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Poppy and Sam #1
Poppy and Sam and the Leaf Thief
It's a beautiful day in the garden when Poppy and her panda friend, Sam, hear a commotion. Their friend Basil--who has always been known for his elegance--is in tears, because somebody nibbled his leaves last night!
Poppy puts her detective skills to work, with help from Sam, and together they set out to find the culprit. They start by interviewing the insects, but Ms. Honeybee, Madame Ladybug, and Mr. Bumblebee all have contradictory suspicions of their own. So Poppy and Sam test some creative methods to catch the vandal red-handed. After a few misadventures, they find the remorseful nibbler--and Basil helps him understand that everything tastes better when it is freely offered.
Illustrated with charming details and lots of kid appeal, this is an easy-to-read graphic novel with friendly characters and a suspenseful story line.
Poppy puts her detective skills to work, with help from Sam, and together they set out to find the culprit. They start by interviewing the insects, but Ms. Honeybee, Madame Ladybug, and Mr. Bumblebee all have contradictory suspicions of their own. So Poppy and Sam test some creative methods to catch the vandal red-handed. After a few misadventures, they find the remorseful nibbler--and Basil helps him understand that everything tastes better when it is freely offered.
Illustrated with charming details and lots of kid appeal, this is an easy-to-read graphic novel with friendly characters and a suspenseful story line.
48 pages, Hardcover
Published August 15, 2018
2 people are currently reading
696 people want to read
About the author
Cathon
27 books55 followersCathon est auteure, illustratrice et bédéiste. Titulaire d’un baccalauréat en Arts Visuels et Médiatiques, elle publie depuis 2013 des bandes dessinées et des albums jeunesse aux éditions de la Pastèque, Pow Pow, Comme des géants et Owlkids. Elle tient également une chronique illustrée féministe pour la Gazette des Femmes.
Picture book author and illustrator Cathon is the co-creator of La liste des chose qui existent and Vampire Cousins. A tropical cocktail aficionado, she owns an impressive collection of tiki mugs that she lovingly dusts twice a day.
Picture book author and illustrator Cathon is the co-creator of La liste des chose qui existent and Vampire Cousins. A tropical cocktail aficionado, she owns an impressive collection of tiki mugs that she lovingly dusts twice a day.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 71 reviews
July 16, 2018
This is a great little graphic novel mystery for young readers. Poppy, who lives in a pumpkin, and her friend Sam, who lives in a butternut squash, are trying to help Basil. When she sleeps at night, someone is biting her leaves. The illustrations are really cute! The problem solving sets a good example for children. I think Poppy and Sam would make a cute series. This would be a great book for a classroom, school or public library. The publisher, Owlkids Books, generously provided me with a copy of this book to read.
August 29, 2023
Perfect as a beginning introduction to the world of graphic novels. I love how Poppy solves the mystery and how gentle and generous this world is.
P.S. if only earwigs were this adorable.
P.S. if only earwigs were this adorable.
July 26, 2018
The most important thing I can say about this book is that it features a drawing of an earwig that is downright ADORABLE. Earwigs are not adorable, and yet this book manages to present one that I sort of want to hug. It's an impressive feat. Cute book, too.
I received access to this title via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I received access to this title via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
July 26, 2018
This review was originally posted on my review blog Deanna Reads Books
I don't read a lot of children's book mostly because I'm an adult without any children so I don't really have a need for it. I was browsing Netgalley's catalog for comics and thought this one looked really cute so I requested it. It was definitely a really quick book to read through, which makes sense since it is geared towards children, but I found it so cute!
The book is about Poppy a little girl, no quite literally little because she lives in a pumpkin house, that lives amongst nature. The book starts with her and her panda friend Sam picking strawberries, but end up getting wrap-up in a mystery! Some one keeps on eating Basil's leaves and they set out to find out who it is. They set some traps and try to find the culprit red-handed. They have some failures along the way, but the way they end up finding the guilty party was so entertaining.
I like that this book shows some failure, because I think it shows to kids that sometimes the first solution is not the best one. Sometimes you have a fail and try again to get things right. I think it also showcases how to problem solve effectively.
What I also like about this book is that it doesn't try to "punish" the guilty party. It's a lot of admitting that you have done wrong, and for the other party to accept and forgive when someone has done you wrong. Also about remembering to ask for permission first. I really like that these messages were included in a children's book, because I think they are really important.
The artwork in this is very clean, but also since it's in the grass field there is a lot of green in it. It's pretty colorful in the panels with the strawberries or the different flowers. It has a very "soft" pastel style to it that I think makes it really engaging to a kid.
