Sammie Finds a Friend

<p>In the tall tall forest a shy young sasquatch named Sammie watches the world from behind the pines. Rabbits dash through clover squirrels scamper up bark and birds splash in a silver-blue creek. Sammie longs to join them but every time he takes a step forward his heart drums like a woodpecker and the words get small in his mouth.</p><p>Everything changes the morning he hears a tiny squeak from a tumbled pile of rocks. A chipmunk is stuck-cheeks puffed paws trembling. Sammie's careful gentle strength lifts the stones one by one until-pop!-the chipmunk springs free. I'm Chippy the little hero chirps and anyone that kind is already my friend.</p><p>With Chippy by his side Sammie practices brave-in-small-ways: carrying a bowl of berries so birds can nibble steadying a log while beavers nudge it into place and offering a warm hello to curious rabbits. Laughter begins to ring through the trees and even a timid fawn steps from the tall grass to meet him. Page by page Sammie discovers that courage isn't loud-it's kind. And kindness shared again and again makes even the shyest heart big and brave.</p><p>Painted in soft glowing watercolors and told in cozy read-aloud lines perfect for ages 3-6 <strong>Sammie Finds a Friend</strong> is a gentle celebration of empathy friendship and first hellos. Young listeners will recognize the fluttery feeling of trying something new while caregivers and teachers will find natural openings for conversations about shyness kindness and including others.</p><p>Ideal for bedtime snuggles classroom circles library story time and social-emotional learning this woodland tale invites children to slow down notice needs and lead with care-because sometimes the bravest act is reaching out a paw and saying Hi. I'm glad you're here.</p>