Fishing in the Air

Rating:
Summary: Disappointing
Review: I bought this book for my younger children (ages 4 and 7) and have tried several times to read it to them. Unfortunately, it simply does not hold their attention. I agree with the other reviewer that the illustrations undermine the impact of a nice little story. While I think the illustrations are somewhat interesting, my children cannot see what I am reading in the confusing and disjointed images. They quickly become bored (an unusual reaction for them).

Rating:
Summary: THE JOY OF CHILDHOOD!
Review: Instead of "time outs", spending more time with your children, is the focus of this book. In it, a father and son bond by going fishing together. Out in the peaceful solitude of this natural setting they catch fish, and let their imaginations soar as they cast their lines into shimmering water. Lovely paintings highlight this charming story. Much like "Where Do Balloons Go?", by Jaime Lee Curtis, "Guardian Angels" by Naomi Judd, and "A Boy's Summer:Father and Son Together", by Gerry Spence. All four books are delightful and stir memories of the joy and simplicity of childhood.

Rating:
Summary: Illustrations do not match story
Review: The story is touching and has a nice message. However, the garish, ugly, busy pictures undermine the impact of the story. Imagine what this book would have been like if Wendell Minor had done the illustrations! Instead, the illustrations with their dreadful colors and awful images confuse and alienate children who are the assumed target audience. This will not be a book a child would be naturally drawn to and would stay on most library shelves, which is unfortunate since the story is so delightful.