If you a parent looking for a good picture book to read to your children that has a good message behind it, I would recommend this one.
*I received a free egalley copy of this book in exchange for my honest review
I don't read a lot of children's book mostly because I'm an adult without any children so I don't really have a need for it. I was browsing Netgalley's catalog for comics and thought this one looked really cute so I requested it. It was definitely a really quick book to read through, which makes sense since it is geared towards children, but I found it so cute!
The book is about Poppy a little girl, no quite literally little because she lives in a pumpkin house, that lives amongst nature. The book starts with her and her panda friend Sam picking strawberries, but end up getting wrap-up in a mystery! Some one keeps on eating Basil's leaves and they set out to find out who it is. They set some traps and try to find the culprit red-handed. They have some failures along the way, but the way they end up finding the guilty party was so entertaining.
I like that this book shows some failure, because I think it shows to kids that sometimes the first solution is not the best one. Sometimes you have a fail and try again to get things right. I think it also showcases how to problem solve effectively.
What I also like about this book is that it doesn't try to "punish" the guilty party. It's a lot of admitting that you have done wrong, and for the other party to accept and forgive when someone has done you wrong. Also about remembering to ask for permission first. I really like that these messages were included in a children's book, because I think they are really important.
The artwork in this is very clean, but also since it's in the grass field there is a lot of green in it. It's pretty colorful in the panels with the strawberries or the different flowers. It has a very "soft" pastel style to it that I think makes it really engaging to a kid.
If you a parent looking for a good picture book to read to your children that has a good message behind it, I would recommend this one.
*I received a free egalley copy of this book in exchange for my honest review
August 19, 2018
'Poppy and Same and the Leaf Thief' with story and art by Cathon is a fun graphic novel for young readers.
Poppy and her panda bear friend, Sam live in a garden and are the same size as the bugs in the garden. Their friend Basil, the basil plant, has had someone munching on its leaves. Poppy and Sam are on the case! They start interviewing the various bugs in the garden like the bees, ladybugs, and other creatures. They try to catch the leaf thief in the act, and even set traps. What they discover leads to two important lessons: 1) It's better to ask than to take, and 2) Patience leads to yummy things like ripe strawberries.
I loved the illustrations in this book, and the two friends are fun characters. We never learn why they are so small, but in the end, it doesn't matter. This garden seems like a fun and positive place to live.
I received a review copy of this ebook from Owlkids Books and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this ebook.
Poppy and her panda bear friend, Sam live in a garden and are the same size as the bugs in the garden. Their friend Basil, the basil plant, has had someone munching on its leaves. Poppy and Sam are on the case! They start interviewing the various bugs in the garden like the bees, ladybugs, and other creatures. They try to catch the leaf thief in the act, and even set traps. What they discover leads to two important lessons: 1) It's better to ask than to take, and 2) Patience leads to yummy things like ripe strawberries.
I loved the illustrations in this book, and the two friends are fun characters. We never learn why they are so small, but in the end, it doesn't matter. This garden seems like a fun and positive place to live.
I received a review copy of this ebook from Owlkids Books and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this ebook.
June 12, 2018
Little ones will love solving this mystery of who is eating Basil's leaves. The illustrations are really cute! Poppy looks like a little girl who lives in a pumpkin with her panda, Sam. I don't if it is, but it should be a series! Cute illustrations!
February 1, 2019
This book is so cute, it hurts my guts to just look at the illustrations. All jokes aside, this is a sweet book and best of all, it's a mystery! It reminds me of a "WHO DUNNIT" kinda story but there are no dead bodies and it's up to us to find out who's been nibbling on the basil leaves...!
March 20, 2019
Poppy & Sam are waiting for their strawberries to be ready to pick when they stumble onto a mystery of whose eating the basil plants leaves. Can they find the theif? Cute. Elementary and up. Told in speech bubbles.
July 16, 2018
This is an adorably illustrated book with a great cast of characters both plants and insects. I think children would really get a kick out of this book that leaves me reminscient of my childhood favorite, The Smurfs. Someone has been eating Basil’s leaves and Poppy is going to figure out who!
October 10, 2019
Poppy and Sam are very tiny. They are smaller than the leafs.
September 2, 2023
Très très mignon. Une belle première bande dessinée à présenter à nos premiers lecteurs. Les illustrations sont magnifiques.
February 5, 2023
Li em português para a pequena, é fofo.
Read
November 26, 2017J'aime bien la candeur de cette histoire, l'univers du jardin un peu fantastique. Les parents peuvent lire les bulles pour initier les plus jeunes à la bande dessinée, mais les lectrices et lecteurs qui débutent peuvent aussi la lire sans aide.
