A Net to Catch Time

by Sara Harrell Banks

Cuffy wants to buy a boat someday and become a fisherman like his father. In order to earn money, he'll have to do a good business selling his grandma's deviled crabs. From the Gullah culture of Georgia's beautiful Sea Islands comes A Net to Catch Time, a warm family story that recounts a day in the life of a spirited little boy. Follow Cuffy from FIRST FOWL CROW (5:30 in the morning) when he catches the crabs, to SUN LAY OVER (2:30 in the afternoon) as Cuffy watches his grandmother prepare them, to CANDLE LIGHT TIME (twilight) when the island is quiet and the stars come out. Each dazzling spread shows a new time of day, and each time of day has its own lyrical Gullah name. Scott Cook's pastels create even more warmth and flavor in lively island hues. A glossary of Gullah expressions is included.  

Genres: Picture Books

32 pages, Hardcover

First published December 9, 1996

About the author

Sara Harrell Banks won the 1997 Georgia Author of the Year award for "Under the Shadow of Wings." This novel was also an "American Bookseller" Pick of the Lists and hailed by "School Library Journal" as "Powerful [and] compelling," with a narrator "reminiscent of Harper Lee's Scout in "To Kill a Mockingbird.""
Ms. Banks is also the author of "Remember My Name, The Way Was Through the Woods, " and the picture book "A Net to Catch Time." She lives in Savannah, Georgia.

Reviews

[Kalynda · Rating 4 out of 5]

While the story is compelling, what I found most interesting was the author's note and the noting of time. I didn't know about the Gullah culture or community until this story, however I did know that the marking of time was a cultural act--so that in itself, was intriguing and indicative of a cultural group.

[Marilyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This fictional tale of a young Gullah boy's day from sooner mornin' to hag-hollerin' time is well-written by Sara Harrell Banks and well-illustrated by Scott Cook. It includes a Gullah calendar, a glossary of Gullah terms, and an author's note. This book promotes pride in African American culture.

[Jackie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed the little lesson in Gullah time and some of their words.

[Elisabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this one while browsing my library's shelves and was sucked in by the title and then the illustration on the cover. I loved the illustrations by Scott Cook; I'll have to track down more of his books because this one was gorgeous. The actual story was okay, but was dragged down by too much clunky text and too little direction. It seemed like Banks just tried to do too much in too little space. The Gullah calendar, which was really more of a daily clock, was fascinating, but the addition of the glossary as well seemed like overkill. (I may just be annoyed because they both came at the beginning of the book. Don't glossaries go at the end?) I would've liked better explanations of Gullah culture in the book itself instead of in the author's note at the end. I also would've liked to know more about Cuffy, the main protagonist: Does he not go to school? Where in the world is his mom? Tell me more!!!