Fishing, 2005
Those warm days of summer may encourage many to think about a quiet sport like fishing. Although fishing in a lake or slow moving stream may indeed be a pleasant way to relax for hose who look for a bit more exhilaration deep-sea fishing may be just the sport. Whatever you like the following "fishing" stories should find appeal. For more information visit http://www.fishing-hunting.com/kidsfishing
Reviews
Emma's Vacation
David McPhail
What a message this little board book contains! Emma and her family head out for a vacation. The car is loaded and the trip is long (they made a few wrong turns). When they finally arrive at their cabin in the mountains it is raining and the cabin is non too watertight. When the sun comes out the next day, Emma wants to climb the mountain, but Dad decides that they should drive to the top. They also stop for some fast food for lunch and take excursions bus, boat, bus and train and then spend time at an amusement park. The next day Emma takes a stance "I want to stay here." Mom and Dad are really concerned and ask what they can do. Emma has planned a very special day--they go wading, fishing, berry picking, climbing and then eat their picnic lunch. In the evening, they all pile into the porch hammock and tell stories and sing songs. It was a great day and one that didn't require a lot of fuss or a big cash expenditure. The lesson here may be directed more at parents than kids, but both should enjoy the story and the accompanying soft-toned, watercolor illustrations by McPhail. 2003 (orig. 1987), Dutton/Penguin Putnam, $6.99, Ages 3 to 5. Reviewer: Marilyn Courtot (Children's Literature)
ISBN: 0-525-47108-1
Father Bear's Special Day
Else Holmelund Minarik
Illustrations by Teri Lee
It is Father's Day and Little Bear wants to do something really special with his dad. They decide to go fishing. After setting out, they meet up with Emily who is also on her way to go fishing. Then Duck joins the party. Little Bear is feeling a little put out and even more so when Duck catches the worms that Little Bear forgot and Emily has to bait the hook. Father Bear is very reassuring and tells him that "having you for a son is the only Father's Day present I want." The books have a quick almost retro look but the story is timeless. The anomaly seems to be that Father and Mother Bear as well as Emily are fully clothed while Little Bear is only clad in his natural brown fur. 2003, HarperFestival, $3.99. Ages 4 to 7. Reviewer: Marilyn Courtot (Children's Literature)
ISBN: 0-694-01704-3
Fishing Day
Andrea Davis Pinkney
Illustrated by Shane Evans
Reenie and her Mama wake up early on Saturday mornings to get down to the river before the carp wake. And once those rods hit the water, the fish fairly jump onto their lines! Reenie and Mama have a secret to catching those fish--corn pellets. Worms are too scrawny and the carp like the corn best of all. Often while they are fishing, Peter and his father come down to fish as well. Because Reenie and her Mama are black and Peter and his father are white, they stay on different sides of the riverbank. It is this that prompts Mama to explain the Jim Crow laws to Reenie. "Black people have a place, white people have a place..." she says. But Reenie is not content with that and goes over to Peter and offers him some of her corn pellets. This story of separation is set in simple terms so that young children can understand the reality of the Jim Crow laws. It sends a clear message that it takes just one person reaching out to create a bridge across the dividing waters. Shane Evans' cover illustration is of a beautiful young black girl who is shyly stealing looks at her neighbor and invited you immediately into the book. The illustrations show the river running through almost every page, reminding the reader of the people on different sides of that river. Evans' pictures do not specify a certain time period which allows this book to appear as timeless as the story itself. Fishing Day is about far more than fishing. 2003, Jump At The Sun/Hyperion, $15.99, Ages 5 to 9. Reviewer: Joan Kindig, Ph.D. (Children's Literature)
ISBN: 0-7868-2614-2
ISBN: 0-7868-0766-0
Fly Fishing
Ellen Hopkins
