Mapping Sam

An adventurous cat named Sam explores her neighborhood at night in this gorgeously illustrated book. Informational, beautiful, and deeply moving, Mapping Sam is both a book about how maps work and an engaging, character-driven story. In a starred review, Kirkus Reviews says that Mapping Sam is “a winning choice.” An ideal read-aloud for classrooms and homeschooling, the book features a page of background information as well as various maps and map terms throughout.

For fans of Brandon Wenzel’s They All Saw a Cat and Sara Fanelli’s My Map Book, and for anyone who wants to know what is where and how to get from here to there!

Maps can show us streets and subways and cities and countries. But they can also show us what we can’t see, what we can only imagine, or how to build something. In Joyce Hesselberth’s Mapping Sam, Sam the cat puts her family to bed, and then—when all is quiet—heads out to explore her neighborhood.

As Sam follows her customary path, wandering farther and farther away from home, readers encounter different kinds of maps illuminating different points of view and the various spots Sam visits. Finally, when Sam reaches her favorite place and confirms that all is well, she heads back home, climbs onto a cozy bed, and falls asleep.

An ideal read-aloud for classrooms and libraries, Mapping Sam features a page of background information, as well as various maps and map terms throughout. 

Praise for Mapping Sam

“First readers explore a neighborhood map of the feline’s initial travels before embarking on a journey that will take them to the edge of the universe and back...An eye-catching introduction to maps, charts, and diagrams for the youngest of cartographers.” - School Library Journal 

“The flow of the story is smooth, and the introduction of each new piece of cartography feels organic. Hesselberth’s artwork...is clear and will show well in large groups. ...A winning choice for just about anywhere that’s on a map.” - Kirkus Reviews 

“After Sam the cat’s family is asleep, she slips out the back door. Where does the orange tabby go? With the help of a map, children see her path. Hesselberth uses this opportunity to explain the purposes of maps and their characteristics. ..Sam takes mapping in many delightful directions.” - ALA Booklist

“For kids who like their days filled with observation and information, this cozy nocturnal adventure may be their ideal bridge to bedtime.” - Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books