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Fishing in the Air
In wonderful storytelling fashion, Newbery Medal-winning author Sharon Creech presents a simple tale about a little boy and his dad who go on a fishing trip with a can of worms and a sack of sandwiches. But the poetry of her words combines with Caldecott Honor artist Chris Raschka's gorgeous illustrations to evoke an experience much more imaginative and powerful.
Paperback with Audio Cassette
First published September 30, 2000
About the author
Sharon Creech
76 books3,344 followersI was born in South Euclid, Ohio, a suburb of Cleveland, and grew up there with my noisy and rowdy family: my parents (Ann and Arvel), my sister (Sandy), and my three brothers (Dennis, Doug and Tom).
For a fictional view of what it was like growing up in my family, see Absolutely Normal Chaos. (In that book, the brothers even have the same names as my own brothers.) Our house was not only full of us Creeches, but also full of friends and visiting relatives.
In the summer, we usually took a trip, all of us piled in a car and heading out to Wisconsin or Michigan or, once, to Idaho. We must have been a very noisy bunch, and I'm not sure how our parents put up with being cooped up with us in the car for those trips. The five-day trip out to Idaho when I was twelve had a powerful effect on me: what a huge and amazing country! I had no idea then that thirty-some years later, I would recreate that trip in a book called Walk Two Moons.
One other place we often visited was Quincy, Kentucky, where my cousins lived (and still live) on a beautiful farm, with hills and trees and swimming hole and barn and hayloft. We were outside running in those hills all day long, and at night we'd gather on the porch where more stories would be told. I loved Quincy so much that it has found its way into many of my books—transformed into Bybanks, Kentucky. Bybanks appears in Walk Two Moons, Chasing Redbird, and Bloomability. Bybanks also makes a brief appearance (by reference, but not by name) in The Wanderer.
When I was young, I wanted to be many things when I grew up: a painter, an ice skater, a singer, a teacher, and a reporter. It soon became apparent that I had little drawing talent, very limited tolerance for falling on ice, and absolutely no ability to stay on key while singing. I also soon learned that I would make a terrible reporter because when I didn't like the facts, I changed them. It was in college, when I took literature and writing courses, that I became intrigued by story-telling. Later, I was a teacher (high school English and writing) in England and in Switzerland. While teaching great literature, I learned so much about writing: about what makes a story interesting and about techniques of plot and characterization and point of view. I started out writing novels for adults (published as Sharon Rigg): The Recital and Nickel Malley were both written and published while I was living in England (these books were published in England only and are now out of print.) But the next book was Absolutely Normal Chaos, and ever since that book I have written mainly about young people. Walk Two Moons was the first of my books to be published in America. When it received the Newbery Medal, no one was more surprised than I was. I'm still a little bit in shock.
After Walk Two Moons came Chasing Redbird, Pleasing the Ghost, Bloomability, The Wanderer, and Fishing in the Air. I hope to be writing stories for a long, long time.
I am married to Lyle Rigg, who is the headmaster of The Pennington School in Pennington, New Jersey, and have two grown children, Rob and Karin. Being with my family is what I enjoy most. The next-best thing is writing stories.
© Sharon Creech
For a fictional view of what it was like growing up in my family, see Absolutely Normal Chaos. (In that book, the brothers even have the same names as my own brothers.) Our house was not only full of us Creeches, but also full of friends and visiting relatives.
In the summer, we usually took a trip, all of us piled in a car and heading out to Wisconsin or Michigan or, once, to Idaho. We must have been a very noisy bunch, and I'm not sure how our parents put up with being cooped up with us in the car for those trips. The five-day trip out to Idaho when I was twelve had a powerful effect on me: what a huge and amazing country! I had no idea then that thirty-some years later, I would recreate that trip in a book called Walk Two Moons.
One other place we often visited was Quincy, Kentucky, where my cousins lived (and still live) on a beautiful farm, with hills and trees and swimming hole and barn and hayloft. We were outside running in those hills all day long, and at night we'd gather on the porch where more stories would be told. I loved Quincy so much that it has found its way into many of my books—transformed into Bybanks, Kentucky. Bybanks appears in Walk Two Moons, Chasing Redbird, and Bloomability. Bybanks also makes a brief appearance (by reference, but not by name) in The Wanderer.