This entry in "The Great Outdoors" series, a part of the Capstone High-Interest Books, describes the equipment, skills, safety issues, and environmental concerns of fly fishing. Pictures are full-color, contemporary, and sometimes generic rather than specific to the text with simple captions that reflect this general connection. While one brown-skinned child is pictured, all adult men and women fly-fishing are white. As in other books in the series, interesting terminology is introduced and a clear discussion of flies is supported with a chart showing several types of dry flies, nymphs, bass bugs, and so forth. Techniques are explained and diagrammed so that readers can understand the mechanics of a cast, for instance. Conservation and safety plus the laws governing what a person can keep are included, and an informative table of six North American fish species with descriptions and very murky, small photographs mounted on distracting birch bark frames end the text. For the reader who has never tried fly fishing, this book gives a fair overview of things one should think about and the terminology and process. Addresses for further information, websites, internet sites, and an index encourage further thought and more research. 2002, Capstone Press, $21.26, Ages 10 to 14. Reviewer: Susan Hepler, Ph.D. (Children's Literature)
ISBN: 0-7368-0914-7
Freshwater Fishing
Ellen Hopkins
This entry in "The Great Outdoors" series, part of the Capstone High-Interest Books, describes the equipment, skills, safety issues, and environmental concerns of freshwater fishing. It includes a discussion of rods and reels, lines, bobbers, sinkers, leaders, and other equipment, as well a recipe for battered filets. A list of equipment appears under a picture display of everything but it is difficult to pick out the depth finder, leaders or lures without knowing something about the sport. However, a labeled display of lures is a clear and creative spread to study. The book ends with safety, conservation progress, and a photo gallery and information on six typical North American freshwater fish, such as bluegill, walleye, and bass. The photos are murky and small, displayed against a distracting birch bark frame, but if you know something about fish, you can make out the catfish's differentiating whiskers or the unmistakable roundness of the bluegill. It is a good introduction to the sport. Index, glossary, and suggested website, sources, and reading are included. 2002, Capstone Press, $21.26, Ages 10 to 14. Reviewer: Susan Hepler, Ph.D. (Children's Literature)
ISBN: 0-7368-0915-5
A Good Day's Fishing
James Prosek
Author, artist, fisherman, Prosek has made his mark as a trout expert with books like Trout: An Illustrated History and Trout of the World. Here he shares his expertise with younger aspiring fishermen or fisherwomen. Beautiful from beginning to end, the book opens with a dark-haired boy in a fisherman's sweater starting out for the day with net and tackle box. But something is missing! As the boy rummages through his tackle box, he shows us the equipment needed to catch perch, sunfish, carp, bass, and his favorite fish, brook trout. Readers will find each lovingly portrayed item fascinating from the many-sized hooks ("Aren't they cool?") to the delicate flies tied from furs and feathers. Not every find is useful; for example, a maggoty old peanut butter and jelly sandwich turns up and (surprise!) an eel. Sharp-eyed detectives may spot a clue about halfway through, but it's still fun to discover at the end the one really indispensable thing for a perfect day's fishing. Prosek's precise but luminous watercolors make each page something to be pored over, whether he's painting a bright yellow perch or the elegant rose-bellied brook trout. A special treat is the informative glossary of lures and flies with their evocative names, each accompanied by its own tiny illustration. Prosek, who lives near a fishing pond in Easton, Connecticut, has produced a lovely picture book for anyone who fishes, dreams of fishing, or senses that "fishing is a pastime that can keep you interested for a lifetime." 2004, Simon & Schuster, Ages 5 to 10, $15.95. Reviewer: Barbara L. Talcroft (Children's Literature)
ISBN: 0-689-85327-0
A Good Day's Fishing
James Prosek
This enticing introduction to fishing can be enjoyed by both neophytes and regular practitioners. The text is simple and brief, beginning with the tackle box. For each lure, fly, or other essential there, our narrator recalls the fish he caught with it. Along with an old sandwich, he finds hooks, tools, a tape measure. But it's only when he comes upon his hat that he can finally take the box, rod, and reel and go fishing. The few words per page serve mainly as the captions for naturalistic watercolors of the wide array of "thing-a-ma-bobs" inside his box. We are led into the book by the large fish that swims right off the double title page. The illustrations are accurate representations, but we can sense the affection Prosek must have for them as well. The scenes of the fish caught are equally naturalistic and appealing, even for non-fisherfolks. The book concludes with an extensive "Lure and Fly Glossary" which explains and illustrates the vast array of types of lures and flies available. 2004, Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, Ages 5 to 10, $15.95. Reviewers: Ken Marantz and Sylvia Marantz(Children's Literature)
