Sammy and the Secret Shortcut

<p><strong>A shortcut through the jungle. A ship that can't stop. A sailor with a heart full of wonder.</strong></p><p>Set along the legendary Panama Canal <em>Sammy and the Secret Shortcut</em> invites young readers on a rhythmic high-stakes adventure where curiosity leads to courage-and an unforgettable discovery.</p><p>Meet Sammy the Sailor a wide-eyed explorer with an unstoppable imagination. Inspired by the real-life journeys of author Samuel M. Riley-a former cruise ship Learning & Development Manager who has sailed over 285000 nautical miles-this debut blends firsthand experience with wonder-filled storytelling.</p><p><strong>What's Inside:</strong></p><p>• A fun fast-paced rhyming tale ideal for ages 4-8</p><p> • Rich painterly illustrations that spark curiosity and conversation</p><p> • Gentle themes of geography courage and listening to your inner compass</p><p> • A lovable lead character kids will want to follow from port to port</p><p>Perfect for bedtime reading classroom libraries travel units and any child with a spirit for adventure this story helps young readers imagine a world of possibilities-one shortcut at a time.</p><p><strong>Includes Educational Content</strong></p><p> At the end of the book readers will discover fun facts about the Panama Canal helping them connect Sammy's journey to real-world geography and history. Ideal for classrooms homeschooling and curious young minds.</p><p><strong>Hidden Symbol Bonus:</strong></p><p> A few characters in <em>Sammy and the Secret Shortcut</em> were intentionally illustrated with four fingers instead of five-a subtle tribute to the author's two real-life crossings through the Panama Canal (once from the Atlantic to the Pacific and once back again).</p><p>Two crossings for the author. Two for Sammy. Four fingers.</p><p>This quiet detail is a hidden sailor's symbol much like the Easter eggs found in classic animation-just waiting for observant readers to discover.</p>