J'ai apprécié la petite intrigue, la collaboration de tous les personnages pour trouver qui pouvait bien grignoter les feuilles de Basile en cachette. On pourrait croire qu'on chose la personne coupable, alors qu'on comprends bien qu'elle n'avait qu'à demander et que rien n'aurait été grave. Et Mimose habite dans une citrouille comme dans une cabane secrète qu'on aurait rêvé d'avoir, c'est ben trop cute.
J'ai apprécié la petite intrigue, la collaboration de tous les personnages pour trouver qui pouvait bien grignoter les feuilles de Basile en cachette. On pourrait croire qu'on chose la personne coupable, alors qu'on comprends bien qu'elle n'avait qu'à demander et que rien n'aurait été grave. Et Mimose habite dans une citrouille comme dans une cabane secrète qu'on aurait rêvé d'avoir, c'est ben trop cute.
October 1, 2017
J'admire le travail de Cathon, mais cet album, que je considère quand même comme original, m'a un peu perturbé. J'ai trouvé le récit trop facile. C'est peut-être ce qui m'a tué à la lecture. Par contre, les personnages sont attachants et remplis de surprises.
October 9, 2023
This series is absolutely adorable and perfect for little ones not yet ready for graphic novels but who might enjoy that format. I love miniature worlds and this is sooo dang cute with a modern little Thumbelina type happily living amongst the little creatures of the garden (don't ask me why there's a miniature panda bear (koala-panda?) but it's cute, too, so go with it). Poppy lives in a pumpkin house, and Sam lives in a gourd house but the other creatures' behaviors and homes are presented in fairly faithful renderings so there's a teensy bit of educational material here and also wee mysteries. My favorite is the first one, Poppy and Sam and the Leaf Thief, because it has a bit of an Alice in Wonderland talking flowers vibe, and even manages to make an earwig cute (and I hate earwigs)! Poppy and Sam and the Mole Mystery is a weaker story, but kids who enjoy search-and-find illustrations will probably enjoy that element immensely. I felt a little annoyed that Poppy interrupted so many creatures getting read to hibernate in Poppy and Sam and the Search for Sleep but maybe I'm just too sleep deprived myself -- I know it was meant to be humorous. All in all, charming series, between 3-4 stars for the lot. My almost-eight-year-old enjoyed them, too.
April 30, 2020
Hey you! Have you seen the thief who stole Basil's leaf? Poppy and Sam are on a journey to find the culprit who have been eating Basil's leafs. They talk to Honeybee, Ladybug, Mr. Bumblebee and others to question their whereabouts during this crime. You must read to the end to find sneaky creature!
This Mystery text by Cathon is great picture book for grades K-2. I would use this book to guide my instruction in multiple activities. One activity will involve my students writing their own mystery stories. This book can serve as a mentor text to introduce Mystery as a genre. Students will then be able to plan their own mini-books and put together a great mystery story.
Another activity I will incorporate in my classroom is having the students come up with an alternate ending to the story. What if Poppy and Sam couldn't catch the thief? Are there any other creative ways they could attempt to catch the culprit? Students will write a paragraph explaining this alternate ending.
This book was a WOW book for me because of how it was written. This story is written in dialogue so students could have a field day with how it is read in the classroom! I think this a great story for young readers. Definitely a must have in the classroom!
This Mystery text by Cathon is great picture book for grades K-2. I would use this book to guide my instruction in multiple activities. One activity will involve my students writing their own mystery stories. This book can serve as a mentor text to introduce Mystery as a genre. Students will then be able to plan their own mini-books and put together a great mystery story.
Another activity I will incorporate in my classroom is having the students come up with an alternate ending to the story. What if Poppy and Sam couldn't catch the thief? Are there any other creative ways they could attempt to catch the culprit? Students will write a paragraph explaining this alternate ending.
This book was a WOW book for me because of how it was written. This story is written in dialogue so students could have a field day with how it is read in the classroom! I think this a great story for young readers. Definitely a must have in the classroom!
January 22, 2019
Poppy & Sam and the Leaf Thief by Cathon. PICTURE BOOK. Owlkids Books, 2018. $17. 9781771473293
BUYING ADVISORY: EL(K-3), EL-ADVISABLE
AUDIENCE APPEAL: EL(K-3), EL-AVERAGE
Poppy and Sam are hanging out in the garden where they live when they hear cries of distress from Basil--someone has nibbled on his leaves! To find the culprit, Poppy & Sam interview a number of insect suspects, try to stay up all night to catch the thief redhanded (FAIL), and eventually set a variety of traps to find the snacker who has gone after Basil.
