Kiss Good Night and Don't You Feel Well, Sam?
by Amy Hest
illustrated by Anita Jeram
Maybe it is because I know that my older children have moved on to more complex stories with more complicated plots and I know that he will move on, too. I know that the days of delighting in the cozy stories of a bear and his mama are fleeting (although Maddie still peeks over my shoulder while I read these books to Benjamin. The girl will listen to me read anything!).
My Benjamin is a busy boy, but when I say, "Benny, want to read a book?" he runs to the shelf or the library basket and selects a favorite, a grin stretched across his face. He used to love Tom and Pippo
and he still does, but his new favorites are the Sam books. We've read them time and again in the last month and he never tires of them.
and he still does, but his new favorites are the Sam books. We've read them time and again in the last month and he never tires of them.
And you know what? I'm not tired of them either.
Maybe it is because I know that my older children have moved on to more complex stories with more complicated plots and I know that he will move on, too. I know that the days of delighting in the cozy stories of a bear and his mama are fleeting (although Maddie still peeks over my shoulder while I read these books to Benjamin. The girl will listen to me read anything!).
But maybe I'm not tired of Sam because, though the stories are simple and easy, they are rich in warmth and home and comfort. I can feel the red blanket that Mrs. Bear tucks around Sam. I can hear his little cough when he begins to get sick. I can imagine the bedtime stalling and the cuddles, too. When Mrs. Bear kisses Sam, I can't resist kissing my Benjamin and he giggles when I do.
There is nothing like a little boy body nestled against mine, feeling his shoulders relax as we begin the story and hearing his sigh as we finish.
These books were surely made for these February weeks of chill and tissues and quilts and love.
There is nothing like a little boy body nestled against mine, feeling his shoulders relax as we begin the story and hearing his sigh as we finish.
These books were surely made for these February weeks of chill and tissues and quilts and love.
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Thank you, Kristin, for being so faithful to join CBM with your sweet favorites! I think these look perfect for my Gideon, whose basket from the library last week ended up filled with board books that he is just. not. interested in! :)
ReplyDelete(Also, we checked out Snow Globe Family, and it is such a hit! One of the other reviews I read didn't have great things to say about it, but I don't agree with them at all- I agree with you! I love the pictures, my children are fascinated with the story, and it's perfect. Thank you!)