Golf Through the Eyes of a Child

On the first page, a young boy named Henry introduces himself before beginning to tell readers all about golf. His love for the game can’t be missed as he explains what he likes about it: being outside on nice summer days, spending time with his parents and grandparents, and even pretending to drive the golf cart. He also discusses the variety golf offers, like club selection and course strategies: “Sometimes it pays to be aggressive and to go for it, but sometimes it’s better to play it safe!” The similes comparing drivers to cannons and wedges to arrows hitting a target are particularly instructive and fun. DeSerres is clearly a knowledgeable fan and player of the sport, and that passion and know-how are convincingly shared through young Henry, while skillfully simplified to help young readers (and those reading to them) appreciate nuanced aspects of the game. While some of Kubish’s digital illustrations are less polished, others nicely capture elements of the narrative and offer clever observations, like the robot on Henry’s desk foreshadowing the robot caddie. After reading this book, those who have never played golf might be intrigued to try, while those who already love the game will enjoy this youthful celebration of it.