BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — A new children’s book has launched that inspires young children — and especially young girls — to try fishing as a family activity. Layla’s Big Bass was born from one family’s search for fishing-themed storybooks to read their young daughter at bedtime.
“My husband and I have enjoyed fishing together for years, and it’s an activity we always knew our daughter would join in on, too,” explained author Laura Bartolozzi. “I tried to find bass fishing-specific books for little girls, but truly none existed and, frankly, my husband and I were both sick of reading stories about unicorns and princesses to our daughter Layla Grace.”
The story follows Layla as she pursues her dream of catching the biggest bass in the lake and discovers that nothing compares to the feeling of a tug on her line.
Bartolozzi’s difficulty finding a fishing story for young girls is not surprising. Despite women’s interest in fishing at an all-time high — an estimated 17.9 million participants in 2020 — according to a survey by the Recreational Boating & Fishing Foundation, a whopping 82% of women who enjoy fishing say they do not see themselves represented. According to a separate RBFF study, 1 in 5 Americans are more likely now to try fishing than they were before the pandemic. Among parents, the statistic is 1 in 4, underscoring the importance of Layla’s Big Bass in helping young girls discover a fishing role model.
“I hope the story of Layla resonates with young girls,” said Bartolozzi. “I want girls to be empowered by Layla’s aspirations and know they can attain whatever they put their minds to on or off the water.”
B.A.S.S., the worldwide authority on bass fishing, is sponsoring the book and using its platforms to help inspire families as they begin exploring the great outdoors. Go Out{side} by Bassmaster seeks to educate outdoor enthusiasts of any skill level on a variety of outdoor topics. Go Out{side} Ambassadors and successful tournament anglers Kristine Fischer, who had a Top 15 finish in the co-angler division at the 2021 Basspro.com Bassmaster Open at Pickwick Lake and won the Hobie Bass Open Series Tournament of Champions as a kayak angler, and Cricket Coates, a 2021 Mossy Oak Fishing Bassmaster High School National Championship presented by Academy Sports + Outdoors qualifier, provide their deep expertise whilst also serving as role models to incoming female anglers.
Successful female anglers of all levels are praising the message of Layla’s Big Bass.
“This book is a great way to show girls that you do not have to do ‘girl things’ like dance, pageants or cheerleading, and I think it is amazing that B.A.S.S. is sponsoring this children’s book,” said Alexis Grandstaff, a two-time Bassmaster High School National Championship qualifier and member of the 2021 Bassmaster High School All-American Team presented by Academy Sports + Outdoors. “As a child, I would have loved to hear stories about fishing. I would have wanted to be just like Layla!”
Lainie Holbert, half of the all-female Riverside Bass Team who notched a win and two Top 10 finishes during the 2021 Mossy Oak Fishing Bassmaster Junior Series season, echoed that sentiment. “I think if I would have had a female fishing role model earlier in my life or could’ve read about females succeeding in fishing it would’ve accelerated my desire to fish at an earlier age. I was a lucky one and had an older brother who I watched and wanted to be like. A lot of girls don’t have that.”
The desire to catch big bass, just like Layla, can start early in childhood for both boys and girls.
“I started fishing when I was two,” said Sarah Swindle, Holbert’s fishing partner. Swindle reports fishing against grown men by the time she was seven and even, “won a trophy for being the youngest fishermen in the league!”
Order a copy of Layla’s Big Bass online or visit the author’s website at laurabartolozzi.com to learn more.
