Shifty McGifty and Slippery Sam: Pirates Ahoy!
I have to confess that I am something of a Shifty and Sam superfan! Since their first picture book won the first North Somerset Teachers’ Book Awards picture book category in 2015, I have eagerly awaited each new adventure and have read these stories to many children, many times. So I was delighted to discover that Shifty McGifty and Slippery Sam are off on a new adventure and I set out to buy it on my trip to Bath today.
The loveable robber-dogs-turned-bakers are catering for a pirate party when Captain Chucklebeard’s treasure is stolen. The party band is really a pirate gang who have made off with the treasure. But Shifty and Sam zip into action, saving the day!
Tracey’s rhyming text is a joy to read aloud! It captures the energy and excitement of the tale perfectly whilst Steven’s illustrations are full of visual humour and such detail. I am delighted to see that the lovely little spider has made a return and can be found on every page, encouraging children (and adults!) to pour over each spread. This winning team has produced another winning book!
My love of these two characters has meant that I have made Sam cupcakes, a Sam pumpkin, a Sam balloon and a miniature Sam toy. This is because, being very limited artistically, Sam’s shape makes him relatively easy to draw and so once again, I have used him as the inspiration for this simple making activity! You will need card, scissors and felt pens. The card can be from a cereal packet or similar, but will need to be coloured/ painted to match Sam.
First, find a circular object and draw round this twice on card. One piece is for Sam’s body and so will need to be brown. Cut each circle out carefully- the more circular they are, the better the end result! Fold one in half- this is for the rocker and so doesn’t need to be brown. Next, cut a piece of white card (or you could use paper) to make Sam’s jacket. You can do this by cutting another circle and cutting off the top and bottom if you find it easier.
Cut two small rectangles of white card for Sam’s arms, adding brown semi-circles to one end for his paws. Stick these behind the white ‘jacket’ and then stick this to the body. Decorate this with felt tips so that it looks like Sam’s jacket in the illustrations. Now cut two small white circles (for the eyes) and two small brown circles (for the ears) and stick these in place. Now, add the rest of Sam’s facial features using felt tip (see first picture below). Next, cut two small rectangles of brown card for Sam’s legs, rounding off one end for his paws. Cut a chef’s hat from white card and stick this and the legs in place. Turn Sam over and attach the second folded circle carefully to the back, making sure you line the edges up carefully.
Tap one of his arms gently and watch him rock from side to side! Now, if only I could draw Shifty..!
