engaging and cheerful.
Teaching Idea: I would use this text in my 5th grade classroom for an animal compare and contrast activity. The variety of animals also emphasises the unlikely friendship between them all; this would be an effective friendship or diversity lesson. The friendship or diversity lesson can be focused on how all people are different, but we can and should be friends with all people.
September 1, 2018
Summary:
Samson is a mammoth who likes to grown is little patch of yellow dandelions. One day a red bird asks him if he could take a few of the flowers for his friend who was having a bad day. Samson picks the best three flowers he has and gives them to the bird. As the bird flies away, Samson wonders what it would be like to have a friend and he falls asleep. When he wakes up, he is covered in snow and he becomes worried about the red bird since he is not equipped to deal with cold weather. As Samson sets off to find the bird he also stumbles on a mouse. The mouse is also looks for a friend and Samson offers to give him a lift. They eventually find a little patch of yellow dandelions and find the red bird with them. Samson picks up the bird, who is too cold to move. They make it to a cave where the bird warms up and tells the mouse that the yellow flowers were for him since he was having a bad day. Samson finally has two little friends.
Evaluation:
This book showcases how valuable friendship is. When Samson doesn't have a friend he wonders what having one would be like. He dedicates himself to finding the bird that could possibly die due to the weather. The bird isn't even his friend yet and he is determined to find him. The bird is also very loyal to his mouse friend for getting him flower when he isn't having a good day.
Teaching Idea:
Teachers can use this picture book to help explain different characters experiences. While Samson and the mouse are out looking for the bird, what is the bird going through? How does the bird feel when he can't find his friend. What might the mouse be thinking right before Samson is about to step on him. Students need to be able to understand that characters (and people) have thoughts and experiences even when the book is not focuses on them at the time.
Samson is a mammoth who likes to grown is little patch of yellow dandelions. One day a red bird asks him if he could take a few of the flowers for his friend who was having a bad day. Samson picks the best three flowers he has and gives them to the bird. As the bird flies away, Samson wonders what it would be like to have a friend and he falls asleep. When he wakes up, he is covered in snow and he becomes worried about the red bird since he is not equipped to deal with cold weather. As Samson sets off to find the bird he also stumbles on a mouse. The mouse is also looks for a friend and Samson offers to give him a lift. They eventually find a little patch of yellow dandelions and find the red bird with them. Samson picks up the bird, who is too cold to move. They make it to a cave where the bird warms up and tells the mouse that the yellow flowers were for him since he was having a bad day. Samson finally has two little friends.
Evaluation:
This book showcases how valuable friendship is. When Samson doesn't have a friend he wonders what having one would be like. He dedicates himself to finding the bird that could possibly die due to the weather. The bird isn't even his friend yet and he is determined to find him. The bird is also very loyal to his mouse friend for getting him flower when he isn't having a good day.
Teaching Idea:
Teachers can use this picture book to help explain different characters experiences. While Samson and the mouse are out looking for the bird, what is the bird going through? How does the bird feel when he can't find his friend. What might the mouse be thinking right before Samson is about to step on him. Students need to be able to understand that characters (and people) have thoughts and experiences even when the book is not focuses on them at the time.
September 29, 2018
Summary:
This book is about a mammoth named Sampson who wished to have friends. His favorite color was yellow. He even dreamed of yellow. One day he fell asleep and instead of dreaming about the color yellow he dreamed of the color white. This is when he woke up to a blizzard. During the blizzard Sampson came upon a red bird and a mouse. He saved the two little animals from the blizzard. In the end they all became friends.
Evaluation:
This book was very easy to read. I like how the book used different types of animals to make the point that you can be friends with anyone.
Teaching Idea:
This book could be used to introduce the concept of extinct animals The main character, Samson, is a mammoth. Discussing with students what type of animal he is would help them understand more about that animal. The teacher could find some information about a mammoth. The teacher may even want to include some educational videos to help students have a visual picture of what these animals looked like. One fun idea that the teacher could include is watching the movie, Ice Age. This movie also has a mammoth in it and introduces some other extinct animals that the students could learn about.
This book is about a mammoth named Sampson who wished to have friends. His favorite color was yellow. He even dreamed of yellow. One day he fell asleep and instead of dreaming about the color yellow he dreamed of the color white. This is when he woke up to a blizzard. During the blizzard Sampson came upon a red bird and a mouse. He saved the two little animals from the blizzard. In the end they all became friends.
Evaluation:
This book was very easy to read. I like how the book used different types of animals to make the point that you can be friends with anyone.
