Review: NUMBER ONE SAM by Greg Pizzoli (C)

NUMBER ONE SAM

by Greg Pizzoli

Release date: May 13th, 2014

Published by: Disney-Hyperion

Genre: Children's Picture Book

Format: Hardcover, eBook

Format read: Signed hardcover from BEA.

SUMMARY

They're off! 
Sam is the best race-car driver in history - 
he is number one at every race!

But when his best friend, Maggie, shows that she has racing talent of her own, 
Sam doesn't know how to handle coming in second place. 

Will he learn what it truly means to be a winner?

MY REVIEW

This picture book easily became a favorite just by seeing it from the corner of my eye while standing in line at BEA. The cover alone instantly caught my attention - the classic look, colors and illustrations reminded me of my own childhood. I just knew that I had to have this book!

NUMBER ONE SAM is about a pup named Sam who is used to always being the best race car driver and coming into first place in all the races. On the day of the biggest race yet, Sam is not worried that he will excel and win the trophy again. His overconfidence keeps him right up front right next to his best friend, Maggie. They ride beside each other right to the end... and Maggie wins!
Sam doesn't know what to do. He's the best racer, how could this have happened? He doesn't even know what to say to Maggie; so he doesn't say anything at all...
And during the next race, Sam has to make an important decision that will cause him to lose again.
Sam has never lost before? What will he do? Can he risk losing again?

Sam will teach our kids what it is to be a good sport, that winning isn't everything and whether you win or lose, your friends will always be there for you. 

Adorable story with the cutest illustrations! I highly recommend this book to everyone that has little ones (preschoolers/kindergartners) and all those who adore and collect picture books - this one is sure to brighten up your day and your bookshelf!

*A signed hardcover copy was obtained at BEA for an honest review. All thoughts are my own.

My day at BEA2014 and Book Haul :)

BEA was wonderful this year!
I decided to keep things easy and light since I was going in by myself for the first time on the train - I had never ridden on a train before, and was a bit nervous. So proud of myself ! Finally taking a step in getting over one of my fears! And getting through the day, on my own, and coming back in one piece! This may be silly to most of you, but this was a really big day for me, in so many ways. I can't stop smiling thinking about it all, lol!

I also took my FIRST cab ride ever!!! AND I hailed it all on my own!!!

*pats self on back*

WELCOME TO BEA!!!

LOVED seeing Lauren Oliver's ROOMS on their doors, such an awesome welcome sign!

Too bad her line was too long to get a copy... must remember to sign-up for it at the library.

I got to the Javits Center a bit late, about 8:30ish. Which was actually a good thing because I didn't have to wait on any lines to get my badge or check in my bag. But, I did miss out on the majority of the Harlequin Teen Breakfast. I now know how to plan better for next year!
The little bit of the breakfast that I was there for was amazing, saw a lot of familiar bloggers and got to speak to Julie Kagawa, Jennifer L. Armentrout and Adi Alsaid! So happy I was able to talk to the authors I wanted to the most!

After the breakfast, made a quick trip to the loo! Walked by these amazingly HUGE banner ads for Rick Yancy, Scott Westerfeld, Adi Alsaid and Jodi Picoult, and headed up to the main floor...
I walked around in a daze for the first 45 minutes and saw a few things like...

The DK booth! LEGO STAR WARS!!!

And then finally decided to take a peek at my schedule and decided to go to Jennifer Donnelly's signing for DEEP BLUE :) 

While standing on line, I met a lovely woman who owns a bookstore in Alaska! She was the most nicest person I spoke to all day! I wish I had gotten her card to keep in touch... 

After that, I walked around for a bit, visited Harlequin's booth and saw a Fiat for Adi Alsaid's LET'S GET LOST! I wish I could have driven this home rather than taking the crowded train back home!!!

Walked around a bit more, and visited Macmillan's booth and got a peek at RAINBOW ROWELL signing LANDLINE! Her line was ticketed and I was way too late, lol!