ISBN: 0-689-85327-0
Gus and Grandpa Go Fishing
Claudia Mills
Pictures by Catherine Stock
Gus and his family, which includes his Grandpa, are getting ready for a day of fishing. It is exciting because Gus has never been fishing before. Grandpa brought along two old fishing poles while Gus's Dad had a brand new set of gear that he had ordered from a catalog. Grandpa taught Gus how to cast and that was so much fun to practice that Gus kept it up for a long time. He wasn't sure that catching a fish would be as much fun, but finally he did try his hand at fishing. Grandpa caught a fish and everyone cheered. Dad was still trying to figure out how to use his fancy new fishing gear. Finally Gus got a bite, but the fish got away. Later in the afternoon after a delicious picnic, Gus caught a fish. Mom and Dad and Skipper the family dog went for a walk, but Gus and Grandpa "the family fishermen" went back to the lake to see if they could catch a few more. Mills has written another delightful intergenerational story and offered an experience that many city kids may never get to enjoy. It brought back memories of the many times I went fishing with my uncle on a lake near the Delaware Water Gap. Stock's loose watercolor illustrations deftly capture all the nuances of the story and definitely make readers feel that they are part of the scene. 2003, Farrar Straus Giroux, $15.00. Ages 5 to 8. Reviewer: Marilyn Courtot (Children's Literature)
ISBN: 0-374-32815-3
I Can Go Fishing
Edna Eckart
This entry in the "Welcome Books" series is a very early reader, but structured like a regular reference book. It has a table of contents and then each spread contains one page of text and one with a full color photograph. The real treat with this book is that it features a young girl going fishing with her father. Julie has her own fishing rod and puts on her life jacket before she and her dad head out to their fishing spot. Dad ties a hook to her line and she casts it. In no time this little lady hauls in a fish about half the size she is. The only quibble here is that sometimes you can go for hours and not catch a fish and one that size would probably give a small girl like that quite a battle. Regardless, it is nice to see a gather daughter duo undertaking an activity that is usually reserved for fathers and sons. The book has a short glossary to define the bolded words and a few references to find out more (books and an Internet site). The closing page contains and index and very brief information about the author. 2003, Children's Press, Ages 5 to 7, $14.50. Reviewer: Marilyn Courtot
ISBN: 0-516-24279-2
ISBN: 0-516-24371-3
Leaving Protection
Will Hobbs
Sixteen-year-old Robbie leaves his Alaskan island home of Port Protection hoping to realize his dream of fishing for big king salmon during their annual run. At the last minute, he luckily lands a job with Tor, a crusty, mysterious and legendary fishing captain who usually fishes alone. Tor's back injury leads to Robbie's having to do the majority of the fishing, cleaning and storing of their exceedingly large catch. Tor, however, is out to catch more than salmon; he has come upon an old Russian map detailing the locations of historic plaques buried in the late 18th and early 19th centuries along the Pacific shore to stake Russia's claims to the land. He has been systematically uncovering them and intends to sell them rather than turning them over to museums. Robbie begins to fear that he will be expendable after helping Tor realize his dual goals. This is an exciting adventure tale, although a non-fisher might tire of some of the minutely detailed descriptions of salmon fishing. Hobbs does a good job of weaving in history and current issues concerning salmon fishing. Tor is well realized; he is at times friendly, critical, withdrawn, demanding. The first person narrative makes Robbie's story more immediate. The rising storm, both within and around the trawler, builds to an exciting climax; although, the ending is softened with a somewhat sappy denouement. This will have appeal mostly for boys looking for a good outdoor adventure book. BIBLIO: 2004, HarperCollins, Ages 10 to 14, $15.99. Reviewer: Peg Glisson
ISBN: 0-688-17475-2
Let's Fish
Leslie Bockol
Illustrated by Shirley V. Beckes
