Fishing Sunday [Hardcover]

Tony Johnston (Author), Barry Root (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 4 and up

A young boy is embarrassed by his grandfather's old Japanese ways, but on one of their Fishing Sundays, he learns to see Grandfather in a new light.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 3?A young Japanese-American boy is embarrassed to be seen in public with his grandfather. On their Sunday fishing trips, the old man dresses in tattered clothes and walks barefoot, exposing ugly feet with sharp black toenails. On the boat, he begs the fish to come to him; when they do, he thanks them. But then one Sunday, the boy hears another fisherman imitating his grandfather, and even catching a fish, so he tries fish-talk himself. No luck, but Grandfather sees the boy's disappointment, comforts him, and gives him a fish-hook he has fashioned out of bone. The boy sees the beauty of the hook, and begins to see his grandfather in another light. Was it the gift that changed the boy's view? Or Grandfather's love? Or the respect shown by other fishermen? Johnston leaves it up to readers to decide. The illustrations, done in watercolor and gouache, are aglow with the sun and alive with the waves, and clouds, and the faces of the people. It is in the faces that the drama of the story can be seen?Grandfather's love of life and of his grandson, the boy's growth from resignation to wonder and to love. It's a heartening story about the possibility of change.?Virginia Golodetz, St. Michael's College, Winooski, VT
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Ages 4^-8. A young boy hates his grandfather's Sunday morning fishing excursions. The older man refuses to wear shoes to cover his blackened toenails, uses handmade bone fishhooks, and talks to the fish--seemingly unaware that his behaviors cause deep embarrassment for his grandson. Then, one Fishing Sunday the boy observes Grandfather from a fresh perspective, finally noticing the beauty in all his eccentricities. Root's watercolor-and-gouache illustrations feature rich hues of brown and green, appropriate to the story's quiet seaside setting. A closer look reveals more subtle details of this clash of generations--a soccer ball and a baseball cap versus worn clothing and a handmade bamboo fishing pole. A good choice for Grandparent's Day story hours, this will also be helpful for young listeners trying to reconcile old-world family traditions with modern American life. Kay Weisman

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Hardcover: 1 pages
• Publisher: HarperCollins (April 19, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0688134580
• ISBN-13: 978-0688134587
• Product Dimensions: 11.3 x 8.8 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.5 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,191,523 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A universal lesson rooted in the particular, August 3, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: Fishing Sunday (Hardcover)

Without being preachy, Tony Johnston reminds us that sometimes it takes a shift in perspective to recognize our treasures. Uri Shulevitz did this with THE TREASURE, another book of great loveliness. Children may respond even more to this universal lesson through reading Johnston's book, which is rooted in the life of one young Japanese American boy learning to love and appreciate his grandfather. The details in this book are so lovingly, tenderly included, and Barry Root's watercolor/gouache illustrations complement Johnston's spare, lyrical prose beautifully. This exquisite book goes beyond the 4 to 8 crowd. It touched the hearts of all my family - teenager included. I've yet to read it without feeling tears -- or wanting to kick off my shoes. You'll have to read FISHING SUNDAY to find out what that means