Z Is For Zamboni: A Hockey Alphabet

by Matt Napier, Melanie Rose (Illustrator)

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.

Genres: Picture Books, Sports, Childrens, Hockey, Nonfiction, Canada

40 pages, Hardcover

First published November 1, 2002

Reviews

[Kaethe]

#15 in my 365 Kids Books challenge and bid to be properly restored to a place on the Top 100 Readers list. For a full explanation see my review for 101 Amazing Facts about Australia You can see all the books on their own shelf.

As a very recent hockey fan of only two years, I have to read anything on the subject. So this has been on my kindle for a couple of weeks. What better way to acknowledge the birthday of the PandaBatWolf who got me hooked?

Fun book. Lots of facts, lovely illustrations, and a place of honor for the Zamboni. As a Canes fan I have tremendous respect for the machines and the drivers thereof.

Library copy

[Casey]

My son watches hockey games only to get a glimpse of the Zamboni. He gets mad during the intermissions when they show a bunch of old white dudes talking rather than the Zamboni cleaning the ice. When it peeks over an analyst’s shoulder, he gets all pumped up. “Zamboni! Zamboni!” So naturally, this is one of his favourite books.

It’s a fun book for hockey fans. The illustrations are nice, and it hits on most of the historical eras. Going back to King Clancy and the Original Six, Miracle on Ice, Gretzky and Mario, and the Salt Lake Olympics. Some of the letter entries are a little awkward though… “Equipment is the word which we shall use for E”. Just roll with it dude! E is for Equipment! No need to get fancy.

I also must knock it down a full star for referencing Bobby Hull. This guy is the furthest thing from a role model and should be very far away from any children’s book. Don’t google him… just trust me on that one.

[Steph]

Super cute for a little ones who are starting off in both the hockey world and reading world.

[Boaz Slater]

Mommy says this is a very important book, but I started crying halfway through. 🏒

[Elaine]

What a gem for NHL and hockey fans. I liked how there is a cute rhyme scheme for kids but for those who want to know more information about the game there is a complete description of hockey terminology! It's also interesting to see how some of the NHL rules have changed since there were two lockouts since this book was published in 2002. One thing will always be the same (hopefully), the puck must cross the red line completely to be credited as a goal. AHHH, I love hockey :)

[Nancy]

I bought this book to give to my son and grandson. I'm not much of a hockey fan, but it looks like an excellent book for a hockey family with a preschooler. Each letter of the alphabet is illustrated with a hockey related word and has a short rhyming description of the picture. There is also a longer explanation with more detail aimed at the adult reading the book, perfect for sparking discussion about the pictures.

[Alice]

3.5 stars Fun for hockey fans!!! (Like me) It is simple with the basic a is for...and also in the margins more detailed information about Hockey!! A nice one! It it a little outdated because the last Olympics it mentions is 2002 SLC (Yes I remember Feb 2002 VERY well here in Utah)But we have had many more since then. Still it is a fun one!! Go Hockey!!

[Mavis’s Dad]

Alphabet books for toddlers can get monotonous. There’s only so many “A is for Apple” a guy can tolerate. But then you stumble upon a gem like this, where you get to introduce a sport to The Kid.

Moral: Hockey is a great way to learn your letters.

Length: It’s long. Right now we’re just doing the poem. But it also turns into quite the research book for kids who want to know more. So you can definitely grow old with this book.

Favorite Line: “And G can stand for Gretzky, perhaps the ‘greatest’ one of all. When he began to play the game, old records were soon to fall.”

Overall Impression: No heated rivals here, just cold truths about the fastest sport on ice. Cool pictures, history lessons, rules of the game and learning the alphabet all come together in a book that is the Stanley Cup Champion of this genre. We have to find the baseball version of this before Mavis learns her alphabet.

[Virginia]

This is our current favorite board book. Not only does it quiet the kid every time (though she's still preverbal, so that's not really an indicator of whether it appeals to children or not), but we enjoy it, too, and actually learned a couple of things. Doesn't have the typical rhyming pacing of an ABC book, but meh. Does assume some basic hockey knowledge, more than we had, actually, it's inspired us to look some concepts and people up which is always pleasantly surprising. We consider ourselves to be hockey fans, but as we grew up in a part of the country that likes, but doesn't live and breathe hockey, it was really cool to learn some things. From an ABCs board book.

Not the best illustrations for kids, but they feel right for the subject. And why did Zamboni get in the figure skating hall of fame (from the postscript on the back), but not the hockey? That just feels wrong.

[Ali Book&Seaglasshunter]

I really love Alphabet books. Most people thing they are for only young children, but really that’s not the case. Z is for Zamboni is an alphabet book that would appeal to hockey fans of every age. It has beautiful, colorful, detailed illustrations. Each page features a short rhyme to describe the chosen word for the letter, and then additional information is provided alongside. My only complaint is that I’d like to have seen a bit more diversity represented, we could do better than women being represented on only one page, as well as other groups that are left out of the illustrations. Let’s encourage everyone to play this awesome Sport!

