ALA Booklist (Thu Jul 01 00:00:00 CDT 1999)

for reading aloud. In the third book in Lowry's series about Anastasia's spunky little brother, Sam Krupnick really comes into his own: his dream of becoming someone special (Chief of Wonderfulness) comes true when he learns how to read. His nursery-school classroom is the setting for much of the story, and Lowry has preschool dynamics down beautifully--from the patient and loving but harried teachers to the energetic kids, in tears one moment, giggling delightedly the next. Her setup is fresh and funny as well: the baseball caps Sam wears as zooman (there wasn't enough room to put zookeeper on his Future Job Day costume) do more than promote sports teams and identify the animals zookeepers care for; they reinforce Sam's blossoming reading skills. Lowry gets everything about Sam just right. Joyous, grumpy, sad, surprisingly delightful by turns, he's hard to resist; and he knows his loving, warmly drawn family is behind him all the way. The ease with which Sam confronts some fairly complicated language at the close is a bit of a stretch, but his surprise and pride at being able to read will strike a chord among readers, and his wholly childlike trials and tribulations will make wonderful read-alouds. (Reviewed July 1999)

Horn Book (Sat Apr 01 00:00:00 CST 2000)

It's Future Job Day at Sam's nursery school, and Sam, who has zookeeping aspirations, is thrilled when his teacher says he can tell the other children about a series of zoo animals: "For six weeks he could stand in front of the circle and feel that feeling of being the most interesting person in the room." Lowry spins interesting variations on her theme, and the book ends with a swell (and well-prepared) surprise.

Kirkus Reviews (Thu Apr 01 00:00:00 CST 1999)

For "Future Job Day" at Sam Krupnik's nursery school, the four-year-olds have been instructed to dress up as representatives of their desired profession. Sam doesn't want to be a fireman, as do all the other boys in his class. Instead he wants to be "somebody important, somebody interesting, somebody more than ordinary," a secret concept he privately and quite marvelously dubs "the Chief of Wonderfulness." With the assistance of his impossibly even-tempered mother and ever-helpful sister, Anastasia, Sam dresses up in a spiffy homemade zookeeper's costume. Sam's teacher allows Sam to tell his class about a different zoo animal every day, a privilege that he finds both thrilling and challenging. The plotting is leisurely, the story is slender, and a subplot about the training of the family dog barely registers. This cast of familiar characters isn't as vibrant as usual, and the material runs out of steam before the novel ends. Fans of the Sam books may find satisfaction in the nicely foreshadowed but still unanticipated punch line. (Fiction. 7-12)

School Library Journal (Thu Apr 01 00:00:00 CST 1999)

K-Gr 4 Four-year-old Sam Krupnik longs for recognition and a moment in the spotlight. Fortunately, he has an understanding and patient family so that when he decides to be a zookeeper for Future Job Day at his nursery school, his mother stitches up a uniform and his older sister, Anastasia, provides 30 hats, each with an animal's name on it (Cubs, Gaitors, Lions, etc.), donated by her friend's sportscaster father. Sam also has an understanding teacher who uses the boy's lengthy presentation to discuss one animal each day and to read an appropriate book. In the process of choosing his hat for each day and talking about the animals, Sam has learned to read, and impressing others doesn't matter that much any longer. Another visit with the Krupniks is time well spent, for they are uncomplicated, funny, and unpretentious. A few black-and-white drawings are scattered throughout and add to the fun. Great as a read-alone, or as a read-aloud to younger children. Marlene Gawron, Orange County Library, Orlando, FL Copyright 1999 Cahners Business Information.