When I was young, I wanted to be many things when I grew up: a painter, an ice skater, a singer, a teacher, and a reporter. It soon became apparent that I had little drawing talent, very limited tolerance for falling on ice, and absolutely no ability to stay on key while singing. I also soon learned that I would make a terrible reporter because when I didn't like the facts, I changed them. It was in college, when I took literature and writing courses, that I became intrigued by story-telling. Later, I was a teacher (high school English and writing) in England and in Switzerland. While teaching great literature, I learned so much about writing: about what makes a story interesting and about techniques of plot and characterization and point of view. I started out writing novels for adults (published as Sharon Rigg): The Recital and Nickel Malley were both written and published while I was living in England (these books were published in England only and are now out of print.) But the next book was Absolutely Normal Chaos, and ever since that book I have written mainly about young people. Walk Two Moons was the first of my books to be published in America. When it received the Newbery Medal, no one was more surprised than I was. I'm still a little bit in shock.
After Walk Two Moons came Chasing Redbird, Pleasing the Ghost, Bloomability, The Wanderer, and Fishing in the Air. I hope to be writing stories for a long, long time.
I am married to Lyle Rigg, who is the headmaster of The Pennington School in Pennington, New Jersey, and have two grown children, Rob and Karin. Being with my family is what I enjoy most. The next-best thing is writing stories.
© Sharon Creech
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews
December 29, 2019
I’ve never seen artwork like this before. It’s so unique and different. I would have given this a Caldecott. I’ve seen a lot of artwork in picture books, by no means all of it, but this is different from everything else I’ve come across.
A father and son go fishing and make memories together and realize they are in a circle of life. It’s a simple story and it works well.
I like Sharon Creech’s middle grade books and saw her name and wanted to read this. Chris Raschka blew me away with the artwork. It really is different, just look at the cover. You can feel the air and the breeze with the pictures. It’s amazing.
The nephew thought it a slow and weird book. He hasn’t really been fishing, I don’t think. He can’t sit still long enough to do so. He didn’t feel like anything happened, and not much outwardly did. This is about a relationship. He was bored. He gave this 2 stars.
A father and son go fishing and make memories together and realize they are in a circle of life. It’s a simple story and it works well.
I like Sharon Creech’s middle grade books and saw her name and wanted to read this. Chris Raschka blew me away with the artwork. It really is different, just look at the cover. You can feel the air and the breeze with the pictures. It’s amazing.
The nephew thought it a slow and weird book. He hasn’t really been fishing, I don’t think. He can’t sit still long enough to do so. He didn’t feel like anything happened, and not much outwardly did. This is about a relationship. He was bored. He gave this 2 stars.
April 5, 2023
This is a sweet children's book about a father (and his father) and his son and learning to fish. It's about making and sharing and remembering memories together and the pattern of family and learning and enjoying time together.
"When I was a boy... I caught the air, I caught the breeze, and I took them home with me... My father taught me how to fish in the clear, cool river... We caught a father, and we caught a boy, who learned to fish."
"When I was a boy... I caught the air, I caught the breeze, and I took them home with me... My father taught me how to fish in the clear, cool river... We caught a father, and we caught a boy, who learned to fish."
September 12, 2012
This story touched my heart. I loved the relationship between the boy and his father and how his father told the story of his first time fishing. This story will relate to many many students I believe.
January 15, 2018
This review was originally written for The Baby Bookworm. Visit us for new picture books reviews daily!
Hello, everyone! Our book today is Fishing In The Air, written by Sharon Creech and illustrated by Chris Raschka, a colorful and imaginative tale about the special bond between fathers and sons.
A little boy and his father leave early one morning, to go on an adventure to a secret place. As they travel and prepare, they talk and use their imaginations, and the world around them comes alive with colors. When they begin to fish, the father tells the boy about where he grew up, and how his own father taught him to fish. “Where are that father and son now?” the man asks. “They’re here,” the boy replies.
