When I Grow Up I’m Going to Be A Hockey Star
Written by: Kimberly Jo Simac
Illustrated by: Emily Rose Gritt
Recommended for ages: 4-7
Great Northern Adventure Co. Inc $21.00

I am thrilled to have discovered yet another hockey book that will appeal to many Canadian youngsters and their parents. This one is written by a hockey mother in Wisconsin but could just as easily take place in a small town in Canada.

We are taken through all of the stages of a young child learning to play our national sport from skating to stopping to stick-handling. This little fellow practices shooting at home into the laundry basket and daydreams at school about being a great hockey star, something his teacher says is ‘alright’. When his Mom tucks him at night, this little guy inevitably has a recurring dream of being a superstar by scoring a game-winning goal.

The illustrations are impressive, considering they are the masterpiece of a very young artist. Gritt is a university student studying art education. She captures the youthfulness of this character beautifully and it is apparent that she has spent many hours in hockey rinks. The details, from the collapsed ankles to the sticks peaking over the bench, are all familiar to those of us who watch our children enjoy this wonderful game.

The format of this hardcover picture book lends itself to a read-aloud story yet the text is rhyming with very few words per page which is ideal for new independent readers.