Granddad's Fishing Buddy

by Mary Quigley, Stéphane Jorisch (Illustrator)

It is summer on the lake, and Sara wants to fish with her granddad and his special fishing buddy. She promises that she will keep real quiet so she won’t scare the fish, that she can row a boat without making it turn in circles, and that she can bait a hook . . . maybe. Granddad is convinced and they take a boat out on the water together. There, Sara meets the best fisherman on the lake, learns all of her granddad’s fishing secrets, and creates some of her very own. Lyrical with touches of spot-on humor, this story captures the fun and loving relationship between a granddaughter and her grandfather, and their interaction with the natural world. Glowingly radiant artwork brings their relationship to life as Sara learns that sometimes the best fishing buddy is not always who you expect!

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Family

32 pages, Hardcover

First published April 5, 2007

Reviews

[Abbie McKinley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Grandad’s Fishing Buddy is a fun and comforting story about a little girl staying with her grandparents at their cottage on the lake. She goes out fishing with Grandad early in the morning to meet his finding buddy. She catches her own fish with the help of a heron in the lake. With the help of the heron (who she realizes is the fishing buddy grandad was talking about) her and grandad catch a ton of fish. At the end of the day, grandad tells Sara she is his new fishing buddy.
This books tells a sweet story about a young girl’s adventure with her grandad. I wouldn’t mind having this book in my classroom library for students to read by themselves. I think it might be a good choice for students to read who are interested in fishing.

[Viviane Elbee · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book shows such a sweet grandfather & granddaughter relationship. I loved the watercolor art and the ending, when the girl finally realizes who the best fishing buddy is.

Kids who like fishing, herons or stories about family relationships will probably enjoy it.

It is a bit on the longer side, text wise, so it's better for older children who can sit through a longer story.

Kids enjoyed it.

[Rachael Fricke · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a wonderful story! The illustrations are done in watercolor paints and the author did such a beautiful job portraying a cute story about a girl and her Grandpa. I think many little girls could relate to this story! I know this simple little story brought back all kinds of memories of my Paw-Paw and me. Such a good example of quality time with a grandparent and just how important those role models are to children.

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully illustrated with a nice story. My 4yo loves this book.

[Cassandra Gelvin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Will the real fishing buddy please stand up?

It's kind of cute. Basically, a girl is staying over at her granddad and grandmama's house, and she stays up late overnight to try to make sure she hears her granddad get up in the morning, and he gets up really early in the morning. She goes out and sees him. He's going to go fishing. She wants to go, too, and he considers it for a moment and then says, "Okay." So they go out. He says he's going to meet his "fishing buddy." She says, "You left without him!" But he says, "He'll meet us out there." They see other people in boats on the lake, but none of them is the fishing buddy. She's not sure if she can put a worm onto a hook, because it's kinda gross, but she happens to have some licorice in her pocket, so she baits her hooks with licorice. Then a heron shows up, and they follow the heron because he knows where the fish is. They row around and catch fish, and then go back home, and that's pretty much it.

The granddad is a man of few words. They have a really nice time out on the lake together. It's just about a girl spending time with her granddad. It's kind of cool how it's a girl going fishing, where stereotypically it would be a boy. Maybe younger boys would also be grossed out by putting a worm on a hook. But she's inventive about it, and has a great time with her granddad.

Message: It's fun to spend time with your granddad.

For more children's book reviews, see my website at http://www.drttmk.com.

[Kacie Kirk · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked this book for the fact that the little girl did not realize that she was actually her Grandad's favorite fishing buddy and he was waiting for her to go with him. This was a heartwarming book of a girl and her grandfather and the different memories that can be made. I also liked that she wanted to do something that he wanted to do, and did not want to make him do something that she wanted to do. Grandparents will not be around forever and so taking this time to do his favorite activity and learn from his friends is something that is very special.

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have to give this book 5 stars because it invoked so many memories for me. My grandpa took me fishing in the very early morning hours when I was about 8 years old (and my great uncle was along too). We spent hours out on the lake fishing just as the characters in the book do. I loved being granddad's fishing buddy in my youth and I think most children will long for that when they read this story.

[Anthony · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a wonderful book to share with your grandchildren. I enjoy seeing books that show there is more to life than television and video games, like “listening to owls, counting stars, playing shadow games,” and well… fishing while spending time with someone you love.

[Liz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfect for granparents to read to their grandchildren. The illustrations are so lovely.

[Beth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sara learns about fishing and the rules with her grandad.

[The Reading Countess · Rating 4 out of 5]

Both Youngest and I loved this one. He was captivated by the fishing and boating element, I was enjoying the stroll down memory lane with my own grandfather.

[Teri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great story for my little fishermen!

[Tony Petry · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great children's book

[Julie]

My Grandaddy has a mustache, glasses, a tilly, and a red plaid shirt like this. Maybe one day we will go fishing together! He began reading this story to me!

[Jill · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute book. I am not a grandpa nor do I fish, but I enjoyed the book. :)

[Claire Davis]

This story was my favorite in the set it was a cute story about a grandpa and his granddaughter going fishing. She sees a pattern in the way her grandpa fishes with the heron and becomes intrigued by fishing and catches quite a few. In the end we discover that the granddaughter is his fishing buddy and it is quite heartwarming.