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How to Catch a Keeper!
Luke and his sister Layla are headed to the Maine Coast for vacation. Their dad tells them about a lobster fishing tour boat, the Lucky Catch. Luke and Layla can’t wait to see what fun this boat ride will be!
32 pages, Hardcover
First published March 19, 2019
4 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
October 12, 2019
I loved that this book is a “typical” children’s book but it has an educational component that sets it apart. Luke and Layla take a trip on a lobster boat in Maine and learn about the things they find in the ocean. There’s a glossary at the end that teaches kids (and adults!) Lobstering Lingo and the illustrations are very pretty. I also love that there are learning activities that can downloaded. Thank you Stephanie for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
September 13, 2022
We rode a lobster boat this summer in Maine and this was very much like what we experienced! And had both my kids’ names in here!
November 18, 2019
I always love to find books that take place in Maine. This is THAT book. It takes place as two children are about to embark on a lobster tour. The book takes the characters through Casco Bay to find the lobsters. Tom is the guide in the story and he narrates (rhyming of course). Students will learn vocabulary that is specific to lobstering as well as lot's of information on lobstering in general. This story lends itself to great conversations with students as well as why females with eggs are put back in the water. At first Luke and Layla are not very impressed by this adventure, but their curiosity is more piqued as the story continues. This story is geared toward Pre-K to 3 children. The illustrations give a close up snapshot of different components that are involved in lobstering. This adds to the message of the story. I would use this story on our "Maine" unit as students explore different Maine occupations.
June 12, 2020
This book is the perfect depiction of the ocean environment and fisherman life in Maine! It is well written and beautifully illustrated! It has a wonderful balance between a fun little story to keep children engaged but also very educational and informative! I love the Lobstering Lingo word bank in the back of the book! It allows children to extend their vocabulary while still making learning fun! This story captures one of the greatest essences of Maine! Not to mention Stephanie Mulligan the Author is such a sweet lady and has a heart of gold <3 I highly recommend this book!
April 19, 2021
My grandson and I have gone on the Lucky Catch and this book perfectly captures our experience. It was fun to be reminded of the adventure and all that we experienced and learned. For those that don't live near coastal Maine, this is a fun insight into the world of lobstering. The glossary at the end was a real bonus. I found my 5 year old grandson flipping through the pages and examining the illustrations on his own after we had read it.
April 26, 2019
This book is amazing! Well written & beautifully illustrated! With a perfectly sweet storyline that keeps kids entertained, while being very informative about lobstering on the Maine coast! Lobstering lingo at the end of the book was so fun to refer back to- we all learned something new! Very well done! A staple for Maine children and those curious about the Maine coast!
September 30, 2019
What a fun book! The writing is lighthearted and whimsical (while also managing to be very informative), and the illustrations are wonderful. This is a well-crafted book about a subject that's obviously dear to the author's heart. It makes me want to go take a ride on the Lucky Catch, or at least go find a nice lobster dinner!
April 24, 2020
This is a fun children's book about lobstering in Maine. The illustrations are wonderful and the author has done a great job making the text, written in verse form, easy to read for elementary school kids. It's also a fun book for adults to read with younger children. There's a glossary of lobster-related terms, and there's also available a separate activity book for coloring and word game fun.
September 27, 2019
Amazing artwork. The pictures are just beautiful and keeps you into the story. The book is a cute rhyming story about the tourist boat in southern maine. Children will really enjoy this book and it deserves to hold a place in your bookshelf.
November 3, 2020
A great merging of artwork and writing. The story really has a place and makes me feel like I'm in coastal Maine. I think children will both enjoy and learn from it!
July 17, 2020
Going out on a lobster boat can be a grand experience no matter how many times you’ve done it before. Author Stephanie Mulligan shows us this in her book based on her own experience of working on a Maine lobster boat for 8 summers. Captain Tom and his ‘The Lucky Catch’ boat are real!
The excitement and anticipation are felt in her rhyming text as she describes fictional Lucy and Luke’s first trip on the boat with their dad. Captain Tom’s dialogue is presented in italics, helping the reader discern his words from the others. The smells, sights and sounds of being out on a lobstering boat are woven into the story and illustrations.
A fine example of ‘write what you know.” This boat and Captain Tom are real and the basis for the story. She obviously respects the Captain and his work.
Maine nature artist Connie Rand did the illustrations, which follow and explain the text. She presents a variety of sizes: small, single images, and full-page spread. Her paintings reflect the experience of being out on the ocean where you can, in good weather, see for miles; yet sometimes your attention is brought up close to details, such as how to band the lobster’s claws. Her illustrations help the reader remember the smells and sounds of the ocean.
This reviewer was given a free copy in exchange for a review. Also included were the “Activity Book” and a little stuffed toy lobster. The activity book is a perfect addition: with terminolgy and fact mini-quizzes, a lobster diagram to label, coloring pages, and a graphic organizer for aspiring writers to try their own hand at composing a story. This book earned Silver in the Moonbeam Childrens’ Book Award.
Next time you’re near Casco Bay, catch a ride with Captain Tom and see what the excitement is all about. If you can’t make it, listen to the author read aloud her book on Facebook. You’ll almost feel like you are there - you can even hear the seagulls crooning in the background.
The excitement and anticipation are felt in her rhyming text as she describes fictional Lucy and Luke’s first trip on the boat with their dad. Captain Tom’s dialogue is presented in italics, helping the reader discern his words from the others. The smells, sights and sounds of being out on a lobstering boat are woven into the story and illustrations.
A fine example of ‘write what you know.” This boat and Captain Tom are real and the basis for the story. She obviously respects the Captain and his work.
Maine nature artist Connie Rand did the illustrations, which follow and explain the text. She presents a variety of sizes: small, single images, and full-page spread. Her paintings reflect the experience of being out on the ocean where you can, in good weather, see for miles; yet sometimes your attention is brought up close to details, such as how to band the lobster’s claws. Her illustrations help the reader remember the smells and sounds of the ocean.
This reviewer was given a free copy in exchange for a review. Also included were the “Activity Book” and a little stuffed toy lobster. The activity book is a perfect addition: with terminolgy and fact mini-quizzes, a lobster diagram to label, coloring pages, and a graphic organizer for aspiring writers to try their own hand at composing a story. This book earned Silver in the Moonbeam Childrens’ Book Award.
Next time you’re near Casco Bay, catch a ride with Captain Tom and see what the excitement is all about. If you can’t make it, listen to the author read aloud her book on Facebook. You’ll almost feel like you are there - you can even hear the seagulls crooning in the background.
October 15, 2019
Educational and Engaging!
Loved reading this story out loud! Stephanie Mulligan engages the reader with her rhyming, and crafts a sweet story about a family learning about lobstering in Maine! Darling illustrations bring the beautiful Maine coast to life.
Loved reading this story out loud! Stephanie Mulligan engages the reader with her rhyming, and crafts a sweet story about a family learning about lobstering in Maine! Darling illustrations bring the beautiful Maine coast to life.
April 25, 2019
Awesome book. Well done - very informative and nice illustrations.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews