Sam and Dave Dig a Hole by Mac Barnett, Jon Klassen illustrator [Review & Givaway]

ISBN: 9780763662295
Candlewick Press $16.99 Hardcover

With perfect pacing, the multi-award-winning, New York Times best-selling team of Mac Barnett and Jon Klassen dig down for a deadpan tale full of visual humor.

Sam and Dave are on a mission. A mission to find something spectacular. So they dig a hole. And they keep digging. And they find . . . nothing. Yet the day turns out to be pretty spectacular after all. Attentive readers will be rewarded with a rare treasure in this witty story of looking for the extraordinary —  and finding it in a manner you’d never expect.

My thoughts: Knowing little boys, they do "stuff" and one of the "stuff" things they like to do is adventure into the unknown and what is more unknown than what lies underneath their feet. So Sam and Dave decide they are going to dig a hole. They are going to dig a hole looking for something spectacular. No, they're not looking for the typical fishing worms so many boys (and men) are wont to do, they are just going for the big, the spectacular, the unknown good stuff.

So with shovels in hand (and illustrator Jon Klassen with pen and water colors in hand) they venture forth in the backyard. Their trusty dog is with them all the way. And the cat is observing on the sidelines.

What is so neat and nifty about this dirt-encrusted (or so it appears from the colors) picture book is that they are going first down, then changing directions, then changing again. They stop and drink their chocolate milk and eat their animal crackers (while sitting deep in the hole and fully encrusted with dirt). They get tired. They keep digging. And finally they go to sleep. And dream.....

There are just a few words to this delightful adventure of two little boys (I had boys of my own!) and there are illustrations that are stark, replete with droll humour and eye rolls. And there is the spectacular - there in the dirt - there to be seen or to be missed. But alas I won't give away the ending.

I just wonder how many little boys have been inclined to go forth and dig a hole or to dig more holes since lingering on the pages of Sam and Dave Dig a Hole.

I can see why this book has won so many awards including the cherished Caldecott Honor Book, the E.B. White Read-aloud Award, New York Times Best-Seller and Notable Book, etc.  I recommend this book for libraries and home libraries as well.

GIVEAWAY

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DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy from Candlewick Press to facilitate this review. I was not compensated for this review nor was I required to render a positive review. Giveaway copy is provided directly to winner by publisher.