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Book details

  • Genre:children's fiction
  • Sub-genre:Social Themes / Friendship
  • Age Range (years):4 - 8
  • Language:English
  • Pages:36
  • Hardcover ISBN:9798350969092

Always Sam

Overview

Sam is a sweet, 8-year-old boy who loves his family, his friends, and his dog. What happens when his skin changes colors and he turns the purple of his shirt, the green of the grass, or the orange red of his tomato soup? Some kids are nice but some won't play with him. Bullying escalates. Enter chameleons, rainbows and a sprinkle of magic!

Always Sam is a contemporary fairytale, with Sam's color changes a metaphor for diversity. It subtly addresses the pain of bullying and differences, and shows the power of an understanding family, caring friends and teachers, and the importantance of kindness, acceptance, empathy and compassion. And the sprinkle of magic in the form of chameleons and rainbow,s make it a happy and fun story for the young and the young of heart. This is a classic story that will last generations. It will delight you and make you think. We hope it helps to create a sweeter world for all.

Joan Tabb has a lifelong passion for children, social justice, story, art, and a sprinkling of magic. Always Sam weaves together all those things as a book whispered to her in a dream by the sweet boy, Sam. Joan's hope is that this story delights readers, surprises them and brings about conversations about diversity, kindness and acceptance.

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Description

Sam is a sweet, 8-year-old boy who loves his family, his friends, and his dog. But what happens when his skin changes colors and he turns the purple of his shirt, the green of the grass, or the orangey-red of his tomato soup? His color differences make life difficult -- some kids are nice, but others won't play with him. Bullying escales. Enter chameleons and a sprinkle of magic. See what happens! The story takes unexpected twists and turns, and readers are challenged to search for five hidden chameleons- FUN! 

Questions at the end of the book encourage conversation between the children and their caring adults.

"Always Sam is a delightful story that takes children on a magical journey into the life of a child with unique differences. It is thoroughly engaging, and offers a warm and wonderful way to encourage empathy and kindness, leading to a more equitable future for all. This charming book touches hearts and minds. It can soften the spirit and improve the well being of children." - Carey O'Connell, PH.D., Psychologist

Joan Tabb has a lifelong passion for children, social justice, story, art, and a sprinkling of magic. Always Sam weaves together all those things as a story whispered to her in a dream by the sweet boy, Sam. During Covid, Joan was in an anti-racism study group, thinking of how our world might become a kinder and more accepting place. Her hope is that this story delights readers, surprises them, and brings about conversations about diversity, kindness and acceptance. Joan's career life bridges corporate and community work, with decades of corporate leadership in Silicon Valley. She has been Joan of Art in a 3rd grade class, teaching art and literacy, for the past number of years.

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About The Author

Joan has a lifelong passion for children, social justice, story, art, and a sprinkling of magic. Always Sam weaves together all of those things as a book whispered to her in a dream by the sweet boy, Sam. Joan's hope is that this story delights readers, surprises them and brings about conversations about diversity, kindness and acceptance. Joan has written two books for adult readers: Building Blocks for the New Retirement and Great in 8: Job Seeking Skills. Joan spent decades as a corporate training and marketing manager in Silicon Valley, then as an executive coach and always doing volunteer educational programs for children. She earned a master's in Instructional Technology from the University of Oregon and a bachelor's in Psychology from the University of Pennsylvania. Originally from New York, Joan and her family live north of San Francisco in Santa Rosa, California.


https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/joan-tabb/always-sam/

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Book Reviews

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Importance of kindness and inclusion Always Sam is a heartwarming children's book that tells the story of Sam, a young boy who has the unique ability to change colors, reflecting his emotions and environment. Despite his special trait, Sam faces challenges, including teasing and exclusion from other kids who find him different and odd. The story begins with Sam feeling lonely and sad as others mock his changing colors. However, through the support of his family and a true friend named Dennis, Sam learns to embrace his uniqueness. Sam’s journey includes a visit to the zoo, where he learns about chameleons, creatures that also change colors. This visit inspires him and helps him find confidence in who he is. Eventually, Sam gets a pet chameleon, Chamie, who becomes his companion and a symbol of acceptance for Sam. By the end of the story, Sam’s classmates begin to appreciate him for who he is inside, rather than judging him by his external differences. The book concludes with a message of inclusion, kindness, and the importance of seeing beyond appearances. Always Sam is a beautifully crafted story that addresses the themes of acceptance, kindness, and self-confidence. Joan Tabb masterfully weaves a narrative that is both engaging and educational, making it a perfect read for young children. The character of Sam is relatable, and his struggles with being different are depicted in a way that young readers can easily understand and empathize with. The book's illustrations by John Albert are vibrant and bring Sam's colorful world to life. The changing colors of Sam not only add a visual appeal but also serve as a powerful metaphor for the emotions that children experience when they feel different or excluded. One of the standout aspects of the book is its emphasis on the importance of kindness and inclusion. Through Sam’s interactions with his family, friends, and classmates, readers are encouraged to look beyond the surface and appreciate others for who they are inside. The book’s interactive element, with hidden chameleons to find and questions to discuss, makes it an engaging experience for both children and adults. Read more