Opening Day (Hardcover)

by Susan Bartlett (Author), Luanne Wrenn (Illustrator) "Four-thirty!" Sam woke up as soon as he heard his father call..." (more)

Editorial Reviews

Review
"...tackles issue of the kill without taking sides...about friendship surviving a difference in value systems, about what the outdoor experience offers our youth.." -- Central Maine Newspapers, May 16, 2007

"... opportunity to consider the questions of killing-and eating-with open-minded respect...illustrations...lovingly portray...quiet dark of the north woods...drama of its wildlife." -- Bangor Daily News, December 10, 2007

"...first book for elementary school children about deer hunting...about being in the woods, respecting nature, learning how to read deer signs...theme of friendship..." -- Rutland Herald, October 14, 2007

"...this title is one of few quality children's books featuring an evenhanded portrayal of a contemporary young hunter." -- Book Links, March 2008

Product Description
Sam's best friend Eric loves to hunt. His whole family hunts--even his mom and grandma! But Sam's mom is a vegetarian, and his dad prefers to buy his meat at the supermarket. Sam wants to make up his own mind, and with his parent's support he works hard to get his hunting license so he can join Eric and his dad for opening day. Although he feels great to be one of the crowd at the opening-day breakfast, once he sees a deer in the woods, he wonders if he really wants to shoot an animal. And if he decides hunting is not for him, will Eric still be his friend?

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4-8
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Tilbury House Publishers (May 31, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 088448288X
• ISBN-13: 978-0884482888
• Product Dimensions: 10.2 x 9.1 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #734,945 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating perspective, August 19, 2007

By	Bibliomaniac (Vermont) - See all my reviews

I'm a tofu eater, not a hunter, so I was curious about this children's book. What I found was a really marvelous book that clearly presents two different perspectives--those of the hunter and non-hunter--in an unbiased way. Actually what remained with me most was the sense of nature and the animals encountered in the snowy woods.

For a child interested in hunting or in the question of hunting this is an excellent book.

For me though one of the strongest points in OPENING DAY is the concept that people with different views can nevertheless be good friends.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Thanks!, August 18, 2007

By	Jay H. Weber "reading Dad" (Massachusetts, USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

As the father of a 9 year old who insists on being read to, and enjoys illustrated books above others, I liked this book and so did my son, Zach. I also fit into the almost-vegetarian category of the main character Sam's parents, and the truth is, i find hunters and hunting a bit scary, so i was really happy to share a book with Zach that made being in the woods and friendship the focus of a hunting book. Also, it helped me reflect on what my prejudice might be, like thinking there is something wrong about hunting. But in the end , my favorite part was the message that we all make mistakes, like Sam does, and that is ok, we can just keep trying.

I thought the ilustrations were a bit clumsy at first, but now i have read it a couple of times, i am noting how well they work with the text, and i am starting to like them alot.

1.0 out of 5 stars NOT A BOOK FOR EDUCATING YOUNG HUNTERS, March 7, 2009

By	M. Nix (Naples, FL) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Opening Day

I bought this book for my nephew so he could learn what to expect on his first day of hunting next season. That is NOT what this book is about.

This is book about a boy who decides he doesn't want to hunt. I prefer not to hunt, I have no problem with anyone who makes that decision. This is a book about getting along with people who have different beliefs. A kid with vegetarian parents getting along with a kid who has parents that hunt.

The kid with the vegetarian parents notes that he can't bring vension home, teaching kids it's ok to hunt if you don't intend to eat your kill. Taking an animal you don't intend to eat is a big no-no in the hunting community.

The book title is very misleading, as is the exerpt shown on Amazon. If I had sent this book directly to my nephew, instead of reading it first to ensure it included accurate safety information, I would have a very unhappy and confused nephew. Use caution when purchasing this book.