It’s that time again. Another book and another review.
(taken from google images)
Z is for Zamboni is written by Matt Napier and illustrated by Melanie Rose (the same team who did Hat Tricks Count). And like the first picture book I brought to you, this has the same set-up. A four-line rhyme using the letter of choice and a great illustration. Then on the sidebars of the pages is more information about the term or person described in the rhyme.
Here’s a peek:
L is for Lord Stanley’s Cup,
every team’s true quest.
Its winners hold it high and proud
and proclaim they are the best.
Sidebar:
The Stanley Cup is the trophy awarded to the best NHL team at the end of playoffs. Lord Frederick Arthur Stanley, Governor-general of Canada at the time, donated it in 1892. The Cup is 35 ½ inches tall and weights 35 pounds. It spends most of its time at the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto. Each year the name of the winning team as well as the names of the players, coaches and team officials are inscribed on the Cup. The first winner of this prestigious trophy was the Montreal Amateur Athletic Association (AAA) in the 1892-1893 season. The first American team to win it was the Seattle Metropolitans in 1917. Presently, there are over 2,000 names on the Stanley Cup.
(Taken from book. No page numbers again)
G is Gretzky, S & T are slashing and tripping (which for a newbie like me is helpful because I still don’t pick up well on penalties when watching), and P is for puck. It’s, like the other book, good fun and an abundance of information. My nephew has no idea that his aunt is so awesome in her gift-giving.
Probably has more to do with the fact that he’s only two years old and not doing much in-depth thinking anyway.
Z for Zamboni by Matt Napier **** (out of five stars)
I’m not sure why this one is less thrilling to me than the numbers book, but that’s why it is half a star less. It’s still brilliant and an excellent book for the children in your life. Brainwash them early, people. Hockey needs to eclipse football in this country.
P.S. At the end of the book, they cover a few more hockey terms, including icing. The explanation is not nearly as good as the goalie’s in Slap Shot.