Sammy The Seal

Syd Hoff's Sammy The Seal changed my life. It's the first book I read on my own. I can remember the day I accomplished this feat, just like it was last month. I was home sick from school (where I was enrolled in my second year of grade two). I sat in our living room, focusing on the pages and carefully sounding out the words. By time I finished reading the book, my lips were really dry, I was really thirsty, and I was filled with one of the greatest feelings of accomplishment that I have ever experienced in my life.


I think almost everyone can relate to Sammy and his longing to see life outside the zoo. Haven't we all asked "what if?" or wondered "what would that be like?"


Through this tale about a seal who leaves the zoo to spend a day exploring the city and going to school, Mr. Hoff teaches children that there is no place like home.  Sammy goes from being unhappy at the zoo at the start of the story to be happy to return to the zoo at the end of the story, which is also the end of the day.


The language in this book is appropriate for young children and beginner readers. The key message is a cliche and everyone (even the kid re-doing grade two) knows that seals don't talk, visit the city or go to school.


Sammy the Seal taught me that I can accomplish anything I put my mind to. The story isn't clever but it was just perfect for me back then.


3/5