Z Is for Zamboni: A Hockey Alphabet (Sports)
by Matt M. Napier
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Book Summary Information
Author: Matt M. NapierBrand: Sleeping Bear Press
Illustrator: Melanie Rose
Edition: Board book
Audio: English (Original Language); English (Unknown); English (Published)
Published: 2006-09-21
ISBN: 1585363030
Number of pages: 40
Reading Level: Baby-Preschool
Publisher: Sleeping Bear Press
Product features:
- ISBN13: 9781585363032
- Condition: NEW
- Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
Book Reviews of Z Is for Zamboni: A Hockey Alphabet (Sports)
Book Review: A great introduction to hockey!
Summary: 5 Stars
I am always curious to learn just what letter will be used in the title of an alphabet book. "Z is for Zamboni" is perfect! Why? Because what I know about hockey is contained in the title: a zamboni (to quote the book) is "a machine that cleans the ice, ensuring for tomorrow's game/ a surface smooth and nice."
I looked at all the hockey books in the children's division of Amazon, seeking just one representative, informative book about hockey. I had a request from one of my younger patrons/students for a book on hockey. Being familiar with the alphabet books, I knew this one would not disappoint. In fact, I am sure it will delight.
But back to that zamboni. "The ice of the hockey arena becomes rough and chopped-up after the players skate on it for awhile." Repairing it was difficult until Frank Zamboni, in 1949, "invented a motorized ice-resurfacing machine" which "scrapes off a thin layer of ice and lay(s) down an even amount of water" at the beginning of each period and each game.
Does the above wording seem written for ages 4-8, the intended audience? The way all these alphabet books works is this: the little rhyming quatrains and illustrations are for kids and the more detailed information on the sides of each double-paged spread is for older audiences, making this book one for all ages. That is pretty much true for all the alphabet books.
The history of hockey, players, terms, sporting events, and participation in the sport are items included in the book. And, wow, I learned quite a bit in my read-through. Young readers will have a field day with this book. No, make that: Young readers will have a hockey game with this book. No, that means hitting and shoving and perhaps a P: penalty for two, five, or ten minutes. Do you know that, unlike other sports, when a player is sent to the penalty box, there is no replacement player? That's the double-edged penalty: against the player AND the team. Interesting item: P is for puck, "black rubber to the core." Obviously, puck represents the P, not penalty, because the word "puck" is lesser known than "penalty."
K is for King Clancy: "How much can one man do?/ Not only did he play and coach,/ he was a manger, too." And a referee. In fact, he is such a legend that an award was set in his name and presented annually to the player that "best displays leadership skills on and off the ice."
Oh yes, I forgot. I know Gretzky, in addition to zamboni. Wayne Gretzky "is considered by many to be the greatest player to ever play the game of hockey...and holds over 60 NHL records for scoring and playmaking." Indeed!
Other letters: E is for equipment (Jacques Plante was the first goalie to wear a mask--1959)--the illustration shows two boys, age 8 or so, sitting on a bench in the locker room, intently putting on their uniforms with their equipment next to them (my favorite illustration!), S and T are for penalties--Slash and Trip, H is for the Hall of Fame, which opened in Toronto in 1961, U is for Team USA, "Who, to everyone's surprise,/ at Lake Placid won Olympic Gold/," and O is for the "Original Six,/ the first teams in the NHL:/ Boston, Toronto, New York, Montreal, Detroit, and Chicago, as well."
This review began with the last alphabet letter and will close with the first: A is for Arena, but also All-Star game. An interesting factoid: "The fans often pick the team starters."
It is widely known in educational circles that a good test is also a teaching tool. I hope this review serves the same purpose, not only to enlighten about the book's contents, but also to offer a few hockey facts for brain storage.
Although intended for audiences 4-8 (I want to extend that to 12), "Z is for Zamboni" is the kind of directly presented information with excellent illustrations that entice adults to appreciate it along with their children. Highly recommended to those seeking background knowledge of the game.
Summary of Z Is for Zamboni: A Hockey Alphabet (Sports)
With vibrant illustrations that bring the action alive, and A-Z poems that describe the basic elements of the sport, the bestselling "Z is for Zamboni: A Hockey Alphabet" is now available in a new boardbook format, accessible to even the youngest of hockey fans.General Books
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