Samantha's parents warn her not to hit her brother. But Samantha likes to hit him, and does not think she will be sorry.
She's wrong, of course.
As the consequences of Samantha's actions grow more and more outlandish with every turn of the page, surreal twists and subtle visual humor add to the fun. Siblings of all ages are sure to recognize the contentious yet ultimately loving relationship in this lighthearted cautionary tale about a common childhood impulse.
February 1, 2008
PreS-Gr 1-"Don't hit your brother, or you'll be sorry," say Samantha's parents. And the little mouse certainly is. Baby brother cries so hard that the carpets get wet, the house floods, the whole neighborhood is underwater, and the family has to use a rowboat to get from place to place. When they have to spend the night in the rowboat and her brother is still crying, Samantha is really sorry. She finally apologizes and comforts him, and he stops sobbing. At book's end, when Samantha is very tempted to pinch her sibling, she doesn't do it because she knows what will happen. The watercolor and pen-and-ink drawings work nicely to enhance this humorous cautionary tale. Torrents of water pour out of the youngster's eyes and cascade down the stairs, and a mouse in a family portrait holds an SOS sign. Samantha holds the same pose at the end as in the beginning, with the same mischievous look-but without the clenched fist. Silly fun with a bit of a moral."Shelley B. Sutherland, Niles Public Library, IL"
Copyright 2008 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
September 15, 2007
Samanthas parents tell her not tohither brother or shell be sorry. But Samantha liked to hit her brother and did not think shed be sorry. Alas, her parentsare quite correct, because after she hits him, her little brother starts crying, and the tears dont stop. Soon the family is wearing galoshes. Then theyget outtherowboat. Good thing, too, because the neighborhood is underwater, and all there is to eat are soggy crackers. Still, the tears continue. Its up to Samantha to make things right, so she puts her arm around her brotherand offers a heartfelt apology. All is forgiven, the tears stop, and when Samantha feels like pinching her brother again, she doesntshe knows shell be sorry. This clever take on the push-pull of sibling relationships getsacharming boost from the pen-and-watercolor illustrations. Featuring mice that look like they could be cousins (well, second cousins) to Lilly and her family, the pictures accentuate the over-the-top fun: soccer fields underwater and tears rolling down the stairs like Niagara Falls.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2007, American Library Association.)
January 1, 2008
Though her parents tell her not to hit her little brother or "you'll be sorry," mouse Samantha goes right ahead anyway. She's finally moved to apologize--not only because his tears flood the entire neighborhood ("That night, they slept in the rowboat") but because of his sorrowful expression. The watercolor and pen-and-ink illustrations include many droll details and are occasionally heart-tugging.
(Copyright 2008 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)