Sam and Dave Dig a Hole

I was amused as Sam and Dave took some unfortunate turns in their digging adventure, but was a bit befuddled by the enigmatic ending until all the details and ramifications were pointed out to me by my wife and daughter. Pretty subtle and terrifying for a picture book.

I'm claiming I didn't catch on right away because I was distracted throughout the whole book that the creators did nothing to deal with the issue of dirt disposal and tunnel navigation. Where are the buckets, ropes and ladders necessary for dirt removal and the resulting mounds on the surface? Are these supposed to be magical shovels, the presence of which telegraph the fantastical ending?

Sam and Dave Dig a Hole. The uninspired, to-the-point title is the only thing uninspired about this charming children's book. The humor here is mainly in the visuals, but this isn't to say the story is lacking. Although it's simple, it's memorable and just hilarious, and with only a few sentences per page this is an ideal bedtime read. The story has no moral, but so what? Sometimes it's ok to only have a laugh. This is a must-read-now probably most suitable for ages 4-6.

Determined to find something spectacular, Sam and Dave dig a hole outside their grandfather's house, working until they are in over their heads. Just as they are about to unearth an enormous gem, they become discouraged and begin digging in a different direction. After successive almost-discoveries of a similar nature, they find themselves falling into something very spectacular indeed...

Awarded a Caldecott Honor in 2015, Sam & Dave Dig a Hole is a picture-book with immense aesthetic and storytelling appeal. As always, Jon Klassen's illustrations are beautiful, with muted sepia tones and a stylized folk-art appeal. I was utterly charmed by the fact that Sam and Dave's little dog is obviously aware, in each scene, just where the show more "treasure" is buried. Young readers will identify with that dog, as they too see the gems that the two boys in the story keep missing, and will enjoy being "in the know." The conclusion of the tale, in which Sam and Dave fall in to an alternate universe, is indicated solely through the artwork, rewarding close readers for their attentive perusal. Recommended to Jon Klassen fans, and to anyone looking for children's stories featuring imaginative play and/or fantastic adventures. show less

I found this modern fantasy novel unusual. There was no clear conclusion and the humans were derived to be unintelligent while their pet dog was the smart one. In the end, the characters do not receive the gems they were digging for, but the dog’s eyes clearly follow where the gems were hidden the entire time. Mind the confusion, I did like the suspense of the wordless book. The reader always knows where the gems are, but when will the boys figure it out? I liked the visual of the gem getting bigger and bigger, page by page, as the characters became close to finding the treasure. I enjoyed the determined protagonists, but I felt betrayed by the author each time the boys made a wrong turn. I believe the message of the story is to never show more give up. After hours and hours of digging, the boys persevered through the dirt to accomplish their task only to end up back where they started, but the dog wins a bone for his observant behavior. show less

What happens when Sam and Dave dig a hole looking for something spectacular? Will they be able to dig down very far? Is there anything interesting hidden in the ground? Will their dog help them? Could there really be a treasure?

Margo spotted this gem at our local bookstore and had to have it. The story is about some boys digging for something spectacular. They dig down. Nothing. They change course- still nothing. Their dog tries to help them. But they can't find anything! At least that’s the story when you only read the words. The illustrations tell a whole other story!

I enjoyed reading Sam and Dave Dig a Hole, which was written by Mac Barnett and illustrated by Jon Klassen. The writing style is straightforward and has a strong show more impact because the pictures reveal what is really happening. Poor Sam and Dave- they have no idea what they are missing! The illustrations are interesting and different. This is a fun story to read to someone who can’t see the pictures and then read it again when they can see what the author didn’t reveal. show less

Sam and Dave just keep digging and digging, They are trying to find something spectacular but they keep digging right around everything spectacular. This book disappointed me because I liked it but I was hoping that they would eventually hit one of the diamonds but they never do. It was very cute though and a great way to teach kids that life isn't always fair. I also liked how the further they dug, the bigger the diamonds got. The art showed this wonderfully. I highly recommend this book.

Sam and Dave Dig a Hole is about two boys, accompanied by their dog, that decide to dig a hole and continue to dig that hole. The two boys are in search of something extra special and continue to dig their way into the earth, only stopping for chocolate milk and a few cookies. As the anticipation builds, the reader is surprised by what Sam and Dave find at the end… back at their own house! Sam and Dave is a great example of one of those fun stories that you love to read because of the surprisingly silly and unexpected endings. Not only does Klassen give a surprise ending, but he also lets the reader in a joke that Sam and Dave do not know; they continue to barely miss the buried jewels or the something spectacular that they are show more looking for. I thought the use of white on the pages and the art that accompanied the book was very unique, especially because the illustrations were made with colored pencils and a computer. Not only are the illustrations simple, but Klassen also seems to pack detail about the background characters (such as the dog digging for a bone) that will allow readers the opportunity to enjoy this book time after time. I think that stories like this are great because they are fun read alouds for children and keep them hanging on their seats anticipating what Sam and Dave may find. show less