The Loudness of Sam

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Product Description

When Sam laughs, Sam laughs loudly. When Sam cries, Sam cries loudly. But while visiting his aunt Tillie in the city, Sam is surprised to discover that some people--in fact, many people--hold in their feelings. Can Sam survive a week with Aunt Tillie, a week when he is often told to "hush"?

Amazon.com Review

"Did someone throw nuts and bolts into the blender and turn it on?" Sam's mom asks. "No, honey, that's just our baby," Dad proudly explains. Sam was born loud. When he laughs, he laughs loudly, and when he cries, he cries loudly. Thankfully, Sam's parents love every sound their precious son makes. One day, Sam (now a loud young boy) gets a letter from his Aunt Tillie who wants him to visit her in the city. Once there, he is amazed by urban marvels--cheese on a stick, garbage on the streets, a silly hat. He notices that city people--even his aunt--seem rather indifferent to the wonders around them. At first Aunt Tillie is embarrassed by her nephew's effusiveness. ("Laughing is for monkeys!" she declares.) But a funny thing happens on Sam's last day with her--she laughs loudly! It seems that the Loudness of Sam is contagious, and the two of them laugh all the way home in the car. Once again, James Proimos (creator of the uplifting and quirky picture book Joe's Wish) disguises a sweet story of love and acceptance in comical, exaggerated cartoons with hilarious asides. The Loudness of Sam is a wonderful, albeit offbeat gift for new parents of loud babies or parents with particularly challenging offspring. Of course, kids will love it too. (Click to see a sample spread. Illustration ©1999 by James Proimos, reproduced with permission of Harcourt Brace & Company.) (Preschool to age 6) --Karin Snelson