Gretzky's Game [Hardcover]

Gr. 1-3. Ryan worries that his small stature will keep him from making a select hockey team, the Oil Kings. His dad, however, encourages him to use his speed and intelligence, reminding him that Edmonton Oilers superstar Wayne Gretzky makes up for his lack of size with speed and hockey savvy. The remainder of this picture book parallels Ryan's season on his junior team with the Edmonton Oilers' Stanley Cup-winning season. Banning's realistic, colorful illustrations add a lot to the story, especially in the paintings that evoke the world of backyard hockey rinks. The text features some words or phrases in a larger font; there's no particular reason why this needed to be done, but the bold, large-type words are not off-putting. A final page gives further details on Gretzky's hockey career. For young, hard-core hockey fans. Todd Morning
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"Game-by-game, goal-by-goal and, sometimes, play-by-play ... guaranteed to appeal to old souls as well as the newly converted." -- Globe and Mail on The Greatest Goal --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Ryan loves to play hockey. Every year, his dad makes a rink in the backyard, and Ryan plays with his brother Jason and practises for his team. But Ryan is small for his age and tends to get pushed around. He really wants to make the select team this year, but has to practise extra hard to get through the tryout. Ryan follows the Edmonton Oilers and his hero is Wayne Gretzky. Gretzky is small, too, but he sure can skate and score. And he is leading the Oilers in the Stanley Cup finals against the reigning champs, the New York Islanders. Inspired by Gretzky's example, Ryan makes the select team-and his hero leads the Oilers to Edmonton's first ever Cup win! Gretzky's Game is the fifth in the bestselling Hockey Heroes series from Mike Leonettii. Ages 5 and up

Mike Leonetti (Woodbridge, Ontario) is the author of the acclaimed children's bestsellers My Leafs Sweater, The Greatest Goal, Number Four, Bobby Orr! and The Goalie Mask, as well as the adult books Maple Leaf Legends and Canadiens Legends, all published by Raincoast. Greg Banning (Toronto) has worked in advertising and illustrated a number of book covers, notably the Screech Owl series. This is his first work on the Hockey Heroes series.