Sammy the Seal audiobook

Sammy the Seal is the dystopian novel that 1984 was meant to be. What is Big Brother if not a semiaquatic anglophone determined to force himself into the lives of unsuspecting humans? Orwell envisioned a world where you were always being watched, whether you liked it or not. This, of course, pales in comparison to Syd Hoff's nightmarish conception of a totalitarian regime that grants a seal the right to take a bath IN YOUR TUB whenever it pleases, whether you like it or not. Sammy is a despot who just happens to spend time in a zoo. He's clearly the Kim Jong-Un of the place. All the other animals are forced to pretend that they're happy for him, smiling toothy, herbivorous smiles as Sammy flops out the door and leaves them all in their cages. Sammy allows the zookeeper to keep up appearances as an authority figure despite his obvious lack of authority. This morphs a man who used to stand for something into a spineless, groveling sycophant that exists only to enable Sammy's innermost fantasies, the most terrifying of which is attending school.Sammy begins his time in the classroom as an anonymous observer, hoping to catch the teacher in the midst of a lesson that she'd live to regret. Having failed to discern anything other than party rhetoric in her teaching, Sammy makes his presence known to her via an off-key rendition of the song that all the students are forced to sing (there's no better tool for molding young minds than a song). As the lesson continues, Sammy starts playing with blocks adorned with the letters of the alphabet, and his illiteracy becomes apparent to the reader. What happens next is hard to understand the first time through. At first, when Sammy provides clear evidence that he can't read, nothing is done to rectify this obvious academic concern. Then, just a few pages later, Hoff writes, "He learned how to read. He learned how to write." And then this happens:Do you see that handwriting? It's immaculate! We've got to get this guy on illuminated manuscripts immediately!So what's going on here? Why did Sammy stink at making words with the blocks only to turn into Máel Muire mac Céilechair in record time? Looking back, it quickly becomes apparent that Sammy could always read. He was able to independently reach a school that he was visiting for the first time, making it very likely he made use of maps and street signs. Sammy's inability to spell anything with the blocks is nothing more than a test. But a test of what? There are two possible explanations, both of them deeply disturbing.The first is a cynical test of loyalty. Sammy feigns illiteracy to see if the teacher or any of her students would bring up such an embarrassing attribute, which would be to no one's detriment but their own. Imagine the potential consequences of acknowledging any trait of Sammy's that contradicts the social policy of apotheosis. If you say Sammy can't read, doesn't that imply that you think he should learn how to read, meaning that his failure to do so to this point is, in your opinion, an error in judgment? Blasphemy gets you nowhere, and it gets you there in a hurry. As terrifying as that idea may be, don't worry, it might be even worse than that. If the teacher would notice Sammy's illiteracy, she would at the very least react in a way to quickly move past the situation. She would more than likely put the blocks away in an attempt to keep the children from noticing what she just noticed, preventing them from saying something stupid that would result in the public execution of their families. But this doesn't occur. Instead, the teacher lets them continue until recess, at which point a casual game of volleyball starts up. What this means, of course, is that she fails to notice Sammy's illiteracy, proving that she has the exact same problem. That's right. This teacher can't read.While this might seem like a bad thing, it's music to Sammy's ears. He wants teachers that can't read because illiterate teachers teach illiterate students, and a population that can't read or write is much easier to control. Sammy is playing the long game, and if this classroom is representative of education throughout Sammy's nation, then he's succeeding. The story ends with Sammy returning to the zoo and declaring, "There's no place like home!" He rejoins his fellow seals and chows down on some fish. This seems uncharacteristic for the seal we know Sammy to be, but there's a reason for this. Rather than end the story of Sammy the Seal, Hoff decided to instead offer the reader a new beginning, a solution to the problems that Sammy creates. Hoff indicates that Sammy is perfectly happy in his zoo enclosure, and only his unnecessary exposure to the outside world turns him into a megalomaniac. If the zookeeper kept Sammy where he was and prevented him from expanding his territory, peace could be possible. In Hoff's mind, if you give the seal some fish and pat him on the head, he probably won't come after you.Syd Hoff and Neville Chamberlain had (at least) two things in common. They both believed in the power of appeasement, and they were both dead wrong. That doesn't mean there aren't lessons to be taken from the cautionary tale of Sammy the Seal. Make sure your kid's teachers know how to read, and if you ever need a calligrapher, hit up the nearest pinniped.

"I want to know what it is like outside the zoo," said the little seal. "I want to go out and look around.""All right, Sammy," said Mr. Johnson. "You have been a good seal. You may go out and see."

