Sam's Cookie

Rating:
Summary: Teaches Selfishness and "BAD WORDS" to kids
Review: Around our house, Lindgren's "Sam's" books are hands-down favorites. Most books for babies are picture books -- mere catalogues of static images. A little boring after awhile, don't you think? Each of the "Sam's" books has a real narrative with a lively yet simple story that even a one year old can follow with delight. It's all there -- good characters, drama, humor, exciting climax and comforting resolution. This has got to be a cognative uptick from "See the ball? The red ball." Our Sam's books have been handed down through three children and have lasted ten years. The visually witty Sam's Cookie is everyone's favorite.

Rating:
Summary: My Daughter's favorite!
Review: My daughter is a very independent 18 month old. She used to let me read her books, but she's now decided it's more interesting to "read" them herself and won't let me touch her books (let alone read them to her.) HOWEVER, these "Sam" books she absolutely adores. They are the only books she'll let me sit down and read to her (over and over and over again.) The simple-sentence text really helps her follow along, and the illustrations are classically darling. Sam interacts with things in her world that she loves: dogs, balls, teddy bears, baths, etc. Whatever the magic combination, my little girl is totally hooked, and I like her choice!

Rating:
Summary: Good behavior vs Reality for Toddlers.
Review: My Jared has loved this book since we found it at the library when he was just 1. We read it over and over again. My 4 yr old has, of course, memorized it by now and chants it with me.

I agree that I don't like that Sam says "dumb doggie" and it's annoying that when we get to that page both kids will shout it with glee, shaking their fingers. However, neither child would pull our dog's ear or call it dumb because a. they aren't gleeful when they're upset with the dog and b. I teach them not to.

I am finally going to buy this book for Jared's 2nd birthday since we have had it and other Sam books out of the library non-stop for a year! (I have another kid on the way so I don't have to worry about him losing interest soon!)

I understand the parents who don't like it. However, I'm not looking for books to teach my children behavior. My husband and I do that. The books are here to spark interest, to get my children engaged, excited and curious. Jared adores this story, and if he loves books because of it his life will be enriched.

Other Sam books that show Doggie and Sam modeling very positive behavior are Sam's Teddy Bear, Sam's Wagon and Sam's Potty. Doggie helps out Sam very obligingly in all 3 of these.

Rating:
Summary: Bad example for a child
Review: The subject matter is good and real...a dog taking a childs cookie. The way the child is shown handling the situation is appalling...saying "dumb dog" and pulling his ear. What was the author thinking?! I will not be reading this book to my grandson.

Rating:
Summary: Teaches Selfishness and "BAD WORDS" to kids
Review: What kind of parents are the ones who gave it good reviews? The ones who intentionally spoil their kids over petty things like a cookie and don't mind teaching them it's okay to say "DUMB" even if it's to the family pet, and that there's always "more where that came from...." This book is not about sharing, it's about getting whatever you want after crying, calling the pet dumb, and having mommy come and give another cookie. I should have read the book before I bought it instead of reviews that were socially and intellectually false and inept. My 22 month old neice started yelling "No no!" after the dog goes "grrrhhhh." She pushed the book away after we attempted to read it a second time on a different day and said "NO MORE READ BOOK!" That Sam kid even begins to hit the dog!! My sister was appalled they even had the word "dumb" being said by a toddler character. Dumb are the parents who want to desensitize their children to gratuitous behavior by reading this book.