Stay-at-Home Sammy and the Runaway Spot

PreS-Gr 2—This is the tale of Sammy the cheetah, who wakes up to find that one of her 500 spots is missing. The runaway spot has decided to leave home and explore the world. In a whimsical demonstration of the idea that "if you love something, you must let it go," Sammy sets her spot free and often thinks about the adventures it must be having. The book was first published in Sweden and features illustrations rendered in watercolor, pencil, and ink. The artwork is dynamic, matching the fun vocabulary and action of the story. A gatefold of sequential art titled "The Eye-Opening Adventures of a Globe-Trotting Spot" details the spot's travels and indicates the passage of time. The warm colors and floral patterns used to depict illustrations of Sammy's home provide a strong sense of domesticity. At a glance, the character of Sammy appears somewhat doglike, but her long tail, the presence of yarn in her bedroom, and a zebra-striped mug offer clues to her feline nature. The spot's homecoming and newly established relationship with Sammy make for a warm and satisfying conclusion.