The Hockey Card
Written by: Jack Siemiatycki and Avi Slodovnick
Illustrated by: Doris Barrette
Recommended for ages 5 – 10.
$21.95

The expressive faces on the boys in this story really contribute to the excitement of the tale. The young nephew listens to his Uncle Jack’s legend about his most-prized hockey card, that of Maurice “The Rocket” Richard. When he was a youngster Jack was challenged to a winner-takes-all match by Sylvester Kornpot, the biggest card shark of the entire school. After a shaky start, it seemed that Jack would lose all of his cards until it came down to his “Rocket” card. Will his most treasured card pull through for him in the end?

Although the story does not actually entail a hockey game with two teams, each page includes a picture of a hockey player (a Canadien or a Maple Leaf) that coincides with the main story. When Jack thought he would lose all of his cards to Sylvester, the picture on the opposing page shows a Canadien with his head down on his stick and his hand on his hip. Then when Jack and Sylvester are playing their last card, the picture shows a player skating away with the Stanley Cup hoisted over his head. An interesting illustrative style.

Hockey cards are as timeless as the game itself and many young fathers and sons (and daughters for that matter) will enjoy this winter story as hockey season swings into full gear.