Customer Reviews

The Hockey Sweater

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This is a must-read for all Canadians who ever waited with great anticipation for the ponds and lakes to freeze. It also reveals the pain of being placed on the outside of the circle of friends in a very poignant but humorous way. For old time hockey fans, there are few mentors who come up to the standard of Maurice Richard who is honored in this story.

i had to watch the film for this in elementary school once or twice, so when i read it i have the voice of the narrator in my head. but, as all of the other reviews have said (making this repetitive and somewhat unnecessary) it is a classic children's book. it encapsulates the tension between Quebec and Ontario, that still exists today, but not as much i think. I'm not at all into hockey myself, but am around hockey players so have been exposed to it in some form or another all my life, which might be why i relate to it. but hockey player or not pretty much anyone can relate as its about a kid not getting what he wants and having to cope. and if you don't read it, at least go watch the short film, which is debatably better (or that might just be my preference as i saw the film first).

The Hockey Sweater is such a nice little childrens book that can melt the heart of any hockey fan no matter how old. The book is great for young people, the illustrations are adorable and there is some hockey history laid in the book as well. It is a nice look back on a semi-forgotten time and it is nice to introduce old-school hockey to the youngsters. I am going to read this book to my nephew once he is old enough and if that is not recommendation enough to get your hands on this book yourself, then I am lost for words.

Every Canadian or kost can relate to this book. It will make you want to go play hockey today. This good is great to read to those young kids that play hockey.

All Canadians can identify with the character in this book, be they Montreal, Toronto, Detroit or other hockey teams fans. Everybody who grew up standing in hockey rinks, playing on the ice or dreaming about getting back on has gone through what the main character has. This is a true example of Canadian culture and can also be applied to other sports.

The story of a young Quebecois mortally dismayed at having received the wrong hockey sweater (of the hated Toronto Maple Leafs, no less) has become a true Canadian classic. A very readable story suitable for kids of all ages.

My husband and I saw the short film that the book was based on (or vice versa) and were completely enchanted. When I saw The Hockey Sweater at our local bookstore, I bought it immediately and have shared it with everyone who remembers standing in the freezing cold at outdoor skating areas, listening to sticks crack on anything that could be used as a puck. There's no way not to love the innocence, beauty and evocative illustrations, especially if you love all of the good things about ice hockey, and remember the joy in following a favorite team - no matter what!

It's interesting how everyone ignores the fact that the prejudice in this book is not against the Toronto Maple Leafs, it's against English Canadians. Had the book been written by an English-Canadian author and this tale of the sweaters reversed, there would have been howls of protest from the French in Canada.