Got to see/meet a few bloggers!!!... the best time to chat is when you're standing in a 'signing line' waiting and waiting... These are the only pics I managed to take! I was in awe, I kept forgetting to take a pic with people, lol!

I met Lauren of Love is Not a Triangle :) 

She was so sweet!
I got to tag along with her to Scholastic's booth for the SINNER book drop
and then to Melissa Marr's MADE FOR YOU signing :)

Also, while waiting for Melissa Marr, I ran into... 

Danny of Bewitched Bookworms and Jenny of Supernatural Snark!
Both girlies also manage Kismet Book Tours :)

After that signing, I decided to take one last stroll around the floor and ran into BILLY IDOL!!!
*White Wedding*

Around this time, I managed to pick up a copy of Afterworlds by Scott Westerfeld -
my day was complete! It was time to go home...

Until I ran into R. L. STINE!!!

And then I was definitely done!!!
I ended up leaving a little after 2pm and catching the 3:07pm train home, lol!

Goodbye BEA!!! Until next time :) 

Train ride home selfie :) with Little Elliot tote bag!

Now unto my BEA bookhaul ;)
I was very picky about what to take. I didn't want to take books I didn't know anything about, nor did I want to carry anything more than I wanted to, lol!

A few Young Adult books... 

I received all of the Harlequin Teen books in a tote during their breakfast that morning :)
For the other books, I waiting on lines for, except for Vampires of Manhattan and Afterworlds, I just happen to be walking by at the right time - lucky me!

- TALON (signed ARC) by Julie Kagawa
- MADE FOR YOU (signed ARC) by Melissa Marr
- SINNER (The Wolves of Mercy Falls #3.5) (ARC) by Maggie Stiefvater
- GHOST HOUSE (ARC) by Alexandra Adornetto
- THE YOUNG ELITES (Sampler) by Marie Lu
- DEEP BLUE (Waterfire Saga #1) (signed HB) by Jennifer Donnelly
- THE IRON TRIAL (Magisterium #1) (ARC) by Holly Black & Cassandra Clare (MG)
- VAMPIRES OF MANHATTAN (ARC) by Melissa de la Cruz (New Adult)
- LET'S GET LOST (signed Sampler) by Adi Alsaid
- THE FIRE ARTIST (ARC) by Daisy Whitney
- LIES WE TELL OURSELVES (ARC) by Robin Talley
- AFTERWORLDS (ARC) by Scott Westerfeld
- INVISIBLE (The Twixt #2) by Dawn Metcalf

A few middle grade books... (1 children's picture book)

The author to Number One Sam, Greg Pizzoli, just happened to be signing next to Jennifer Donnelly, I spotted his book while standing on line and I just knew that I had to get a signed copy for my baby boy Sam :) His first signed book! It's SO adorable!!! I hope he grows up to love books just as much as his brothers and I do!

- THE 8TH CONTINENT (HB ARC) by Matt London
- A PLAGUE OF UNICORNS (ARC) by Jane Yolen
- HOUSE OF ROBOTS (ARC) by James Patterson and Chris Grabenstein
- THE QWIKPICK PAPERS: Journey to the Fountain of Poop by Tom Angleberger
- STICK DOG (Sampler) by Tom Watson
- TOTO TROUBLE #2: BACK TO CRASS (Graphic Novel PB) by Thierry Copee
- NUMBER ONE SAM (signed HB) by Greg Pizzoli (Children's Picture Book)

TOTE BAGS!!!

SWAG!!!

And that was my glorious BEA day!

Such a fun experience! It was so well organized and calmer this year - I had gone to BEA 2 years ago and it was so overwhelming and chaotic. And the publishers were even more welcoming and willing to talk and share. And again, seeing so many blogging friends and familiar faces, made it all even better!

Can't wait to go again next year... and hopefully last longer than just a few hours, lol!