[Amy]

Some of the words chosen to represent the alphabet annoyed me. Why isn’t G chosen for goalie when the other two positions on a hockey team were chosen for their respective letters? Why was a player (Bobby Hull), known for his drinking problem, having a temper, beating (multiple) wives, stating Hitler had ‘good ideas’ and assaulting cops listed in this book? Choose literally any other player or just don’t include him. Seriously wtf.

[Savani]

Z is for Zamboni is a charming and informative alphabet book that takes young readers on a journey through the world of hockey, from A to Z. Each letter introduces a new term or concept related to the sport, making it a great pick for young fans eager to learn more about the game.

Melanie Rose’s illustrations are bright and engaging, adding energy to the educational content. Matt Napier provides not just simple alphabet cues but also fun facts and rhyming verses that offer deeper insights into the sport’s history, rules, and legends.

Unfortunately, I found it difficult to read on my electronic devices, which made the experience less enjoyable. The layout didn’t translate well digitally, and I imagine it would be much more pleasant in physical format where the illustrations and text can shine.

Despite that, it’s a great resource for young hockey enthusiasts, both entertaining and packed with useful information.

[Tami]

I love the book because it is about the alphabet and because she loves hockey. And one time a person was trying to tackle someone and a guy in black and white prevented the tackle from happening and that is why I like the referee. 🍦🍦🍦🍦🍦🍦🍦🍦🍦🍬🍰🍮🍙🥗🥗🥗🥗🥗🍥🍲🍥. Per hope. Good content surprisingly and she has retained a lot from prior readings.

[alana]

Alas, the board book version seems quite lacking compared to the full picture book edition. I was quite lost reading our copy and found the lack of rhyme somewhat off-putting..but these reviews show the original edition has much more information both in the short description and the extra adult info. My kid enjoyed it regardless though!

[Read Ribbet]

Beautiful book for the hockey player or fan. Using an ABC format with rhyming verse to explain the matching word for each letter and then more extended explanations of each word, this multi-level book can be read by readers at different levels. Teams and players among the hockey terms presented with great illustrations.

[Elizabeth Edwards]

great illustrations .. well done!! love it. we don't have hockey in VA ... maybe is a bigger city so i have always been kind of curious about it all ... looks like great exercise and way to keep so moving, moving. well done.

[Mimi]

I don't have a particular affection, or dislike regarding hockey, tbh the sport leaves me quite cold (bad pun intended), but I do love the word zamboni.

This alphabet book had wonderful illustrations, some interesting facts at beginner level, and most importantly, the little one liked it.

[Sophie Crane]

There is very little choice for hockey fans who want to buy their little enthusiasts themed gifts but even if there was, this book would still be at the top of great gift lists. We have one thrilled little skater in our house!

[Nay]

Really cute

For my little hockey fan it was a great story to make the alphabet a little more fun and easier to remember.

[Adela Bider]

Interesting book to engage students to learn the alphabet

[Lynn Davidson]

This is a large board book, brightly illustrated, featuring hockey - from A to Z. Nicely done!

[Emily]

Got this for a little one who is OBSESSED with hockey. He loves it but I didn't follow the references to famous players since I don't follow hockey.

[Bibliobabe]

Cute alphabet book about hockey. And with this, I finished my 2021 Alphabet soup challenge!

[Laurel Zeisler]

Great for adults as well as kids.

[Kane Viktorovich]

A bit dated but still a good book for kids who are hockey-obsessed. Good general, ground knowledge.

[Typhani]

Summary: 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. Thanks Amazon!


Audience: Ages 3-6

Genre: Picture book

Use: Independent reading

Life Lessons: Teaches about the sport of hockey

Recommendations/Awards: I would recommend this because I LOVE hockey!

Publisher: Sleeping Bear Press (January 1, 2007)

[Kristin]

Matt Napier’s short lyrical verse walks the through the basics and history of the game and through the alphabet, while more advanced readers can get more in-depth information in the paragraphs on the side making this book an interesting read for both primary and intermediate readers. Melanie Rose’s acrylic paintings vary from bold and crisp of current players to gentle, sepia toned historical depictions: a delight for all.

[Torie]

My husband is a huge hockey fan, so this book was a present to my first-born daughter and him on her 2nd Christmas. They have read it together many times over the last year, and one of her first words was “hockey”.

This book takes the reader through the alphabet assigning each letter to something or someone related to hockey. S for Stanley Cup, for example. It gives a tiny bit of history or fact about that word also, which makes for a great intro to the sport of hockey for the very young.

[Upstatemamma]

We took this book out of the library awhile ago and then after we had taken it out several times we got it for our son for Christmas. He loves it. It has lots of information and is really interesting. It almost has two books inside itself. One for the kids and one more in depth with more information about everything hockey related.

[Todd Freer]

Concept Book (ABCs) -- Wonderful book--each letter describes something that has to do with hockey. Next to each page in the margin is a summary that relates to each picture in addition to the letter and photo on the page itself.