Happy Perfect Picture Book Friday, dear friends! I\u2019m so glad you are here because I\u2019m featuring a VERY SPECIAL BOOK written by a VERY SPECIAL AUTHOR\u2026my dear friend, NCTE panel-mate Pamela Courtney! I remember seeing many of Pam\u2019s early manuscripts\u2026and I loved ALL of them. And so I am especially thrilled to welcome her debut book which launches in only a few days on May 20th and is brilliantly illustrated by Toni D. Chambers. And please stick around through the entire blog post because author Pam is giving away a SIGNED copy of this beautiful new book to One Lucky Winner who leaves a comment and SHARES this post on social media!<\/p>\n A SEASON FOR FISHIN\u2019 \u2013 A FISH FRY TRADITION<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Written by Pamela Courtney<\/strong><\/p>\n Illustrated by Toni D. Chambers<\/strong><\/p>\n Published by Farrar, Straus, and Giroux (May 20, 2025<\/strong>)<\/p>\n Ages: 3-6<\/strong><\/p>\n Themes: <\/strong>Louisiana culture, family, self-esteem<\/p>\n Synopsis: From Amazon:<\/strong> There\u2019s a rush in the water.<\/em> On the first Fish Fry Friday of the year, Cher wakes before sunrise. It\u2019s the start of the fishing season, and her wish is coming true: She\u2019s finally big enough to join her papere on Ol\u2019 Cane River! She can\u2019t wait to catch a mess of bream for Mamere to fry up for the evening feast.<\/p>\n Fishing pole in hand, Cher races to the prized spot down on Ol\u2019 Cane River. Wrigglers wiggle on the line. Cousins giggle as a sign of approval as Cher reels in batch after batch of bream. But when things don\u2019t go as planned, Cher learns the true importance of Fish Fry Friday, and it\u2019s not the big catch . . .<\/p>\n Plates clatter.<\/em> Why I Love This Book:<\/strong> And now, because we are so lucky\u2026and author Pam is so generous with her time, we have a little \u2018interview\u2019 as Pam relays the story behind the story\u2026and more!<\/p>\n Pam\u2019s Louisiana upbringing inspired her 2025 spring publication, A Season of Fishin\u2019\u2014A Fish Fry Tradition, Macmillan (FSG) and nurtured her life\u2019s passion of writing, teaching, and enjoying culturally diverse music. Combining these loves Pam created MyLMNOP, Pam hooked me up with two cool catches. Small anecdotes, but we\u2019re not throwing them back. This fist catch we\u2019re reeling in in called, I Betcha Didn\u2019t Know. \u201cI betcha didn\u2019t know that some people use sugar cane stalks for fishing rods,\u201d says Pam. \u201cYep, growing up, I remember one particular neighbor who would dry out her stalks of sugar cane to make her fishing pole. Mrs. S.P (to this day, I have no idea what those letters stood for) said that \u201cSugar cane poles was \u00a0best for goin\u2019 still water fishin\u2019.\u201d She only used sugar cane poles for her stillwater sport. No reel. Unfortunately, sometimes Mrs. S.P. wouldn\u2019t always have sturdy poles. Why? Because my friends and I would eat a foot or more of\u00a0 her sugar cane stalks before they could dry out for her ultimate Friday morning fishing sport. Can\u2019t believe we never got caught. Though I think all the neighbors knew who the culprits were.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n Next we\u2019re reeling in with tight lines. Pam reeled in her agent with a submission that is due to be released in Fall 2026. The story was a hard sale, but James McGowan of Bookends Literary fiercely championed this story and kept sending it out. Then Pam thought she\u2019d send James a poem turned children\u2019s story, originally called Fish Fry Friday, A Cane River And, because I know you will want to be following Pam if you don\u2019t already, here is her social media and website info, as well as some info about the fabulous illustrator. Toni D. Chambers<\/strong> (she\/her)is an electric lady born and raised in Southern New Haven, Connecticut. She earned her BFA in illustration at the University of Massachusetts. Currently, she is living her best life as an illustrator in Landover, Maryland. Born to Jamaican immigrant parents, Toni has always considered family, culture, and the arts prominent, inspiring forces in her life. She\u2019s always wanted to be an artist, whether as a dancer, actress, or singer. Her passion for reading and storytelling led her to a career as an illustrator.<\/p>\n And now, because Perfect Picture Book Friday posts are supposed to have activities as well as a book review\u2026and because this IS a book about using fish for food\u2026and because Pam is as generous with her recipes as she is with her love and caring for others\u2026here she is again with a couple of her favorites. I can\u2019t wait to try them!<\/strong><\/p>\n Michoux<\/strong>: (mock shoo) Ohh, talk about your sweet sign of summer. The crisp bite of summer corn and the savory lusciousness of bacon and cream make the kinfolk holler \u201cLaissez le bon temps rouler\u201d when this side dish is served.<\/p>\n This wouldn\u2019t be a proper ending if I didn\u2019t leave you with a favorite fish recipe now would it? How would y\u2019all like one of my favorites to set on the table for Fish Fry Friday, cher?\u00a0<\/p>\n Vivian, these are the dishes I know my homeschooling kinfolk love and love making. I chose the side dishes for that reason. But what is a fish story w\/o fish recipes. So, I thought you could choose the one you prefer, I think kids would have fun preparing a po\u2019 boy sandwich. However growing up, salmon patties were my siblings fav, not so much for me, but then again, I don\u2019t eat gumbo. So I am not sure I get a say. LOL<\/strong><\/em>ME<\/p>\n ME: CHOOSE ONE? I DON\u2019T THINK SO! I CHOOSE ALL OF THEM!!! LOL!<\/strong> TAKE IT AWAY, DEAR PAM!<\/p>\n Catfish Po\u2019 Boys is an \u201cI can do it myself\u201d dish. Children will delight in preparing their own po\u2019boy sandwich with ALL THE FIXIN\u2019S. In Louisiana, we say, \u201cfully dressed.\u201d<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 For a \u201cfully dressed\u201d Po\u2019 Boy, you\u2019ll need:<\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 A platter of fried fish. Fillets or nuggets. No matter. As long as they\u2019re properly \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 seasoned. Makin\u2019 Mamere proud.