cover image A GOOD DAY'S FISHING

A GOOD DAY'S FISHING

James Prosek, . . S&S, $15.95 (40pp) ISBN 978-0-689-85327-2

Prosek, whose earlier books (Trout ; Fly-Fishing the 41st ) have made quite a splash with adult anglers, will hook youngsters who have experienced—or long to experience—the lure of this pastime. "This is my tackle box. What I need for a good day's fishing is in here somewhere!" exudes the young narrator, whom readers spy only on the half- title page and two concluding illustrations. On the pages in between, Prosek's spare, realistic watercolors focus closely on the contents of the boy's tackle box and the type of fish that each item helps him catch. The artist's painstakingly detailed style incorporates the subtle as well as striking hues of the species against generous white space. Other fishing tales inspire full-bleed spreads of the species' habitat ("I hooked a crappie, too,/ but it got away!"), and some humor surfaces when the boy's search turns up some unexpected articles—an old sandwich and an eel ("How'd he get in here?"). Eventually, readers learn which is the crucial, missing accoutrement: his fishing hat. In the annotated, illustrated lure and fly glossary that follows the breezy tour of the tackle box, the author explains how and when each is used, shares tidbits from his personal experience and imparts some folksy advice ("Spending time on the water is the only way to become an effective fisherman or fisherwoman [unless you were born lucky]"). This cheerful handbook may well entice kids to seek out their own good day's fishing. Ages 5-10. (Mar.)