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That’s Hockey

by David Bouchard, Dean Griffiths, illus.

That’s Hockey is a playful trip back to a time when hockey was played outside. Seasoned author David Bouchard cleverly crafts the story in first person and conceals whether the main character is a girl or boy until the surprise twist on the last page.

A young hockey fan is visiting her cousin in the country for the weekend, and they join the other kids of the neighbourhood for a real hockey game, which means no skates, no pads, and no helmets. It also means clearing the street of snow that “must have been ten feet deep in spots,” setting up “Bennie’s boots and Ben’s jacket” for the goal, using an old red ball instead of a puck, and letting the “teams kind of just happen.” Everyone plays and everyone scores. The game goes on and on, with victory declared by both sides numerous times, and ends only when the goal markers disappear. The reader gets drawn into the old-fashioned thrill of playing hockey for fun.

Illustrator Dean Griffiths fills each page with lively watercolour scenes punctuated with Montreal Canadiens red. The wide-eyed characters are happy and full of zest, creating the feeling of movement and a rollicking good time. That’s Hockey is a first-rate picture book that will appeal to hockey fans of both sexes.

 

Reviewer: Ingrid Masak Mida

Publisher: Orca Book Publishers

DETAILS

Price: $19.95

Page Count: 32 pp

Format: Cloth

ISBN: 1-55143-223-4

Released: Oct.

Issue Date: 2002-10

Categories: Picture Books

Age Range: ages 4-8