Samantha’s Sandwich Stand by Sonia Saikaley

Samantha’s Sandwich Stand, by Sonia Saikaley, tells the story of how a young girl turns her boring day into an exciting new opportunity, with the help of her friends and family. Samantha begins her day at her father’s store, but she cannot curb her boredom no matter what she tries to do. After stepping outside and seeing a lemonade stand pass by, she has an idea – she decides to set up a sandwich stand to sell her favourite sandwiches.

With her mother’s help, Samantha learns how to make the signature sandwiches and prepares to set up her sandwich stand. Shortly after she begins, she becomes discouraged by the lack of sales. Her friends stop by and immediately offer to help draw in customers. The friends play musical instruments, dance, and communicate with a passing eagle to help bring attention to the sandwiches. Their collaboration works to bring in customers, but more importantly, it brings joy to Samantha.

Samantha’s Sandwich Stand is an encouraging story which demonstrates how important it is to believe in yourself and not give up easily on a dream. The descriptive imagery written by Sonia Saikaley combined with the bright, cheery illustrations by Nathan Frechette provides readers with a clear vision of the story. Combining diversity and inclusiveness, the storyline teaches children how valuable their friends and family can be, as well as how teamwork can help to accomplish a goal.

Sonia Saikaley was born and raised in Ottawa to a big Lebanese family. The daughter of a shopkeeper, she had access to all the treats she wanted. Her first book, The Lebanese Dishwasher, co-won the 2012 Ken Klonsky Novella Contest. She has two poetry collections: Turkish Delight, Montreal Winter and A Samurai’s Pink House. Her novel The Allspice Bath was awarded the 2020 IPPY Gold Medal for Multicultural Fiction. She is a graduate of the University of Ottawa and the Humber School for Writers. Many years ago, she belly-danced her way across Northern Japan and taught English there, too. She loves eating labneh and cucumber pita sandwiches on hot summer days.

Nathan Caro Fréchette is a queer transgender sequential artist, publisher, and author. He has published over a dozen short stories, both graphic and prose, as well as five novels, three graphic novels, and two works of nonfiction. He has taught creative writing for over a decade and has a degree in Film Studies and another in Sequential Art. He was the founder and director of the French Canadian literary magazine Histoires à Boire Debout, and an editor for the French Canadian graphic novel publisher Premières Lignes.

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Renaissance (Sept. 15 2021)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 56 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1990086039
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1990086038

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Melanie Métivier

Children's Picture Book Reviewer

Melanie is the Children's Book reviewer at The Miramichi Reader. She is a mother to two young children Adeline (5 years) and Harlow (3 years). She has a Bachelor of Health Science from Dalhousie University and previously worked as a Radiological Technologist before deciding to pursue a career in health insurance administration. She enjoys sewing, crafting, and going on adventures with her family. Having lived in all three maritime provinces, Melanie now raises her daughters with her husband in Moncton, NB.