Let's Fish is a magnetic fishing game concealed in the thick pages of a book designed to teach toddlers how to count from one to 15. Additional basic concepts also come into play -- colors, shapes and sizes, matching, sorting, patterning and size comparisons -- and hand-eye coordination is put to work as kids use a mini-fishing pole to catch fish, frogs, turtles and crabs according to the rhyming text's playful directions. First kids slide out the "pond" drawer, removed the two-sided magnetic animal pieces, and a plastic fishing pole with a magnet "hook." Each page challenges kids to fit the right animals pieces into a matching space before catching them. Kids may not even notice that they're learning fundamental math skills like counting, creating patterns, and sorting. Like all Innovative Kids products, "Let's Fish" is sturdy, colorful, fun and well intentioned. Who can argue with the publisher's mission to design supplemental learning books that children will love to play with? 2003, Innovative Kids, 10 pages, $14.99. Reviewer: Vicki Arkoff (Midwest Book Review, "Vicki's Bookshelf" column, August 2003)
ISBN: 1-58476-164-4
A Nice Party
Elle van Lieshout & Erik van Os
Illustrations by Paula Gerritsen
Boris can't believe that his friend Gus is not looking forward to his birthday party. But Gus lists the reasons his family's parties are the worst. His grandmother treats him like a baby, and his cousins always eat all the cake. Boris suggests that they just go fishing all day. They leave a note and take a cake to the river. Meanwhile Gus's family all have a great time and don't even miss him. Gus's aunt does grumble about him not showing up. "But Gus didn't mind. Not one little bit." This brief tale is set visually on the jacket, where the bear pals are happily on their way to their private party, fishing poles and cake in hand. The front end-papers show a red balloon flying off above flowering trees into the blue; on the back end-papers party decorations are caught in the trees above the flowers. Sketchy lines and almost opaque paint produce the appealing bulky bears in their woodsy settings on double pages full of fun. 2002, Lemniscaat/Front Street, $15.95. Ages 3 to 6. Reviewers: Ken Marantz and Sylvia Marantz (Children's Literature)
This wonderfully illustrated book about two bear friends speaks to every child who can't stand to be pinched on the cheek by an overwhelming adult. Gus is terribly gloomy. Tomorrow is his birthday and he can't stand the thought of his family throwing him the absolute worst party. Boris comes to the rescue, singing Happy Birthday early in the morning and taking Gus fishing. Gus's family shows up, reads his apologetic note, and parties without him. Meanwhile, Gus and Boris are perfectly happy, fishing and eating birthday cake. Young children will enjoy the young bears' escape from family obligations and their enjoyment of a quiet day on their own. Expressive illustrations add to the humor of the book. 2002, Front Street/Lemniscaat, $15.95. Ages 3 to 8. Reviewer: Elisabeth Greenberg (Children's Literature)
ISBN: 1-8869-1089-8
Saltwater Fishing
Laura Purdie Salas
One of the "Great Outdoors" series, this book is aimed at those kids with low reading skills but older and therefore interested in a subject such as saltwater fishing. The text is uninspired with its simple sentences mostly declarative, but it does provide information about those who fish in salt waters for both pleasure and a living. Statistics are sometimes fun and kids will read that 15 million people saltwater fish for fun in the United States and that commercial fishermen caught woo times as many fish as did those who fish for recreation. There are color pictures, recipes, illustrations that label the equipment and a section in the back of the book that describes some of the more common American species of saltwater fish. There is a brief glossary, a few more books to read, and a list of organizations and Internet sites that can provide more information. Serviceable, but nothing outstanding. 2004, Capstone, Ages 8 up, $22.60. Reviewer Marilyn Courtot (Children's Literature)
ISBN: 0-7368-2412-X
Sea Gift
John Ashby
Lauchie's father died at sea, so it took some convincing to get his mother to let him and his best friend spend the summer lobster fishing. Both boys were looking forward to a summer of excitement and adventure, but both got more than they had counted on. While pulling up lobster traps, instead of lobsters, Lauchie finds a very old, sealed crock. When he and his friend open it, they find a flintlock pistol and a letter giving directions to a treasure of gold coins. Being typical boys, they can think of nothing else but to find the treasure, never thinking that there might be dangers along the way. While following the map of the treasure, the boys come to a hidden cave, which nearly takes their lives when part of the cave collapses. This was a situation neither had thought of ever happening. I'll leave it there so as not to give the ending away. Throughout the story, the author gives much detail and information about the people who live on Cape Breton Island and uses fishing vocabulary that adds interest and gives the story authenticity. This adventure is like a rite of passage for thirteen-year-old Lauchie as he learns valuables lessons and information about himself and for the first time, begins to understand who he is as a person. 2003, Clarion Books, $15.00. Ages 10 to 14. Reviewer: Marilyn Courtot (Children's Literature)
