Samantha the Snob: Book & CD Edition    by Kathryn Cristaldi & Denise Brunkus Order:  USA  Can Random House, 2006 (2003) Hardcover Read an Excerpt     Reviewed by J. A. Kaszuba Locke There's a new girl in my schoolroom, says the narrator. Her name is Samantha S. Van Dorf, and I think her middle initial stands for Snob. Samantha is from a wealthy family. She dresses in fancy designer hats, clothes, and a fur coat. While all the other students ride the school bus, Samantha arrives in a limousine. Today it is my turn to feed the cute class gerbil, Walter. But, when the cage door opens, Walter runs out, happy to be on the loose. When the teacher asks who let the gerbil out, Samantha points at me - what a tattle-tale. We are invited to Samantha's birthday party, with pony rides, games, and an indoor swimming pool. I am surprised that my friends are so happy about going. Mom and Dad tell me I should get to know Samantha better before I pass judgment. On the day of the party, Samantha ends up as my partner in games like the three-legged race, and an egg race. Hmm! Samantha makes a good partner, and she even has a squirt-gun ring just like mine! Kathryn Cristaldi's style of brisk, short-sentences is perfect for youngsters reading on their own, and her story offers a good lesson about jealousy. Denise Brunkus's expressive, splashy, full-color illustrations add to the understanding, while the Read-Along and Storytelling CD packaged with the book and narrated by Eve Blane, adds to the fun and assists with reading. Note: Opinions expressed in reviews and articles on this site are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of BookLoons. Find more Kids books on our Shelves or in our book Reviews