“A gentle story with clear messaging about kindness, empathy, and seeing beyond superficial differences.”
A little boy whose skin changes color is bullied for being different in Tabb’s illustrated children’s book.
Sam is a third grader with an unusual condition: Like a chameleon, his skin turns different colors to match his surroundings. Sam has a few friends, but other kids mock and bully him. A girl laughs at a purple-skinned Sam when he asks if she wants to play. A boy calls him “weird” and “pushe[s] Sam’s bike over.” On his way home, Sam turns green. While he’s greeted appreciatively by his adoring little sister and supportive parents (“We love you just the way you are”), Sam is still sad, wishing he looked like “everyone else.” By not over-dramatizing Sam’s plight, Tabb strikes the right tone to invite readers’ empathy, then deftly turns things around by giving Sam agency over how he is perceived, having him dream that he’s saved from bullies by a bunch of chameleons. The heroic, color-shifting reptiles spark Sam’s fascination with the real thing. He learns about them (Tabb includes interesting chameleon facts), is given his own pet chameleon, and takes his pet to school. There, Sam’s informed presentation sparks his peers’ interest, and they see that Sam is a pretty cool kid, no matter what color he is. The chameleon theme is woven visually throughout the book; Tabb alerts her readers to spot the five chameleons that can be found on certain pages as part of the illustrations by Albert. These are done in an especially engaging style featuring expressive cartoonish characters in different skin tones (a couple of them are in wheelchairs), simple line drawings, and an assured balance of color and white space. The after-material includes questions for kids to ponder and a link to a website with activities. A gentle story with clear messaging about kindness, empathy, and seeing beyond superficial differences.
—Kirkus Reviews
Always Sam is a heartwarming children’s book that tells the story of Sam, a young boy who has the unique ability to change colors, reflecting his emotions and environment. Despite his special trait, Sam faces challenges, including teasing and exclusion from other kids who find him different and odd. The story begins with Sam feeling lonely and sad as others mock his changing colors. However, through the support of his family and a true friend named Dennis, Sam learns to embrace his uniqueness.
Sam’s journey includes a visit to the zoo, where he learns about chameleons, creatures that also change colors. This visit inspires him and helps him find confidence in who he is. Eventually, Sam gets a pet chameleon, Chamie, who becomes his companion and a symbol of acceptance for Sam. By the end of the story, Sam’s classmates begin to appreciate him for who he is inside, rather than judging him by his external differences. The book concludes with a message of inclusion, kindness, and the importance of seeing beyond appearances.
Always Sam is a beautifully crafted story that addresses the themes of acceptance, kindness, and self-confidence. Joan Tabb masterfully weaves a narrative that is both engaging and educational, making it a perfect read for young children. The character of Sam is relatable, and his struggles with being different are depicted in a way that young readers can easily understand and empathize with.
The book’s illustrations by John Albert are vibrant and bring Sam’s colorful world to life. The changing colors of Sam not only add a visual appeal but also serve as a powerful metaphor for the emotions that children experience when they feel different or excluded.
One of the standout aspects of the book is its emphasis on the importance of kindness and inclusion. Through Sam’s interactions with his family, friends, and classmates, readers are encouraged to look beyond the surface and appreciate others for who they are inside. The book’s interactive element, with hidden chameleons to find and questions to discuss, makes it an engaging experience for both children and adults.
—Kid’s Picture Book Review
