Peggy Goes Cod Fishing

Ray Doiron is an assistant professor in the Faculty of Education at the
University of Prince Edward Island.

These true stories about a young girl’s adventures while fishing for
cod and lobster with her father in Bonavista, Newfoundland, detail what
fishers do as they catch their bounty, bring it ashore, and prepare it
for consumers. The author explains the importance of the cod and lobster
fisheries to Newfoundlanders and describes the equipment and materials
used in the harvests. Many of the technical words in the text are
highlighted in green print to indicate that they appear in a glossary at
the back of the book.

Unfortunately, the use of a narrative format to educate young readers
about these Atlantic fisheries does not work; the text is too linear and
lacks evocative appeal. Further, the simple, childlike illustrations add
little to the story. An information book with well-organized facts and
details would have worked better. Not recommended.