This is probably truly the first favorite book I ever had. I like this book so much that I read it to my daughter's Kindergarten class when I was a Mom Reader...I remember reading it as a kid and laughing everytime...moral of the story, there's no place like home.Now I collect Syd Hoff books. Strangely enough, I named my daughter Sydney...not after the author, though :)

I love Syd Hoff's illustrations and you can't really go wrong with his stories either. Your beginning reader will enjoy this one, especially if you follow it up with a movie! When I was a kid, my mom happened to find the 1962 Disney "Sammy, the Way-Out Seal" and we watched it often, wishing we could put a seal in our bathtub too. Reading Level: K - 3rd grades

I love Sammy! Such a great story...a total classic, must-read for every reader =)

Charming illustrations and simplistic text tell the story of Sammy the seal, the curious young resident of the city zoo who yearns to know what life is like out in the city. The zookeeper actually lets him go and Sammy has some silly adventures

Nice, WHO, WHERE, WHAT, HOW, WHY. & setings

Emily TogstadEnglish 121/16/15Sammy The SealI read a children’s book to Austin’s niece Skye. The book was called “Sammy the Seal” written by Syd Hoff. Skye enjoyed the seal. She thought he was really funny. She laughed a lot. I laughed a few times to. The book was really silly. I really liked the book.The main character was a seal named Sammy. He liked exploring and he really loved eating fish. The zookeeper's name was Mr. Johnson. The zookeeper was really nice. He was Sammy’s friend. Sammy also made some friends with children at the local school. None of their names were said. The book was about a seal named Sammy that wanted to get out of the zoo. He asked the zookeeper to let him get out of the zoo for a while. The zookeeper let him go. All the other zoo animals kept asking the seal where he was going. Sammy left the zoo and walked around town and looked at everything. He went to a school and learned how to read and write. After a long day, Sammy went back home to the zoo and ate some fish. The book took place in an average town with a lot of friendly people.The town had a very large zoo with many animals. The name of the town was never said, however according to the pictures there were very large buildings. The book was written in 1959. The book probably took place in the 1950’s.I think this book was written to show that there is no place like home. Although the seal really loved exploring new places, he really loved being back home at the zoo. He was very thankful when he got to eat his fish for dinner like usual. While he was away from home, he missed swimming too. He was constantly looking for water when he was in town. The seal loved the little things in life.I would give this book 4 stars. The book was silly and funny. I would recommend this book to anyone. Even though it’s a children’s book, I really liked it. I think anyone would really enjoy this book.

This is a cute ’I can read level 1’ book great for kids learning to read or starting to read independently. This book is one of the kid's favorite for almost two decades now and still counting. This is one of those evergreen books, that never become old. You literally preserve them for your kids. This story is about a seal named Sammy who wants to leave the zoo for a day to explore the world outside. He sees and perceives the world from his viewpoint. He has some good and some bad experiences. He makes friends and learns new things. He returns zoo in the evening and says there is nothing in the world like to be at home. Although the story is a little unrealistic, it is good to read for kids.

This is a great read for teaching students science as it pertains to animals,natural habitat, diet, etc. An educator can also use the book to teach a little Geography. Sammy is a wonderful character for teaching students how to find one's place in the world.Also, it is a wonderful read for addressing the school culture and the purpose for attending school.

Good book for learners. My mother-in-law picked it out for my children back in the day. They liked how easy it was that my oldest decided she wanted to keep it for her future children. I'm sure they will like it as much as my children did.

Sammy is bored in the zoo and wants to see the world. And being a good seal, the zookeeper lets him.Cute children's book found at a library sale.

One of my childhood books. Great fun learning to read this book and now years later it was nice to remember the innocence of a child.

Cute story for early readers. A seal tired of the zoo, tries to find his place, he is curious about everything. He loves school but is happy to go home, back to the zoo.

Book Title: Sammy the SealAuthor/Illustrator: Syd HoffReading Level: 1.8Book Level: Gr 1-3Book Summary: Sammy the Seal wants to know what life is like outside of the zoo. He leaves the zoo for the day. He goes to the city and finds new things to do. Bookshelf Genre: Picture BooksBookshelf Mentor Writing Traits:Ideas - Sammy the Seal lives in the zoo, and he really wants to know what goes on outside of the zoo. The author does an excellent job at putting Sammy into different locations throughout the city. I love how people and other animals are not phased by a seal walking and talking on the streets. As a classroom activity, I would have students make a graphic organizer of different places they would like to visit and why. Presentation – Each page has an illustration to go along with the words written. The picture is on the top, and the words are written underneath. My students could write their own story about visit a new place, and then draw pictures of themselves in different locations.