Today I'm Going Fishing with My Dad [Hardcover]

N. L. Sharp (Author), Chris Demarest (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 4 and up

Although the young narrator of this story does not particularly enjoy fishing, he loves to be with his dad, and his dad loves fishing--and that makes all the difference.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Resentful "fishing widows" might be the best audience for this diatribe against Dad's self-centered fishing expeditions. In neutral tones a boy begins describing the preparations he and his father make for a fishing trip. Only midway do the boy's true feelings emerge: "I hate going fishing with my dad." He hates the heat, bad lunches, wriggly worms, lack of bathrooms, his dad's insistence on being quiet, etc. To redeem this wretched experience, the book ends, "But I love spending time with my dad, and my dad likes to go fishing, so . . . today I'm going fishing with my dad." Either the reader is left unconvinced that the hero could so loathe an activity most children love or, if convinced, is left to share the hero's misery. Though interesting for their minimalism, Demarest's ( My Little Red Car ) impressionistic watercolors add little joie-de-vivre to this dour book. Ages 5-8.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Kirkus Reviews

The first half of this realistic story is yet another rehearsal of getting out the gear, making an the early start, and starting the companionable drive. But at that point (with a type change), the boy lets readers in on his true feelings: he hates everything about fishing--the mosquitoes, the worms, the need to keep quiet; worst is when he catches a fish and has to eat it for supper. Still, ``I love spending time with my dad, and my dad likes to go fishing, so....'' Not every child is so wise, or so patient. Those who are will find validation in this boy's honesty; others may consider the merits of his loving stoicism. Demarest's watercolors, sketched sparingly across the white spreads, deftly suggest scenes without delineating them in any detail. His touch may not be as wonderfully sure as James Stevenson's, but he has a fine eye; it's a daring use of a difficult technique, particularly effective here where the emphasis is on the emotional content of the events. Low-key, with a nice touch of humor--a good book to start discussion. (Picture book. 5-8) -- Copyright ©1993, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Hardcover: 1 pages
• Publisher: Boyds Mills Press; 1st edition (September 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1563971070
• ISBN-13: 978-1563971075
• Product Dimensions: 10.1 x 8 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,221,815 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Father's Day book!, June 23, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Today I'm Going Fishing with My Dad (Hardcover)

This book was just excellent. It really tells a true account of how a boy feels when he goes fishing with his dad -- the good and the bad. It's a diary and a love story in one! This one is a great gift for any father.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Honesty!! A good book, May 19, 2008

By 

Peter (St. Paul, MN) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Today I'm Going Fishing with My Dad (Paperback)

A very good book. I think it provides a really nice way for kids to think about doing something for someone else (and, in the end, for themself, too).