Mapping Sam

This gorgeously illustrated story by Joyce Hesselberth follows an adventurous cat named Sam as she explores her neighborhood at night. Informational, beautiful, and deeply moving, Mapping Sam is both a book about how maps work and an engaging character-driven story.

Maps can show us streets and subways and cities and countries. But they can also show us what we can't see, what we can only imagine, or how to build something. In Joyce Hesselberth's Mapping Sam, a cat named Sam puts her family to bed, and then—when all is quiet—heads out to explore her neighborhood. As Sam follows her customary path, wandering farther and farther away from home, readers encounter different kinds of maps illuminating different points of view and the various spots Sam visits. Finally, when Sam reaches her favorite place and confirms that all is well, she heads back home, climbs onto a cozy bed, and falls asleep.