There’s a lovely sense of the natural world in this quiet intergenerational story about a little boy who goes fly fishing on an autumn day with his grandpa and his mom. While they fish, the boy just learning—and struggling—and Grandpa offering guidance, Grandpa and Mom reminisce about past fishing trips when she was a girl. Both story and illustrations reveal that it’s Mom who is the expert fly-fisher now, and, refreshingly, her skill is simply a matter of fact. At story’s end, the little boy has become the grandpa, passing down the traditions to his granddaughter. Both the family fishing and the natural setting will resonate with many Wisconsin families. The endnotes include basic information about fly fishing, catch-and-release, equipment, and clothing, while the endpages show detailed realistic illustrations of 80 different flies. (Ages 4–8)

Author Andrew Weiner and artist April Chu’s picture book Down by the River: A Family Fly Fishing Story is “an authentic, heartwarming story with a focus on family and togetherness” (Kirkus Reviews, Starred Review).

One beautiful autumn day, Art sets out with his mother and grandfather for a fishing trip. Fishing days are Art’s favorite. He loves learning the ropes from Grandpa—the different kinds of flies and tackle and the trout that frequent their favorite river. Art especially appreciates Grandpa’s stories. But, this time, hearing the story about Mom’s big catch on her first cast ever makes Art feel insecure about his own fishing skills.

Then, as Art hooks a beautiful brown trout, he finds reassurance in Grandpa’s stories and marvels in the sport and a day spent with family, promising to continue the tradition with his own grandkids generations later.

Illustrated with lush imagery, Down by the River celebrates fishing, family, and fun.