Here’s a fun summer read: Gone Fishing: A Novel in Verse by Tamera Will Wissinger. It is a cute story, told in three voices, of a family fishing trip that doesn’t quite go as planned, but ends well. What I like about it is the variety of poetic forms and “The Poet’s Tackle Box” in the back. It explains about rhythm and rhyme, has a glossary of poetic techniques and forms (each poem states the poetic form used). This is an excellent resource for teaching kids about poetry.And, after all, a family fishing trip is a great way to spend a summer day.
We were not really summer fishing people. Growing up just south of James Bay in Canada, we were ice fisherfolk. My dad would attach the caboose to the skidoo so my sister & I could ride in style. He’d drive us through the woods out to a lake where we’d drill some holes and wait patiently.
That’s my twin sister posing for the camera. I’m in my own world, scooping slush into a castle or singing a slush scooping song. There was probably a lot of waiting, but I don’t remember being bored. What I do remember is Dad making hot chocolate with snow, in a nearby cabin. It had pine needles floating in it, giving it extra flavor. I’m pretty sure we must have brought fish home, but I don’t really remember any.
The one summer fishing experience I remember was the year Aunt Dorothy & Uncle Jim came up for a visit. Dad took Uncle Jim, my cousin Edward, my sister & I out fishing. My sister & I caught more fish than the boys and we were proud as Lucy is in Gone Fishing.
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