Horn Book

When he spies a fisherman napping in a boat, a tourist lectures the drowsy seaman about how hard work can lead to wealth, which would allow the fisherman to "nap in the sunshine"...exactly, the fisherman reminds him, what he's been doing! Adapted from Bvll's 1963 fable, this flawlessly executed book-length joke features modern-day French artist Bravo's cartoons, which call to mind The Adventures of Tintin.

Kirkus Reviews

An adaptation of Böll's fable about not letting work overtake one's life.A visitor to a sleepy harbor town snaps photographs and awakens a fisherman dozing in his boat after landing a small catch earlier that day. The groggy fisherman "in shabby clothes" patiently entertains the tourist's questions, telling him that he has already done his fishing for the day. The tourist can't understand why the fisherman is content, and he embarks on a long list of speculations about the wealth and power the fisherman could attain if, instead of napping, he went back out to sea. The comic-book style, reminiscent of that in Hergé's Tin Tin (which Bravo cites as inspiration in flap copy), uses panels to pace the story and add further humor—the fisherman's repeated shakes of his head are particularly funny. It takes on a frenetic pace as the tourist imagines the fisherman working hard enough to get additional boats, a smokehouse, a factory, his own restaurant, "And then...." After a dramatic pause, everything comes full circle: "And then… / You could come relax here in the harbor, take a nap in the sunshine, or just enjoy the magnificent view." This, of course, is just what the wise fisherman was doing before the tourist awakened him. Both men appear white, the former with light skin and hair, the latter with a ruddy complexion and dark hair and a beard.A lesson about success delivered with humor and graceful irony. (Picture book. 5-10, adult)

Publishers Weekly (Fri Oct 06 00:00:00 CDT 2023)

Dapper, clear line-style artwork by French artist Bravo conjures much of the pleasure of this fable. A fisherman dozing in his dinghy is awoken by a camera-wielding tourist, who snaps photos and then harangues the fisherman about how he might improve his prospects. If he goes out more, he-ll catch more fish, which would allow him to buy -a proper fishing boat,- which would allow him to hire help. He could scout for -all the best shoals of fish- via helicopter and open a restaurant. Bravo imagines it all in successive panels and spreads-larger boats, bigger catches, proud crew in sweaters and caps. -And then what?- says the fisherman. -You could come relax here in the harbor, take a nap in the sunshine...- The fisherman replies, -But that-s exactly what

School Library Journal (Tue May 01 00:00:00 CDT 2018)

K-Gr 2 In this tale adapted from a Böll's short story, a tourist awakens a napping fisherman by snapping pictures and wonders why he isn't going out to sea on such a fine day. The man tells him that he's already been out and caught enough fish to last him several days. Undeterred, the tourist urges him to go out several more times every day, in order to catch enough fish to buy a motorboat or two. These would increase his catches, allowing the fisherman to buy proper fishing boats, a warehouse, a smokehouse, and "even a canning factory." Eventually, the fisherman could even own a helicopter, dine in the finest restaurants, and finally have enough leisure to "take a nap in the sunshine, or just enjoy the magnificent view!" Which is precisely what the fisherman was doing when the tourist arrived. The flat cartoon illustrations appear in panels as well as full spreads, with much of the dialogue in speech bubbles as in graphic novels. This lesson that wealth and material objects aren't necessary for happiness is delivered with lighthearted humor that youngsters are sure to get and enjoy. VERDICT A fun and lively picture book best suited to one-on-one and small group sharing. Marianne Saccardi, Children's Literature Consultant, Cambridge, MA