Teaching Idea:
This book could be used to introduce the concept of extinct animals The main character, Samson, is a mammoth. Discussing with students what type of animal he is would help them understand more about that animal. The teacher could find some information about a mammoth. The teacher may even want to include some educational videos to help students have a visual picture of what these animals looked like. One fun idea that the teacher could include is watching the movie, Ice Age. This movie also has a mammoth in it and introduces some other extinct animals that the students could learn about.
September 1, 2018
Summary: Samson was all-alone. One day a red bird came and said hello. The bird asked to a bouquet of flowers for his friends, in which Samson gave them to him. Samson wondered what it would be like to have a friend. Snow fell on top of Samson and woke him up. Samson wondered if the little bird was out there somewhere and cold. He went to look for the bird. Samson stumbled upon a mouse on his way and asked him to join him for warmth on his journey. Samson found a dandelion and pulled it. Attached was the cold little bird. Samson took the bird into a cave to get warm. Samson and the bird and the mouse all became friends.
Evaluation: This is a very sweet book about friendship and overcoming hard times. This would be cute to read in lower grades. This could also teach about seasons and colors.
Teaching Idea: The teaching idea I have for this book is that any kind of people can become friends. The animals in the book are very different, but they were still kind to each other and became friends.
Evaluation: This is a very sweet book about friendship and overcoming hard times. This would be cute to read in lower grades. This could also teach about seasons and colors.
Teaching Idea: The teaching idea I have for this book is that any kind of people can become friends. The animals in the book are very different, but they were still kind to each other and became friends.
September 11, 2018
Summary: This book is about Samson who makes friends with a red bird. Samson loves the color yellow and flowers. He gets caught in a snow storm and cannot find his friend the red bird. Samson begins a quest for his friend and ends up meeting a mouse who also is looking for the red bird. Finally the two friends fin the bird under a yellow flower. The two small animals hide under Samson's fury coat until the snow is gone and they can enjoy the flowers together.
Evaluation: This is a sweet book about friendship and sharing. The is perfect for lower elementary school students. I liked the book. However, I did not feel like there was super well developed plot line, but I do like the simplicity of it.
Teaching Idea: I think this would be a great book to teach using descriptive words when writing. While reading, I would have students take turns writing descriptive words the author uses on an anchor chart. After reading, students will use writing journals to write a story about an animal of their choice using descriptive words. Students will highlight these words in their journals.
Evaluation: This is a sweet book about friendship and sharing. The is perfect for lower elementary school students. I liked the book. However, I did not feel like there was super well developed plot line, but I do like the simplicity of it.
Teaching Idea: I think this would be a great book to teach using descriptive words when writing. While reading, I would have students take turns writing descriptive words the author uses on an anchor chart. After reading, students will use writing journals to write a story about an animal of their choice using descriptive words. Students will highlight these words in their journals.
September 12, 2025
Samson the mammoth patiently tends his dandelion patch while waiting to find a friend. One day a red bird hops up and asks if they may have a few dandelions for a friend who's having a bad day. Samson is pleased to share and hopes that this is the beginning of a friendship. While waiting to see if the red bird returns Samson falls asleep while dreaming of dandelions. While he is asleep it begins to snow and when Samson wakes up he worries about the red bird getting lost in the snow. Samson wisely believes that walking is better than worrying so he begins to walk to see if he can locate the red bird. Along the way he encounters a small mouse who is also waiting for a friend. Together they continued to walk until Samson all of a sudden sees a patch of dandelions stuck in the snow. When he picks up the dandelions he discovers the red bird. Samson and the mouse rejoice at seeing their friend again.
September 11, 2018
Summary
This book follows Samson, the lonely mammoth, he takes care of his dandelions and hopes for a friend. One day a little Red Bird asked for some of Samson’s dandelions. After the bird flies away a sudden snow storm coats the world in white. Worried for the little Red Bird, Samson sets off to find his potential new friend.
Evaluation
I loved this book. The pictures were great and the story of lonely Samson was so sweet. I would recommend this book to anyone. It is a story that shows a sweet friendship between the three characters. I think that anyone would enjoy this book.
Teaching Idea
For this book I would do a lesson on what makes a good friend. After reading the book I would have students journal and draw a picture of what makes a good friend. Students would share their characteristics of what makes a good friend.
This book follows Samson, the lonely mammoth, he takes care of his dandelions and hopes for a friend. One day a little Red Bird asked for some of Samson’s dandelions. After the bird flies away a sudden snow storm coats the world in white. Worried for the little Red Bird, Samson sets off to find his potential new friend.
Evaluation
I loved this book. The pictures were great and the story of lonely Samson was so sweet. I would recommend this book to anyone. It is a story that shows a sweet friendship between the three characters. I think that anyone would enjoy this book.
Teaching Idea
For this book I would do a lesson on what makes a good friend. After reading the book I would have students journal and draw a picture of what makes a good friend. Students would share their characteristics of what makes a good friend.
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