Sam and Dave Dig a Hole by Mac Barnett and Jon Klassen
| Sam and Dave Dig a Hole by Mac Barnett and Jon Klassen | |
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| Category: For Sharing | |
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Reviewer: Rachael Spencer
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| Summary: Sam and Dave dig a hole to try and find something spectacular in this interesting book with lots of layers. Children who are just getting good at reading will enjoy looking at all the clever touches, though very young kids might not get all the intricacies. | |
| Buy? Maybe | Borrow? Yes |
| Pages: 40 | Date: October 2014 |
| Publisher: Walker Books | |
| ISBN: 9781406357769 | |
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Shortlisted for the 2016 CILIP Kate Greenaway Medal
Sam and Dave are digging a hole, and they’re sure they’re going to find something spectacular. But the more they dig, the more they keep missing all the spectacular stuff, not that they know it. This is an interesting book which requires a pretty good attention span to fully appreciate it. It has that thing that is so often missing in picture books; it is just that bit different, which I always appreciate.
I particularly like the way that each page was only slightly different to the last, making the reader have to pay close attention to each and every page. This makes it a book somewhat more suited to an older reader, rather than a very young preschooler who might be more prone to running around whilst stories are being read, but that isn’t a negative at all.
I think the way that the text is laid out in order to mirror the depth and shape of the hole is a very clever touch, giving just an extra layer to the book as a whole. The way the story develops slowly gives a nice sense of suspense, will Sam and Dave ever find anything, and if so, what? The illustrations match the text brilliantly in an understated, sparse way.
I think this is a great book for slightly older picture book readers, with a clever design and good premise. The way in which the pictures show them missing huge gemstones constantly is a great flourish which gives the whole piece a nice underlying sense of humour.
If your kids like reading about holes in the garden, then have a look at The Something by Rebecca Cobb. They might also enjoy Leo: A Ghost Story by Mac Barnett and Christian Robinson.
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You can read more book reviews or buy Sam and Dave Dig a Hole by Mac Barnett and Jon Klassen at Amazon.co.uk Amazon currently charges £2.99 for standard delivery for orders under £20, over which delivery is free.
You can read more book reviews or buy Sam and Dave Dig a Hole by Mac Barnett and Jon Klassen at Amazon.com.
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