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Italian rolls split open.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Remoulade (kid friendly recipe below) for kids to slather the inside of their Italian roll. With ingredients measured and lined up, just pour out in a bowl and stir all together. Refrigerate 1-hour.<\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Pile the nuggets or fillets high (proper measurement\u2026 child\u2019s handful) in center of roll.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Add: Shredded lettuce, tomato slices, pickles, and last 3 shakes of Louisiana Red \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Hot Sauce<\/p>\n Salmon Croquette Patties is a favorite in our family. They\u2019re eaten for breakfast, brunch, and dinner. They\u2019re especially nice for that special potluck platter. Kiddos will have a ball getting their hands covered in salmon fixin\u2019s. When I cook with kiddos, we use scissors (kids scissors washed and dried for kitchen duty) to cut strips of vegetables and season our pots.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n ***Parents peel onions under tap water as you cut onion in half and pull layers apart. This will dilute compounds that causes burning eyes. Children can use their scissors to cut onion in strips, then into diced pieces.<\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0***Parents, cut peppers in half, children can then use scissors to cut in strips, then into diced pieces.<\/strong><\/p>\n Children mix all ingredients together. Once mixed, measure out 1\/3 cup of salmon mixture. Place on greased cookie sheet. Bake at 350\u25e6 until golden brown. Or pan fry with vegetable oil about 3-minutes per side.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n Mmmm good eating with tartar sauce. YES, ketchup too!<\/p>\n Blackened Fish is a dish that children can indeed help prepare. We use our cast iron skillet for this tasty delight. Children wash and pat dry fish fillets (use your favorite fish\u2026 we use catfish, trout, perch, you decide). Then dredge the fish of your choice through a shallow dish of melted butter. To make it fun, children can use CLEAN paint brushes to dip and brush the melted butter onto the fillets. Then in an empty shaker (if you don\u2019t have one, a small bowl works perfectly), measure and place inside shaker or bowl, the following dry spices:<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n After painting your fish with butter, sprinkle the dried seasonings. Now the adult takes over. Pre-heat skillet 1-2 minutes (as mentioned above, I like my Tante\u2019s old cast iron skillet), add the buttery, seasoned fillets and cook for 3 to 4 minutes per side on medium-high heat. Oh, the crunchy goodness!\u00a0<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n Bon App\u00e9tit, y\u2019all!<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n Thank you all for spending your precious time with us. If you\u2019d like a chance to WIN a SIGNED copy of this beautiful new book, please LEAVE A COMMENT and tell us what your favorite fish fry would contain\u2026and also, please SHARE this post on your social media platforms!<\/strong> I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/viviankirkfield.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/image-2.png?w=1024\")
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A Season for Fishin\u2019<\/em>\u00a0is a joyous debut picture book by Pamela Courtney full of fishing, summertime traditions, and delicious food \u2013 inspired by the author\u2019s intergenerational and multicultural Louisiana upbringing.<\/strong><\/p>\n
Ripples sway,<\/em>
back and forth,<\/em>
back and forth.<\/em>
Sounds like Fish Fry Friday.<\/em><\/p>\n
Kinfolk gather.<\/em>
Cher is part of tradition. It\u2019s\u00a0her\u00a0<\/em>season of fishin\u2019.<\/p>\n
1. I love books that authentically share cultures and customs <\/strong>
2. I love books where the text is lyrical and engaging!<\/strong>
3. I love books where the illustrations truly leap off the page, and wrap the reader in color and beauty.<\/strong><\/p>\n
a literacy and music program for early learners. With nearly three decades as an early childhood practitioner and elementary school teacher, Pam brings the eyes of an educator to each narrative she crafts, as she engages children in history, folklore, and the mysticism of her rural Louisiana culture. \u201cMy duty is great,\u201d states Pam. \u201cI\u2019m a writer who teaches. I\u2019m a teacher who writes.\u201d Pam is the recipient of WeNeedDiverseBooks Mentorship, Highlights Diversity Fellowship,
and the WeNeedDiverseBooks Walter Dean Myers Grant. Pam also serves as faculty for the Highlights Foundation.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\nTail <\/s>Tale (LOL). \u201cWhere have you been hiding this? Why wasn\u2019t this sent to me before now? This is such a delightful story?\u201d James cast a limited net, keeping the lines tight and in no time, we got a bite. Janine O\u2019Malley was hooked. The name of the story was changed and sold before the story my agent James had fallen in love with. You never know how the waters will respond, do you?<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n
Website: https:\/\/www.pamelacourtney.com\/<\/a>
IG: https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/pam_is_mylmnop\/<\/a>
Tik Tok: https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/@pam_is_mylmnop?lang=en<\/a>
Bluesky: https:\/\/bsky.app\/profile\/pamismylmnop.bsky.social<\/a>
Threads: https:\/\/www.threads.com\/@pam_is_mylmnop<\/a><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/viviankirkfield.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/image-5.png?w=1024\")
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We all love new books\u2026and the best way to help a new book get in the hands of young readers is to:
Buy the book<\/a>
Review the book<\/a>
Tell friends about the book (please share this post widely on your soical media)
Ask our local library to purchase copies for their shelves<\/p>\n