Z is for Zamboni: A Hockey Alphabet

by Matt Napier, Melanie Rose (Illustrator)

Overview

Hockey fans can learn the alphabet with this fun book that utilizes images of all things hockey. Highlighting rules, players, coaches, teams, and the history of the game, this picture book entertains as it educates.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781585362387
Publisher:	Sleeping Bear Press
Publication date:	12/28/2003
Series:	Sports Alphabet
Edition description:	REV
Pages:	40
Product dimensions:	9.80(w) x 10.80(h) x 0.30(d)
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

Matt Napier was born in Montreal, Quebec and moved frequently throughout North America and Italy with his family before settling in Toronto, Ontario where he now resides. Matt studied political science at the University of Toronto before earning his law degree from the University of Windsor. Matt works as an attorney for a Toronto law firm and he is the author of the best-selling Z is for Zamboni: A Hockey Alphabet; Hat Tricks Count: A Hockey Number Book; and I Spy with My Little Eye: Hockey. When not working or writing, Matt enjoys reading, playing hockey and golf, practicing guitar, and traveling.

Melanie Rose's charming and lively oil paintings brought Canada vividly to life in Mike Ulmer's M is for Maple: A Canadian Alphabet. She has also illustrated Z is for Zamboni: A Hockey Alphabet and K is for Kick: A Soccer Alphabet. A graduate of the Ontario College of Art, Melanie lives in Mississauga, Canada, with her son.

Editorial Reviews

Famous players, positions, game rules and more make up Matt Napier's Z Is for Zamboni: A Hockey Alphabet, illus. by Melanie Rose. Written in verse, the book begins with the arena where it all happens ("A is for Arena./ The game is played in here,/ A building where the fans all gather/ to clap and boo and cheer"), closes with the Zamboni that cleans the ice for the next face-off, and includes the roles of players and some of the stars ("B is for two Bobbys,/ with last names of Hull and Orr"). Up-close paintings of intent players and landscape views of the rink vary the pacing.

Publishers Weekly

K-Gr 4-From "A is for Arena./The game is played in here,/a building where the fans all gather/to clap and boo and cheer" to "-Zamboni for Z-/a machine that cleans the ice,/ensuring for tomorrow's game/a surface smooth and nice," this volume introduces various aspects of the sport and some highlights from its history. For example, "U is for Team USA-/Who, to everyone's surprise,/at Lake Placid won Olympic Gold/before a nation filled with pride." The use of Canadian spelling, according to the author, is a tribute to the origins of the game. Bold acrylic paintings depict professional players, as well as youngsters at play. Buy where demand warrants.-L. R. Little, Penticton Public Library, British Columbia, Canada Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.

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