A Compliment with Wings - by Pimm Van Hest (Hardcover)

About the Book

Sammy wakes up cheerfully and pays his mom a sweet compliment. She's so happy that she decideds to surprise him. That surprise leads to a kiss, butterflies, a lost treasure, ice cream, and a little dog called...Sammy!

Book Synopsis

A warm, loving, and inspiring story that shows children what paying someone a compliment can do. For children ages 5 years and up.

Sammy wakes up with a big smile on his face. When he pays his mother a compliment, he sets something special in motion. His compliment rises, flutters on, and inspires everyone in its path. Through his mother, his friend Moira, two teachers in love, and many others, it finally comes back to . . . guess who? How a few loving words can change the whole world!

"Proof that one small act can have a very far reach." -Kirkus Reviews

Review Quotes

"A single ray of sun sets off a domino effect of good deeds and smiles. When Sammy wakes up, he can't help but compliment his mother, who's standing in the sunlight from the window, glowing. "You look so beautiful, Mom," he tells her. This warms her heart, and she decides to surprise him with pancakes in his lunch box. When Sammy shares them with Moira at lunchtime, Mr. Silas sees the interaction and decides to muster the courage to ask Mr. Billy to dinner. Seeds from a dandelion puff soar through the pages, connecting one person to the next as their actions tumble over each other, setting off a chain reaction. Mr. Billy is so happy that he moves his classroom outdoors, and two students find a lost locket in the sandbox. This necklace belongs to Annie, whose mother gave it to her before she passed away. The story comes full circle as Annie's family gets a dog from the shelter--where Sammy's mom works. The special little pup is named after the boy whose compliment started it all. This soft-spoken Dutch translation, with downy, pastel art, calmly drifts along, matching the gentle floating of the dandelion fluff. Sammy, his mother, Mr. Billy, Annie, and most other characters present white, although characters of color, including brown-skinned Mr. Silas, are featured. Proof that one small act can have a very far reach." -Kirkus Reviews

About the Author

Pimm van Hest (1975) was born in Veldhoven, the Netherlands. After having worked as a teacher for one year he started his studies "psychology" when he met his present partner. Soon it became clear they wanted to adopt a child. In 2007 their daughter Moira came into their lives. Moira's arrival was the inspiration for his first book.

Nynke Mare Talsma was in born in Delfzijl (the Netherlands) in 1975. She studied at the Art Academy in Kampen with specialization 'children's book illustration' Since 1999 she works as an illustrator of children's books and educational books. In her work, she often uses aquarel, pen and ink, pencil, acrylic paint, and sometimes self-made stamps. Together with her husband, and two children, she lives in the neighborhood of Apeldoorn.