Sam and the Tigers: A New Telling of Little Black Sambo

Julius Lester and Jerry Pinkney brilliantly reclaim the problematic "Little Black Sambo" story, transforming it into an empowering tale of a clever African American boy named Sam. When Sam encounters a group of hungry, bumbling tigers, he uses his ingenuity and wit to outsmart them, leading to a hilarious and satisfying conclusion. This book offers a wonderful opportunity to discuss the history of stories, cultural representation, and the power of cleverness, all while providing pure entertainment for young readers. It's a vibrant, humorous adventure that celebrates a child's intelligence.

A retelling of "Little Black Sambo" relates what happens when a little boy named Sam matches wits with several tigers that want to eat him.