We read this book from a completely different perspective than most; our Papa is the kids grandfather, so my children relate the story to their own adventures with their Grandpa, a.k.a Papa, and not their dad. It is a pretty slick and young looking Papa, I must add, my dad would be proud that they pretend believe he’s just as young and charming!
It also is something that my dad has countless times done with myself and my siblings, a fishing trip with the catch of the day brought home to my mom to cook. The illustrations are well done, the tale is charming and the ending is sweet. If you know any family who enjoys fishing, this is a perfect gift for their child.
Reading level: 4 to 8
Page Count: 40 pages
Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux
What to expect: a lovely tale about an entire day of fishing; from digging the worms to baiting the hook, ending with a father and daughter sitting on the front porch swinging together.
Publisher’s synopsis: A father and his little girl set out early one morning to go fishing. The girl watches her father closely, noticing how he plucks the worms from the soil with his bare hands, not with a trowel as she does. How he casts his fishing line far out into the lake, while she drops hers over the side of the boat. How patient he is waiting for the fish to bite, while she is restless. His way does not match hers, but that’s just fine. In the end she gives Papa an affectionate pat on the back when he catches a fish, just as he patted her back earlier when she caught one.
The happy spirit of this father-daughter outing is fully captured in comforting earth-toned illustrations.
About the Author: KATE BANKS is the author of many books for children and young adults, including Max’s Words, a Children’s Book Sense Pick, among other honors, and, most recently, Max’s Dragon. She lives in the South of France. LAUREN CASTILLO’s first picture book, What Happens on Wednesdays by Emily Jenkins, was declared “an extremely promising debut” in a starred review from Booklist. She lives in Brooklyn, New York.
Our Rating: 4.5/5