Sam, Bangs & Moonshine facts for kids

Sam, Bangs & Moonshine

Sam, Bangs and Moonshine
Author	Evaline Ness
Illustrator	Evaline Ness
Country	United States
Genre	Children's picture book
Publisher	Holt, Rinehart and Winston
Publication date	1966
ISBN	0-8050-0315-0
OCLC	15669964

Sam, Bangs & Moonshine is a beloved children's book from 1966. It was both written and illustrated by the talented Evaline Ness. This book is famous for its beautiful pictures, which helped it win the prestigious Caldecott Medal in 1967. It's a story about imagination, truth, and learning important lessons.

What is Sam, Bangs & Moonshine About?

This story follows a young girl named Samantha, but everyone calls her Sam. She lives with her fisherman father and doesn't have a mother. To fill her days, Sam loves to make up stories and pretend.

Meet Sam and Her Imagination

Sam has a very active imagination! She pretends her mother is a beautiful mermaid living in the sea. She also believes her cat, Bangs, can talk to her. And sometimes, she even tells people she has a pet kangaroo! Sam enjoys her make-believe world more than real life.

Her father, however, calls her made-up stories "moonshine." He often warns Sam that her "moonshine" could one day lead her into big trouble. He wants her to understand the difference between what's real and what's just pretend.

A Dangerous Adventure Begins

A little boy named Thomas lives nearby and is Sam's neighbor. He is very young and believes everything Sam tells him. One day, Thomas really wants to see Sam's mermaid mother. Sam tells him about a cove not too far away where he can find her.

Thomas, excited and believing Sam's story, sets off for the cove. Sam's cat, Bangs, follows him. It seems like a fun adventure, but things are about to get serious.

Lost in the Storm

As Thomas and Bangs are on their way to the cove, a big seastorm suddenly hits. The weather turns bad very quickly, and the little boy and the cat get lost. They are caught in the storm and can't find their way home.

Back at home, Sam starts to worry. When Thomas and Bangs don't come back, she becomes very scared. She realizes that her "moonshine" might have put her friend in danger. Tearfully, she asks her father for help to find them.

Learning a Big Lesson

Luckily, Thomas is found alive, though he is now sick from being out in the storm. Bangs the cat is also found safe later on. Seeing Thomas ill makes Sam truly understand the importance of telling the truth. She learns that it's important to tell people about things that are real, especially when someone's safety is involved, instead of just making up "moonshine."

A Real and Wonderful Surprise

Sam feels very sorry for what happened. She apologizes to Thomas, who is recovering from his illness. To cheer him up, Sam shows him something special. It's something that is both real and still feels a little bit magical, just like a good story should be. This moment shows Sam has learned her lesson and is ready to appreciate the wonders of the real world.