Barnett, Mac. Sam and Dave Dig a Hole. Jon Klassen, Illus. Picture Book. Candlewick, 2014. [42]p. $16.99. 978-0-7636-6229-5. OUTSTANDING. GRADES PRE-3.
In this humorous tale, we see two friends and their dog dig and dig and dig in the hopes of making an extraordinary find—with only the reader seeing all the treasures they just miss. Eventually digging all the way through to where dirt ends, the three friends fall down into a place deceptively similar to where they started. Klassen’s art is crucial to the story, with the sight gags adding humor to what would otherwise be a straightforward story about a hole. Generous white space gives a sense of depth to the hole that is being dug. Colored pencil and digital drawings construct the comical world of these unflappable diggers. An exceptional story that will keep the reader amused.
Yesica Hurd, San Francisco Public Library