The High-Tech Gooseneck Putter


Children - Preteen
98 Pages
Reviewed on 07/06/2012
Buy on Amazon

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    Book Review

Reviewed by Lee Ashford for Readers' Favorite

“The High-Tech Gooseneck Putter” by Samuel DiMatteo & Kristin Johnson is perfectly illustrated by James Borgett. The book is written for children, but not for children to read. Rather, this is a chapter book suited to being read TO children, perhaps as a bedtime story. This is the story of Sami DiMani, a goose bent on winning the annual Waterfowl Tour Golf Championship. Sami is an exceptional golfer, and the odds-on favorite to take home the prize. But not everybody is rooting for Sami to win. In fact, one of his competitors would give anything to beat Sami. Will Sami win the tournament? Or will Pete Swan Wake sabotage his game? What about the lovely Miss Polly; will she fall as hard for Sami as he falls for her?

I thought this was a cute story. I was surprised to realize this book is meant to be read TO children. Still, it was a pleasant and enjoyable children’s story. I could picture my own children falling asleep as I read this bedtime story to them, one chapter each night. I am concerned about one episode in which Sami is wounded by a goose hunter. The unnecessarily graphic description is likely to give younger children nightmares. Over the course of my career as a wildlife biologist, I associated closely with waterfowl hunters for 25 years, and never met a single one who would jovially describe himself “blowing off” half of a bird’s foot, nor making its eye “explode”. The description did not further the story, and should be toned down to a level suitable for 3 and 4 year old children. I liked the illustrations, which are very colorful, intentionally cartoonish, and perfectly suited for maintaining the interest of young children. All things considered, this is a cute bedtime story for children, up to whatever age they decide they are “too old” for bedtime stories. I would just urge a little editorial caution when reading the part where Sami gets wounded.

Kristie Ingerto

Samuel DiMatteo and Kristin Johnson bring to life golfer Sami DeMani in their children's book, The High-tech Gooseneck Putter. Sami is an exceptional golfer who is slated to win the Waterfowl Tour. Golfing is Sami's life, so much so that he has put off having a wife and family because he does not have the time that is required. Suddenly Sami finds himself injured and in the hospital, so his dreams and plans change. Sami's life now becomes coaching his nephew, Myles, with the aid of the Gooseneck Putter. Sami and Myles work together, and they learn lessons in more than just the game of golf.

This is a cute story that uses the game of golf to instill values in people, such as working together, love and sportsmanship. The reader will enjoy following Sami throughout his journey of being a top golfer, to being hurt, to altering his focus to assist and train Myles. The illustrations by James Borgett are adorable throughout the story and add a lot to the story. There are many details in the illustrations and the descriptive words help the reader to have vivid images throughout the book. It's a cute story with great and inspiring messages throughout!