Sam Tells Stories

This book feels like it's missing a few pages to flesh out the story and make the flow work, but it's a cute little story about lying. I'm not sure it's the best one for use with teaching kids not to lie (as I was trying to do), as the ending tries to clarify the difference in a bedtime story and a lie story without really giving a definition. There's also only minimal consequence for Sam. It's got great pictures.

My daughter tells stories A LOT. I like that his book demonstrates how friends want to hear the truth & you shouldn't tell stories and make things up just to get people to like you. However, even knowing that this was a book written for small children, I wish that there was a little more to it. I wish that the boy had more consequence or SOMETHING. I just don't feel like this book hit home with our story telling problem and aligning it with lying.

This book was awful. The kid totally lies and makes up stories to get kids to like him, then he kinda sorta gets caught or is about to get caught, then comes clean and then he realizes he doesn't need to lie in order for people to like him – there's no consequences, repercussions, guilt or shame that result from his lying. It feels like the book is missing a page after when the boy realizes hes about to get busted. Instead of anyone finding out that he lied and being embarrassed and having repercussions for lying, Sam makes a conscious decision on his own to stop lying and decides to tell the truth. Nobody shows any disappointment in him, there's no punishment, no embarrassment no consequences, nothing. All of his friends still like him just the same and nobody says anything or questions why he lied. He just goes on his merry little way like it was nothing. What a let down! If you're trying to teach your kid that there are consequences for lying, I definitely recommend finding a different book

This book isn't just about one lie, it's about many lies (stories) that are told. Sam makes up stories to impress kids at school, but it also 'bleeds' over into his home life. He tells his mom a lie so that he won't get into trouble. I encounter many students who are purposely not honest so they can avoid a consequence. This is a cute book with a GREAT message. Park this one on your shelf. It will come in handy when you have a child that is making up stories or telling lies to avoid getting in trouble.

Ok