I don't usually enjoy picture books that are designed in comic book style, but this one won me over. I love the simple cheerful illustrations, and the story is fun; I love all the insects who come into play here! This is a good book for anyone who loves bugs, loves to garden, or just wants a fun, simple book.
Reviewer: TC
https://kissthebookjr.blogspot.com/20...
BUYING ADVISORY: EL(K-3), EL-ADVISABLE
AUDIENCE APPEAL: EL(K-3), EL-AVERAGE
Poppy and Sam are hanging out in the garden where they live when they hear cries of distress from Basil--someone has nibbled on his leaves! To find the culprit, Poppy & Sam interview a number of insect suspects, try to stay up all night to catch the thief redhanded (FAIL), and eventually set a variety of traps to find the snacker who has gone after Basil.
I don't usually enjoy picture books that are designed in comic book style, but this one won me over. I love the simple cheerful illustrations, and the story is fun; I love all the insects who come into play here! This is a good book for anyone who loves bugs, loves to garden, or just wants a fun, simple book.
Reviewer: TC
https://kissthebookjr.blogspot.com/20...
March 26, 2020
I really enjoyed this book, and I think many students would like this book as well. I do not understand its low rating. Anyways, this book is how this girl and panda are searching for the culprits who ate basils leaves. They go through a bunch of insects and ideas and they even did a stake out. Eventually they found that earwig was the now who kept eating her leaves. I think this is a cute way to represent mystery.
February 16, 2023
This is a cute little book about a girl named Poppy who often gardens with her vegetable, fruit, insect, and animal friends. The beginning of the book starts with Poppy gardening and she hears basil very upset because someone ate their leaf off them while they were sleeping. So poppy looks for the culprit, and she eventually sets up a trap and catches bee eating leaves in the middle of the night! But basil forgives him, and they become friends again!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 3, 2018
ADORABLE, soft illustrations that really create the texture of a world you want to dive into even in such a short amount of time/space. Good, low-stakes mystery plot for early readers, and a sweetness that makes it great to add to an all-ages graphic novel collection for readers who enjoy cozy, slow-paced graphics.
January 9, 2019
Poppy, a clever minature girl and Sam, her mini-panda sidekick, solve the mystery of who is eating Basil's leaves. The suspenseful story with its sweet expressive creatures is sure to be popular with preschoolers. The appealing imagery and simple graphic novel format, with only one to four panels per page, make it well-designed for new readers, although the vocabulary is quite complex. Ages 3-7.
August 1, 2020
Une bande dessinée possédant un niveau d'adorabilité extrême !
Mimose et Sam vivent dans un jardin magnifique. Pendant que les fraises mûrissent, ils enquêtent afin de découvrir qui grignote les feuilles de Basile le basilic.
On passe un excellent moment, ma fille et moi, à lire et relire cette BD jolie, simple et amusante.
Mimose et Sam vivent dans un jardin magnifique. Pendant que les fraises mûrissent, ils enquêtent afin de découvrir qui grignote les feuilles de Basile le basilic.
On passe un excellent moment, ma fille et moi, à lire et relire cette BD jolie, simple et amusante.
July 14, 2018
Cute little graphic novel, and nice little detective work. The culprit isn't a surprise if you know your insects. It has a nice little lesson on being honest and asking for what you want instead of just taking. Because things freely given are always better.
February 20, 2019
Libraries differ on where this book is shelved. Some call it a picture book, but others call it a graphic novel. An adorable mystery where Poppy & Sam have to figure out who is eating Basil's leaves. Good for one on one discussion. I don't think that it will work as a read aloud.
Read
August 26, 2019A very gentle mystery for new graphic novel readers. The characters' faces have a lot of expression, and it's a pretty cute resolution. Very simple, but it's not like it needs to be complicated for this age group.
January 1, 2021
J'ai reçu cet album jeunesse d'une amie qui sait que j'aime les bandes dessinées de Cathon. L'histoire est assez simple, avec une jolie petite morale pour les enfants, mais le dessin est vraiment la force de cet album! Il y a toujours un petit élément à découvrir dans le décor.
April 7, 2022
This Poppy and Sam book isn't the best one out of the trilogy in my opinion, but it is the first one in the series, and I did still think it was very cute. I really loved the whimsical illustrations, as usual, I especially liked the basil plant. Cute little detective/mystery type book overall!
July 13, 2018
This story is perfect for that special little detective in your life. It can also help introduce kids to gardening and insects. Great for classrooms or cracking the case at home!
July 21, 2018
Coming soon..
September 6, 2018
A great intro to graphics to early readers.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 71 reviews