About This Book
Reach for this book when your child is feeling frustrated by a project that isn't going as planned, or when you want to nurture a sense of humor about life's unexpected detours. It is a brilliant tool for discussing how we define success and whether the joy is in the destination or the journey itself. The story follows two boys, Sam and Dave, who are determined to find something spectacular. As they dig a massive, multi-level hole, they narrowly and hilariously miss giant diamonds hidden just inches away. While the boys conclude their day feeling satisfied with their spectacular adventure, the reader is left with the delightful irony of what they missed. It is a deadpan, visually stunning masterpiece that rewards close observation and encourages resilience through a lighthearted lens.
What Parents Should Know
Sensitive Topics
None.
Ideal Reader
A child who enjoys visual puzzles or "look and find" books, but also a child who struggles with perfectionism and needs to see that a day can be great even if you don't find the "diamond" you were looking for.
Parent Prep
Read this cold, but pay close attention to the illustrations. The dog's eyes and the placement of the diamonds are the real story. Be prepared for a "wait, what happened?" ending that invites rereading. A child expressing disappointment that they didn't "win" or achieve a specific goal after working hard.
Age Experience
Younger children (4-5) will love pointing out the diamonds and shouting at the characters to turn around. Older children (7-8) will appreciate the absurdist humor, the subtle changes in the environment at the end, and the philosophical question of whether the boys actually returned home or landed in a parallel universe.
What Makes It Special
The brilliant use of dramatic irony. The reader knows more than the protagonists, creating a high-engagement experience that makes the child feel like an active participant in the story.
Read plot summary
Sam and Dave decide to dig a hole until they find something spectacular. They dig deep, they dig wide, and they split up, missing enormous diamonds by mere inches at every turn. Eventually, exhausted and empty-handed, they fall through the bottom of the hole and land right back where they started (or do they?), concluding that the day was indeed spectacular.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
Discussion Prompts
1
Look closely at the dog in the pictures. What does the dog know that Sam and Dave don't know?
2
Sam and Dave decided to change direction several times. What would have happened if they had kept digging straight down?
3
At the end, the boys say the day was 'pretty spectacular.' Do you agree with them, even though they didn't find the diamonds?
4
Look at the house on the first page and the house on the last page. Do you notice anything different? Where do you think they ended up?