This was a really interesting book, sort of existential, told in the voice of a curious, imaginative child. The art is gorgeously colorful and vibrant, tying in with the dreamlike quality of the narrative. It’s definitely a sweet book about fathers and sons, and while it was a bit long for some baby bookworms, JJ seemed to enjoy it. Baby Bookworm approved!
Be sure to check out The Baby Bookworm for more reviews!
April 13, 2012
While I absolutely adore the text of this picture book, which is full of wonder, and lyricism, I struggle with the illustrations that seem over-the-edge and often difficult to decipher. They have a very strong Italian pottery look, with rounded everything, and color everywhere. I find it's very difficult for your eye to find a landing place. When you look at the page your eye zooms round and round aimlessly, which obviously fits the title, but in the end doesn't enhance the finer points of this lovely story. I like the idea of the round and airyness, but just wish it was toned down about three tads.
Listen to this:
I caught a bubble of breeze
and a sliver of sky and a slice of
yellow sun and a small gray house
with a crooked porch and tiny windows
and a red roof...
Beautiful
On the other hand, I don't really like the other picture book that Sharon Creech wrote, the one about the principal at the school. Can't remember the title now (A Fine, Fine School?). But have you ever read her middle grade, Heartbeat? Wow, that's a superb work...
Listen to this:
I caught a bubble of breeze
and a sliver of sky and a slice of
yellow sun and a small gray house
with a crooked porch and tiny windows
and a red roof...
Beautiful
On the other hand, I don't really like the other picture book that Sharon Creech wrote, the one about the principal at the school. Can't remember the title now (A Fine, Fine School?). But have you ever read her middle grade, Heartbeat? Wow, that's a superb work...
July 7, 2011
With beautiful watercolor illustrations that channel the likeness of Impressionist painters Van Gogh and Monet, Sharon Creech's "Fishing In the Air" tells a story of a boy and his father on his first fishing trip. The story is told through the eyes of the boy, his enthusiasm and the magic of the day told in detail with the gorgeous illustrations twirling and looping around the text.
Sharon Creech's descriptive text takes a hold of the reader and pulls them right into the magic of the moment with equal parts originality and imagination. Wonderful for ages 5+, to be integrated into a library story time or poetry curriculum in school.
Themes: Fishing, Imagination, Family Bonding, Descriptive Language, Watercolor.
Sharon Creech's descriptive text takes a hold of the reader and pulls them right into the magic of the moment with equal parts originality and imagination. Wonderful for ages 5+, to be integrated into a library story time or poetry curriculum in school.
Themes: Fishing, Imagination, Family Bonding, Descriptive Language, Watercolor.
June 21, 2017
We entertain a lot of guests in Colorado - over 30 in 2014. Some of them are quite small. Unfortunately, with no kids of our own, our place can be rather dry for our littlest guests. We have every toy older visitors could want but the youngest are left making do with a few well-meaning but ineffectual attempts at entertainment. Fortunately the Salida Public Library is a treasure. So I take my little friends on a field trip. It is always a hit. There are games to play and puzzles to solve. And each gets to check out a book (or three) to take back for bedtime reading. Which is how I discovered this charming picture book. The illustrations are colorful and alive. The story is sweet with a tinge of melancholy for the adult reading it aloud.
November 27, 2012
A boy and his father go on a fishing trip, with only a can of worms and a sack of sandwiches. It is about imagination, the boy figuring out who he is through his father and who his father is, and not about literally catching fish. A great creative thinking piece that can show how something isn't always what you may think it is.
November 28, 2012
This is a beautifully illustrated story that tells about a boy and his father's first fishing trip together. Though the pictures are bright and vibrant, the wording could be tricky for many elementary aged students, I would recommend using this as a read aloud for older students (upper elementary and middle school).
December 3, 2012
A boy and his father go on a fishing trip, with only a can of worms and a sack of sandwiches. This book is about imagination, the boy figuring out who he is through his father and who his father is, and not only about literally catching fish. Overall, this book is great for lower level readers and could be integrated into circle time or used for a poetry curriculum around father's day.
April 15, 2013
This story of a father-son fishing trip is probably the richest piece of writing from Sharon Creech that I've ever read. I'd love to use this book to share some great examples of figurative language. Chris Raschka did a great job illustrating this text, and this is coming from someone who doesn't love Raschka illustrations. Phenominal book. I highly recommend it.
