Fishing for Methuselah

by Roger Roth

Ivan and Olaf are best friends with a single shared ambition to outdo each other. Whether it's chopping firewood, climbing trees, or eating pancakes for breakfast, these two just can't stop competing! And when the annual Moosehead Lake Ice Fishing Contest comes around, you can bet Ivan and Olaf are each determined to catch the biggest fish in the lake. But the biggest fish in Moosehead Lake is also the smartest fish in Moosehead Lake. He's the legendary Methuselah, and he has no intention of being caught by the bickering buddies. Ivan and Olaf may be a well matched pair--but are they a match for Methuselah?

Genres: Picture Books

32 pages, Hardcover

First published October 31, 1998

Reviews

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really complete story! Well told, well developed, fun, and it played with the readers. Good moral told in a non-preachy way. My niece and nephew both really enjoyed this book, and so did I. If you can read this with one of those Minnesota accents like in Fargo, it would be even better. Alas, I can't do this accent, so coming out of my mouth Ivan and Olaf's voices sounded like Scandinavian leprechauns who were born in England but spent the last 20 or 30 years residing in the U.S. Or possibly India. It was a sad, sad attempt at a specific regional dialect. Fortunately, the story was good enough to withstand my slaughter of the English language, so the kids didn't criticize.

[Sarah Limb · Rating 4 out of 5]

Everyone can relate to having feelings of jealousy and competitiveness. Ivan and Olaf struggled with this in their friendship to the point that it could break them. But they learned through a scary experience that arguing, bickering and one-upping wasn’t worth it if it came at the cost of their friendship. ❤️

[Maureen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pictures are great. It's a fish story. Two guys who want to catch a big fish. I really underestimated how much the kids would like it. But they did! had to read it several times over. The theme is friendship--and competition. So good for kids K through 2nd grade, for sure.

[Tiffany Fox · Rating 5 out of 5]

Title: Fishing for Methuselah
Author: Roger Roth
Illustrator: Roger Roth
Publisher/Date: HarperCollins Publishers/ 9/18/1998
Pages/Format: 32/ Hardcover
ISBN: 9780060275921

Ivan and Olaf are best friends with a single shared ambition to outdo each other. Whether it's chopping firewood, climbing trees, or eating pancakes for breakfast, these two just can't stop competing! And when the annual Moosehead Lake Ice Fishing Contest comes around, you can bet Ivan and Olaf are each determined to catch the biggest fish in the lake. But the biggest fish in Moosehead Lake is also the smartest fish in Moosehead Lake. He's the legendary Methuselah, and he has no intention of being caught by the bickering buddies. Ivan and Olaf may be a well matched pair -- but are they a match for Methuselah?

Roger Roth has done an excellent job of capturing the true fisherman tale of competition. In the spirit of showmen ship, Ivan and Olaf go head to head in this tale of Fishing for Methuselah.

Moosehead Lake is the site for the yearly ice fishing contest and every time Ivan and Olaf come together to try and catch the largest fish in the lake known as Methuselah. Methuselah isn't your average fish, he is super smart and eludes most simply traps placed by the fisherman of the lake. He also hates arguing! Since Ivan and Olaf tend to do this all the time, Methuselah sets a plan in motion. Releasing the minnows from their hooks, Methuselah ties together the fishing lines and let Ivan and Olaf fight for control. In doing so they now have to help each other, since they have broken free from the ice lake and are floating slowly away. Realizing the two men, although working together, would not make the shore, Methuselah whisks them towards the shore and throws them onto it. With a brief glimpse as he dives back into the safety of water, Ivan and Olaf compose themselves and make their way home. The next time the pair go to compete in the contests, they enter together and make a wonderful ice sculpture of Methuselah, which is the closest they will ever come to him again.

The artwork is amazing on this title, from the details to the subtle, muted coloring, Fishing for Methuselah conveys the cold scene of an ice fishing contest and the extremes these two "friends" will go, to be the better man.

I recommend this title for anyone who enjoys fishing, ice fishing, tall tales, fishing tales, the north country, competing friends, and lengthy storybooks. Fishing for Methuselah is a bit more lengthy than most picture books for young adults. If your child is just beginning to read, or losses focus on long stories, you may need to read this one to your child.

originally posted: http://tiffanyfoxbooks.blogspot.com/2...

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Two local rivals compete and squabble about most everything. Then, during a fishing contest where each is determined to catch Methuselah, the biggest fish in the lake, their rivalry gets them into trouble. To save themselves they must cooperate with each other.
The art work in this nice sized picture book is very detailed and lovely. The author delivers a humorous story about friendship and cooperation.

[Samantha · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rivals Ivan and Olaf go head-to-head an the ice-fishing competition in hopes of catching the biggest fish in Moosehead Lake, Methuselah. The two bickering friends are about to be taught a lesson, though, by the biggest and smartest fish in town!

A humorous story for grades 3-5.

[Sam · Rating 3 out of 5]

My young boys enjoyed the perilous adventure element. I'm never a huge fan of bickering banter in books; however it is central to the plot.