June 18, 2009

The Breakaway Kid by Ben Atkins

I got this great children's book sent to me the other day. Published back in 2005, author Ben Atkins and illustrator Vanessa Wood teamed up to give us The Breakaway Kid.

Buy The Book | Amazon.ca - Amazon.com |

It is a story about a young boy, Dylan Taylor, who is determined to play hockey despite losing a leg in an accident.

Those of us with kids know how negative they can be. So if you are looking to eliminate the word "can't" from their dictionary early on in life, this is a good book to do it with. This is an inspirational story, very well written and beautifully illustrated, with a great message from several angles.

Dylan is a positive kid who just wants to be like everyone else. He won't let anything stop him from doing what he wants to do, not even a lost leg. If he can do it, why can't I?

His parents set the example and are very supportive. They show how we can all lead our children to achieve their dreams.

His classmates and teammates are quietly skeptical but soon won over by admiration for Dylan. I especially appreciated how the author took the time to send the message out to us that just because someone is different does not mean we should treat them any differently.

This is a good children's book for the young hockey fan in your family. It allows you to interact with your child and talk about the lessons of life this book offers.

The book is suggest for ages 9-12. At 32 pages, much of which is illustrations, I would suspect kids 5-8 would also really enjoy this book, too. Especially if Mom or Dad was reading it to them.

June 15, 2009

NHL Guide and Record Books Over The Years

Here's a look at the covers of the NHL Guide and Record Book over the years:




















Special thanks goes out to Chris Mizzoni for providing some of the images. Do you have more NHL Guide & Record Book cover images to share? Contact me at teamcanada72@gmail.com

June 10, 2009

Two New Books From The Hockey News


Currently scheduled for an October 27, 2009 release is The Pursuit of Hockeyness: 99 Things Every Hockey Fan Needs to Do In Their Lifetime. There really is not of information about this 225 page trade-paperback as of right now. But it is safe to assume we will see things like going to the Hockey Hall of Fame, see a live game at Madison Square Gardens, visit Montreal, and play shinny on a frozen pond. With some nice photography, I think this book has some potential.

Pre-Order: Amazon.ca - chapters.indigo.ca - Amazon.com

Also scheduled for release on Oct. 27th is THN's Puck Funnies: Hockey Humour, Hilarity and Hi-Jinx. Again, there is very little information out right now, other than it is an identical 225 pages and a trade paperback.

Pre-Order: Amazon.ca - chapters.indigo.ca - Amazon.com

THN and Transcontinental books have put out a few books in recent years, with mixed results. In 2008 they released Habs Heroes by Ken Campbell and Ultimate Book Of Hockey Lists. In 2007 they released THN's Top 60 since 1967

June 9, 2009

2009 Hockey Book Previews: Two Books From Don Weekes

This is Don Weekes new book World Class Hockey Trivia, one of two new trivia books out by everybody's favorite trivia king.

This book is all about international hockey, which is timely considering the Olympics are coming. Olympics, Canada/World Cups, world championships, the 1972 Summit Series...they're all covered. The questions and games are challenging - I should know, I had the great pleasure on working on this book with Weekes.

Pre Order | Amazon.ca - Chapters - Amazon.com |

The other Don Weekes entry of 2009 is The Biggest Book of Hockey Trivia. Big it is! There is 576 pages with over 800 questions!

Pre-Order | Amazon.ca - Chapters - Amazon.com |

June 8, 2009

2009 Hockey Book Previews: Gretzky's Tears and Peter Pocklington's New Book

This is the early cover image release for what will be one of the most eagerly anticipated books of 2009.

Gretzky's Tears: Hockey, Canada, and the Day Everything Changed is written by Stephen Brunt, the fine Globe & Mail columnist and author of the critically acclaimed 2007 release Searching for Bobby Orr.

Brunt dissects the continuing aftermath of the biggest trade in NHL history, looking at the many angles the world of hockey changed after Wayne Gretzky was sold from Edmonton to Los Angeles.

Pre-Order: | Amazon.ca - Chapters - Amazon.com |

Interestingly, the book will be sold in the United States with the title Gretzky's Tears: Hockey, America and the Day Everything Changed. Mr. Brunt tells me the two books are basically the same texts, with the American version slightly altered to clarify Canadian cultural differences.

By the way, Mr. Brunt's book will not be the only book looking at the Gretzky Trade. In fact, there is another book coming that is written by the man who traded Gretzky, Peter Pocklington himself. I'd Trade Him Again: Peter Pocklington on Gretzky, Politics and the Pursuit of the Perfect Deal is slated for a mid-October release.

Pre-Order: | Amazon.ca - Chapters - Amazon.com |