Read
February 16, 2016This book was a great book. I found myself visualizing without thinking when reading the words. The illustrations would bring the book to life and help me visualize the scene being described even more. The illustrations were amazing. I would recommend this picture book in classrooms everywhere. It is relatable and the students will put themselves within the book which is great.
February 6, 2018
This book has beautiful illustrations about a boy and his father and their "fishing" trip. It was fun to see the father's story turning into the son's, as he fished in the air (by hearing and capturing the story). However, the illustrations were kind of busy and I am not sure they worked very well with the text.
Category: Picture book
Category: Picture book
December 29, 2019
I would give this story one and a half stars, I think.
The illustrations of two-time Caldecott Medalist Chris Raschka are swirly and visceral, lending an interesting atmosphere to this story of a father-and-son fishing excursion. Many readers will enjoy this book.
The illustrations of two-time Caldecott Medalist Chris Raschka are swirly and visceral, lending an interesting atmosphere to this story of a father-and-son fishing excursion. Many readers will enjoy this book.
January 24, 2012
I really enjoyed this book. It is about a boy that is going on a journey with his father. It is about imagination, the boy figuring out who he is through his father, and who is father is. This book would be great for the lower levels. It has wonderful flowing pictures with vibrant colors.
July 14, 2014
The one thing I liked about this book was how the illustrations and words matched perfectly. Not sure if I would use as a read-aloud for students in K-2, probably students in 3 and up. The message and vocabulary in my opinion a little trickier.
August 13, 2018
Some of the illustrated pages were so busy and overwhelming to me, but others were simpler and more stunning, pulling me into the story. I liked the dialog and sharing between father and son. Would be nice to have a book like his for daughters too.
December 13, 2013
Interesting book for kids but it was good.
November 20, 2014
I love memories- and a response to this book could be about catching memories and holding onto them, giving students time to remember the good times.
August 18, 2015
Beautiful book with Raschka's lovely illustrations. This book would be perfect to support a lesson on creative writing,descriptions or memories.
February 19, 2017
Special place, by the river, special day for father and son. Creating memories. Beautiful writing.
November 14, 2017
Christmas gifts for a nephew. Fun read. Our boy loves to fish with dad.
August 9, 2019
Story is fine. Artwork is great.
December 18, 2022
An abstract yet poetic look at a father and son spending the day together, sharing memories and fishing.
Sweet!
Ages: 4 - 10
Cleanliness: nothing to note.
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Sweet!
Ages: 4 - 10
Cleanliness: nothing to note.
**Like my reviews? Then you should follow me! Because I have hundreds more just like this one. With each review, I provide a Cleanliness Report, mentioning any objectionable content I come across so that parents and/or conscientious readers (like me) can determine beforehand whether they want to read a book or not. Content surprises are super annoying, especially when you’re 100+ pages in, so here’s my attempt to help you avoid that!
So Follow or Friend me here on GoodReads! And be sure to check out my bio page to learn a little about me and the Picture Book/Chapter Book Calendars I sell on Etsy!
January 12, 2020
I can't remember the last time I've lost myself so well inside a book written for children. (Ah! But maybe it is really not.) And I don't think I've ever seen an adult character get lost so convincingly, as the father does here. (And his rescue is not too sweet, but perfectly simple.) Chris Raschka's loose and wild art lets you float in and float through.
February 28, 2025
I never really felt the phrase ‘my eyes drank it all in’ until I just read this book. The illustrations literally made my heart skip a beat. So beautiful! The writing may go over a lot of kiddos head. Would need a bit of discussion around figurative language. Lovely story about a father and son going fishing.
July 1, 2023
A father and son going on a fishing trip in which they end up catching dreams, memories and impressions far more than fish. I respect what this book was trying to do, but it just didn't quite work as well as I believe the author intended.
August 3, 2023
I loved the poetic text, but I didn't think the illustrations matched well. Raschka is just not my type, and I don't think his style pairs well with lyrical imagery. I wanted to see all the beautiful scenery of the words.
January 2, 2018
Loved it. Nice memory piece.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews