A Lion Named Sam Encourages Self-Confidence

Popular Folk Song Inspires Successful Children's Adventure Story

Jan 12, 2009

A make-believe lion springs from his original home within a folk song to the printed page, finding new fans and stirring children's imaginations along the way.

The tale of A Lion Named Sam began as a song, and some four decades later, evolved into an enchanting children’s book that’s now part of the love story shared by its author, Jerre Haskew, and Barbara, his wife.

A founding member of the popular folk act known as The Cumberland Trio, Jerre first penned the story of Sam, the imaginary friend of a young boy, in 1963. The idea to create the friendly lion, a make-believe companion who takes the young boy on adventures while others slumber, was inspired by the author's own childhood memories of an imaginary friend and named in honor of his father, Samuel.

Folk Song Gives Birth to Children's Story With a Message

“So many kids have imaginary playmates; I know I had one,” said Jerre, who noted that A Lion Named Sam suggests such childhood companions can be real.

Within the 18 pages of A Lion Named Sam, which was wonderfully illustrated by New York-based artist Patricia Mayes, Sam sleeps beneath the stairs in the boy’s home until nightfall, when he and the boy can steal away “roamin’ the whole world wide” until a new dawn breaks.

The whimsical tale explores the power of the imagination in each of us, shared Jerre, and encourages young readers “to follow and believe in your dream, even if those closest to you don’t.”

Originally, The Cumberland Trio recorded the lighthearted song in 1964 at Nashville’s famed RCA Studios, with country music legend Chet Atkins at the producing helm. But after the group’s record deal with a New York company went astray, the reel-to-reel tape containing the song was safely tucked away for decades until recently being dusted off and digitally remastered when the act opted to reunite, albeit on a part-time basis.

Children's Book Created for Family Reading

In the meantime, Jerre’s college-sweetheart-turned-spouse took it upon herself to turn the once-popular folk group’s fan-pleasing song into a storybook for children. She did so not only as an anniversary-gift surprise for her husband, but also because she believed the song lyrics would make a wonderful children’s story and wanted to preserve it for her own family and share it with other youngsters.

"Of course, they know that their Dad loves music and used to sing professionally,” Barbara said, regarding their daughters, “but they have no memory of when he was doing this and probably hadn't heard 'Sam' in years.

"For the grandchildren," she continued, "(the book) was a complete surprise. They just don't think of 'Daddy J' as being a songwriter and storyteller. That was one of the reasons I wanted to do this project—so that our children and grandchildren would understand how talented Jerre is and how much music was a part of our courtship and lives."

Meanwhile, A Lion Named Sam, the paperback storybook, has turned into much more than a gift of love within one family. The tale of the magical lion, as it turns out, has found a renaissance following the book’s publication.

'A Lion Named Sam' Adventure Story Promotes Self-Confidence in Children

Moreover, news of Sam—which was dedicated to the Haskews’ two daughters, Bonnie and Holly, and their grandchildren—spread after the Haskews donated more than 7,000 copies of the children’s title and its song CD to nonprofit youth organizations in their home state, including area schools, a local Boys and Girls Club and a Rotary Club, as well as hospitals, specialized children's medical camps and airports.

“Some things you do for money … and some things you do for love,” Barbara has said. “This was done for love.”

To purchase a copy A Lion Named Sam, which includes a digitally remastered CD single of the folk song that inspired the book ($15; including shipping), please visit The Cumberland Trio’s Web site at http://www.cumberlandtrio.com/buy.htm.

The copyright of the article A Lion Named Sam Encourages Self-Confidence in Children’s Books is owned by Lisa L. Rollins. Permission to republish A Lion Named Sam Encourages Self-Confidence in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.