Our Friend Sam

**Mercer Mayer's Little Critter First Readers (Level 3 Gr.1-2) Winner! Children's Choices 20.** Let Little Critter(R) take your child on a reading adventure! Little Critter and Gabby befriend a caterpillar. They name him Sam and take care of him until, one day, Sam builds a cocoon and turns into a beautiful butterfly.
Young Readers will enjoy these simple and engaging stories written with their reading level in mind. Featuring Mercer Mayer's charming illustrations and favorite Little Critter characters, children will want to open these books again and again. To ensure reading success, the First Readers were based on McGraw-Hill's respected educational SRA Open Court Reading Program. Skills activities in the back of the book also help reinforce learning, and a word list is included for vocabulary practice.

**Mercer Mayer – writer and illustrator for Little Critter First Readers, as well as Little Critter Spectrum,** began writing and illustrating children’s books in 1966 and since that time, he has published over 300 titles. Open almost any of the award-winning author-illustrator’s books, and out may pop dragons, cuddly monsters, wonderful creatures, and endearing critters. **“Most of my books are about things that happened to me when I was a little kid,” says Mercer. “Now that I’m a big kid, I write about things that happen now, especially with my own children. They always help remind me of what it was like.”**
Born in Little Rock, Arkansas, Mercer Mayer spent his childhood hunting lizards and snakes in the swamps near his home. During his teenage years, he attended the Honolulu Academy of Arts. He later received additional training at the Art Students League in New York City. Upon completion of his studies, he set out with pen and ink to write and illustrate a collection of children’s book, reflecting many of the adventures he experienced as a child.