That's Not Hockey, written by Andree Poulin and illustrated by Felix Girard. Annick Press, 2018. $21.95 ages 5 and up

"Jacques is thrilled by his
first goalie pads. His dad
made them out of potato
sacks and wooden slats.
Hey, that's not hockey! 

But this seven-year-old
won't be stopped.

At fifteen, Jacques plays
goal for a factory team ... "

Are there ever be enough hockey books for our kids? I doubt it. I am ever pleased to see a new one that is sure to garner attention, while telling a good story. Additionally, it is about not fitting the mold expected of you, of having the courage to dare to be different and to stand up for yourself. The best part - it is never preachy or overbearing.

It is Jacques Plante's story: beginning when he was a three year old, focused on hockey from sunup till sundown. Using a tree branch and a tennis ball may not be what we think of as hockey. It was enough for Jacques to indulge his love of the game. He graduated, with his father's help, from a branch to a tree root by the time he was seven. When his interest turned to goaltending, his father fashioned goalie pads from potato sacks and wooden slats.

Imagine the joy he felt when the Montreal Canadiens hired him at age twenty-one! He used his amazing talent to earn great success for himself and his team. But, his early career was not without incident.

"He leads his team to victory but his face suffers badly.
Broken jawbone.
Broken right cheekbone.
Broken left cheekbone.
Broken nose - four times.
Hairline fracture of the skull.
More than two hundred stitches for cuts
to his face and head!"

Finally deciding enough was enough, he wore a mask. No one was happy to see him with his face covered, sure that it would impede his ability to play the game as he had been playing it. When he is badly hurt one more time, he refuses to go back on the ice without his mask. Can you play the game without a goalie? I think not. Jacques Plante faced boos from the crowd, and a good deal of anger. He stood his ground.

His record, while wearing that first goalie mask, speaks for itself!

Hockey fans will be thrilled with this well-told story, and its glimpse at old-time hockey in Felix Girard's action-packed illustrations.