Sam the wolf is back for his third outing, this time learning lessons about friendship and peer pressure. At school, the boys are tough and play only with other boys, unless they want to get teased, that is. One day, Sam’s class gets a new student, a sad-looking girl named Ellie. To Sam’s chagrin, Ellie comes home with him after school and even spends the night—Sam and Ellie’s moms are friends. Sam is not pleased when his room is rearranged to make way for Ellie’s bed. That night, though, Sam wakes up to hear Ellie crying softly. He comforts her and looks at her with new eyes in the morning. That day they play together on the playground, ignoring their classmates’ taunts. Sam’s new friend is just as strong and tough as any boy. Goossens’s oils hit the mark once again. Clean lines and simple details keep the focus on the facial expressions, while the bold jewel-tones make the illustrations pop off the page. Robberecht’s Sam really forces young children to think and to develop empathy. Could adults ask for more in a character? (Picture book. 3-6)
