A Morning to Polish and Keep

E. Jane Philipps is the science librarian in the Biology Library at
Queen’s University.

A Morning to Polish and Keep is a jewel. Set on the West Coast, the book
encapsulates a glowing summer memory that will strike a warm and
resonant chord in everyone who has experienced the beauty and solitude
of a lake, stream, or ocean before dawn. Words and pictures evoke the
delights and regrets that emerge from a summer’s last fishing trip.

Under a starlit sky and feeling like “the only people in the
world,” Amy, her younger brother Michael, and her parents travel to
the Island of Second Chances, where Dad “lost the big one last
week.” Amy hooks a huge salmon. Momentarily distracted by her
brother’s excited cry of “Look! Killer whales,” she loses rod,
reel, and salmon. In the spirit of the true fish tale, the lost magic of
the day is recovered when Michael reels in the same salmon and his
sister’s fishing rod too.

Lawson effectively conveys the time-honored rituals of the fishing
expedition, and presents a realistic portrait of family interaction.
Sheena Lott’s vibrant watercolors complement the narrative, capturing
the luminous and ever-changing qualities of water and sky, and the
emotions, excitement, despair, elation, and pride that make up this
true-to-life family adventure. The story will appeal to children aged 4
and above and to those who cherish personal memories of similar special
expeditions. Highly recommended.