From School Library Journal
Kindergarten-Grade 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, CanadaCopyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.


Book Description
"Z is for Zamboni" is an alphabet book for hockey fans young and old across America. Matt Napier's "breakaway" rhymes and "hard-checking" expository text team up with the "top-shelf" illustrations of Melanie Rose to elucidate this increasingly popular game for every beginning hockey aficionado. Highlighting rules, players, coaches, teams, and the history of the game, it is both fun and educational.

ANNOTATION

Each letter of the alphabet introduces a fact about the game of hockey.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

In the mold of our very popular series of state alphabet books, we offer Z is for Zamboni to hockey fans young and old across North America. Matt Napier's "breakaway" rhymes and "hard-checking" expository text team up with the "top-shelf" illustrations of Melanie Rose to elucidate this increasingly popular game for every beginning hockey aficionado. Highlighting rules, players, coaches, teams, and the history of the game, it is both fun and educational.

FROM THE CRITICS

Publishers Weekly

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.

School Library Journal