Sam has been known to tell a tall tale. He will admit that he has a reputation for telling the truth. The truth is complicated. Like an elephant. It's just too big to deal with. So Sam chooses not to deal with the truth. Instead he tells these elaborate stories that mostly get him into trouble. Mostly everyone knows he's lying but even when faced with the pressure of telling the truth Sam still stretches the tale.Fortunately though Sam (and the author Joe Berger) are great storytellers. The Pudding Problem is a fun and enjoyable twisted tale. Even though Sam is a compulsive liar, he is a likable character. Most of his lies are harmless except when dealing with big mean Feeney.
I really connected with this story. When I was in grade 2 someone stole my sandwich at school. I ate a summer sausage sandwich every day. Mine was missing from my lunch bag. But Katie had a summer sausage sandwich in her lunch bag that looked like one my Dad makes me. I'm inclined to believe that the teacher and principal believed me as I'm not a compulsive liar like Sam - and maybe how little Katie was. In the end my parents were called and said there was definitely a summer sausage sandwich in my bag. Anybody else have to deal with a Sam or Katie when they were a kid?
Lyttle Lies: The Pudding Problem is a nice clean fun story. I love the lie detector that comes at the back of the book. I think this would be a real hit with my students and I will definitely purchase this book for my school library. I think this story has the makings of a great sequel and I'm sure we will see more of Sam.
This book is in stores now and is recommended for children ages 8-12.