Hand Over Hand

PreS-Gr 2--Every day, Nina watches Lolo prepare his banca boat for the day's fishing trip, wishing to join him. But "a boat is not the place for a girl," Lolo says. After Nina promises to bait her own hook and contribute her fish to sell the next day at market, Lolo agrees despite the jeers of other fishermen. While Lolo pulls in fish after fish, Nina's line remains empty. Just when the day is almost over and the little girl has given up hope, she feels a mighty tug on her line. Will the fish prove too big for Nina, or will she overcome low expectations by using the hand-over-hand technique? The gentle text pairs well with the equally gentle watercolor illustrations, bringing to life a quiet Filipino fishing village. This aesthetic works flawlessly with the overall theme of "hand over hand," that patience and persistence will quietly guide readers to achieve their goals. VERDICT Recommended for libraries in need of diverse titles or where patrons seek gentle lapsit reads that teach a lesson.--Brittany Drehobl, Eisenhower Public Library District, IL