'TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE SHINNY

In this tale modeled after Clement C. Moore’s famous Yuletide poem, woodland animals gather overnight for a game of outdoor ice hockey known as shinny.

“’Twas the night before shinny and all through the woods, / not a maple leaf fluttered, so all was still good.” While several pale-skinned human youngsters are “nestled and snug in their beds,” the animal hockey players gather on the ice, readying themselves for a game of shinny. A blue jay serves as referee, while the chipmunk announcers offer running commentary. But the game proves stressful (“No one is scoring—this is no fun at all!”) until real-life hockey legend Gordie Howe descends on the ice—as magical and mystical as St. Nick himself—and imparts his wisdom. Nicholson’s rhymes mostly work, though there are some clunky and forced pairings that make reading aloud slightly awkward. The story will appeal to hockey fans, with its inclusion of sport-specific terms, but those outside the fandom may not understand or appreciate it as much (particularly the cameo from Howe). Chen’s illustrations, complete with gear-wearing animals, do an excellent job of conveying movement and action. A page featuring a series of overlapping shots puts readers right on the ice. The anthropomorphized animals have expressive faces that convey their frustration and elation alike. The final page includes a brief glossary of hockey terms, more information on Howe, and a checklist of basic equipment.

An exuberant ode to hockey carried by delightful illustrations.