This is definitely a "Boy's" book and one that can get even the reluctant reader to pick up and read. Lauchie spends his summer fishing for lobsters and pulls up a trap filled with an old, sealed container. The contents hold many items, but what gets Lauchie excited is the treasure map with directions to find hidden gold coins. He and his friend Angus set off on what they hope is an experience to remember. The map leads them to a cave where hidden dangers await them. The author uses wonderful word choice to describe the adventures of the two boys and pulls the reader into the small community in Nova Scotia. Lauchie is rewarded twofold with getting to know himself, growing up and becoming more aware of where he lives and how valuable his community really is to him. "Sea Gift" is a must have for middle school classroom libraries and would also be a great gift for a young boy who is just beginning to figure out who he is. 2003, Clarion Books, $15.00. Ages 12 to 14. Reviewer: Kathie M. Josephs (Children's Literature)
Best Books:
The Children's Literature Choice List, 2004;
Children's Literature; United States
ISBN: 0-395-77603-1
World Fishing
Jonathan Bocknek
Humankind has fished for a living ever since folks discovered the seemingly bountiful food of the sea. At first, fishing may have been to feed a single family or tribe. Now, with more efficient technologies, fish are being harvested at an enormous rate and people realize the finite nature of the sea's creatures. But can a nation like the U. S. dictate how much harvest that a poor third-world country can take? How about nations like Japan, whose culture, traditions and livelihood depend on what some scientists claim is over-fishing? These issues must be dealt with in a global, not territorial light. This book, part of the "Understanding Global Issues" series takes on world fishing in a thoughtful and effective way, with such subjects as fisheries management, the world fishing industry, technologies of fishing, the marine environment, and more. Along the way, the book features careers in fisheries such as marine biologist and oceanographer, plus thoughtful biographies of Rachel Carson and Jacques Cousteau. I handed this book to a professor at Duke University's Marine Laboratory, which offers courses on marine conservation and policy. He said, "I could use this in my marine conservation class." This is a fine book for use in science and marine biology classes in both middle school and high school. Illustrations, graphs, charts and bibliography are top-notch. 2004, Weigl Publishers Inc/Smart Apple Media, $28.50. Ages 14 to Adult. Reviewer: Judy Crowder (Children's Literature)
ISBN: 1-5834-0362-0
The Young Man and the Sea
Rodman Philbrick
The prose is not as memorable as Hemingway's but the pace of Rodman Philbrick's nod to the classic is probably more in keeping with the attention span of today's young readers. The story is told by a 12-year-old boy on the New England coast. His mother has died, leaving him with his despondent and alcoholic father. His grammar is weak but his determination is not, in spite of his small size and perpetual bullying by the rich boy in town. Desperate for funds to repair his father's boat, Skiffy heads out to sea alone to harpoon a tuna that could fetch thousands of dollars in Japan. There are a few instances of particularly descriptive writing: "The thing about drifting the creek at night is how it makes you feel invisible...You can see the tall pines standing like an army of zombies along the store, with stars for eyes and the wind moving their ragged arms, but they can't find you." There are words of wisdom that Skiffy learned from his mom and young readers can learn from Skiffy: Think smart. Speak true. Never give up. Skiffy never gave up and therein lies a tale of drama and suspense, which unlike a weekly television series, doesn't let you know until the very end whether the hero lives or dies. 2004, Blue Sky Press, $16.95, Ages 10 to 15. Reviewer: Karen Leggett (Children's Literature)
Best Books:
School Library Journal Book Review Stars, February 2004;
Cahners; United States
ISBN: 0-439-36829-4
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Updated 8/16/04
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