Glory on Ice: A Vampire Hockey Story

by Maureen Fergus, Mark Fearing (Illustrator)

A centuries-old vampire decides to bring his crushing-and-destroying skills to the ice in this hilarious story about the newest (and oldest) member of the local peewee hockey team.

After centuries alone in his old castle, Vlad is ready to try something new. When he hears the local hockey team gushing about how they'll crush and destroy their opponents in the next game, he knows he's found the activity for him! Vlad immediately gives the game his all, but he soon realizes that super-human powers don't mean much in hockey without a mastery of the basics.

Genres: Picture Books, Sports, Vampires, Fantasy, Humor, Hockey, Fiction

40 pages, Hardcover

Published October 6, 2020

About the author

Author also writes as M.L. Fergus

Maureen Fergus's books for young people have been translated into more than a dozen languages, optioned for film and adapted for stage. They've been shortlisted and won many regional, national and international awards. Maureen also writes epic romantasy novels for older readers under the name M.L.Fergus. In addition to being a writer, Maureen has degrees in science and business, and she has held senior management positions in the aerospace, biopharmaceutical and financial services industries. She lives in Winnipeg, Canada with her family.

Reviews

[Lisa Yee Swope]

What’s life, even an immortal life, if you’re not learning something? So Vlad the vampire joins a peewee hockey team, where he discovers his supernatural powers do not include skating or puck handling skills! Fortunately his team supports him in the process of getting better. Charming illustrations in a story of persistence and friendship.

[Rose Rosetree]

Comical illustrations on the front endpaper make me sigh, and not because I have a great longing to some day turn into a vampire.

Look, it's hard to come up with a set of funny illustrations, cold, with no context -- the artist's equivalent of doing standup comedy.

As the book progresses, I think Mark Fearing's illustrations are fine. As is the writing by Maureen Fergus.

TRUE CONFESSION: I'VE NEVER SEEN THE APPEAL OF VAMPIRES FOR FICTION, MOVIES, ETC.

And yet I live. And love. And laugh and be happy.

Would this book change my mind? I was kinda hoping it would. With one quick click onto Google I found articles like:

* "42 Best Vampire Books That Aren't 'Twilight' Or 'Dracula'"

* "16 Essential Vampire Books (Novels, Comics, & Manga)"

* And Oprah's contribution to spreading the fad: "The Best Vampire Books to Read, Besides Twilight"

ADDITIONAL CONFESSION

This book didn't convince me to find vampires cute or entertaining or remotely interesting. Still, I'll give it five stars because this story might be the best little vampire picture book in all the world. It just wasn't for me.

[Barbara]

While most readers wouldn't associate an ageless vampire with ice hockey, the idea works pretty well in this picture book. Vlad has become bored with his life and searches for some hobbies to stave off his boredom. Although he tries several different pastimes, nothing seems to hold his interest until he learns about ice hockey. After reading up about it and purchasing the right equipment, he's sure that he's ready to go. But as it turns out, the sport is much more challenging than Vlad had ever imagined. He can't do anything right. But with hard work and support from his teammates, he improves, and even though the team is trounced in its match, Vlad has found a place where he belongs even if it is unlikely. The positive message about belonging, a strong work ethic and friendship is supported through the illustrations, created with pencil, paper, and Photoshop techniques. Teachers might want to share this title as an example of persistence, especially as the Halloween season approaches.

[Lynn]

Vlad is bored and it is no wonder! After 800 years it was time for a new hobby but what is the right fit for a diversion-seeking vampire? Hockey of course! Despite Vlad's enthusiasm, this sport turns out to be a lot harder than he imagined and his powers just didn't seem to work. If he was going to succeed he was going to have to do it the hard way! Vlad does just that - he works hard and his teammates rally around too.

The reward may not be victory on the scoreboard but Vlad discovers friendship and team work are the best pay off.

Maureen Fergus and illustrator Mark Fearing team up here with a goofy but sweet story that won my heart. Fearing's pen, pencil and digital illustrations are hilarious and filled with smile-generating details. Pint-sized hockey fans will love this but so will every kid who likes to laugh.

[Lisa]

Vlad the Vampire is bored with his regular routine, so he heads t the community center for some activity, Hockey offers pounding, crushing and destroying, so Vlad signs up. But studying up and watching Hockey is different than getting on the ice himself.

A great story about practicing hard and teamwork. The illustrations are really cute (Vlad's team is all little kids) and while it doesn't address the scary vampire elements, immortality and lots of gold play a big part. I really liked this, a cute sports book with a darling comic angle.

Cross posted to https://kissthebookjr.blogspot.com/20...

[Alison N]

You may never have thought that vampires and hockey would go together, but here we have Vlad trying something new after centuries of the same old thing. As this adorable story illustrates, a little hard work on something you love goes a long way, even when you're a vampire.

[Heather Lee]

In my opinion, you can not go wrong with a book about vampires playing hockey. The concept itself is a winner. Then add in some nice SEL and hilarious situations and you've got a book you can really sink our teeth into. (Sorry.) The illustrations fit perfectly.

[Alex Olson]

Glory on Ice was an energetic story and I thought it was cute, it showed how determination, practice, and passion can turn into a dream into something real. The illustrations also flowed nicely and were bold and made the story more fun to follow.

[Tara Luebbe]

This is a hilarious take on a vampire learning to play hockey. The jokes were spot on and the use of irony perfect. I love this author's work and this was another winner for me.

[Lisa D]

Loved it! What cute book!

[Annese]

You had my attention from "vampire hockey story!"

[Christine]

Adorable!! This book is perfect for the hockey fan in your life. Funny and cute with a subtle lesson thrown in. Kids will love it!

[Theresa Rose]

Cute story about teamwork and friendship.

[Pinky]

Vlad joins a local community centers hockey team after trying out other things at the center.

[A.]

A terrific read-aloud for social emotional learning conversations around growth mindset! And it's about a hockey playing vampire, so it's just plain funny.

[Alice]

Funny, vampire, hockey, acceptance, perseverance

[Brandon Khan]

3.75

[Bethe]

Reading this one by firelight during power outage for my hockey fix since Dallas Stars game got postponed. Cute story of dedication to new hobby and teammates - love the team pic at the end!

[Syntha Green]

Practically perfect and funny

[Nichole]

Cute and funny picture book about perseverance, practice, and passion.

[Kelly]

A fun take on boredom, perseverance, and being part of a team!

[Susie]

Cute illustrations, and some clever adaptations for having a vampire as the new player. My favorite part was when he was aghast at the locker room smell.

[Rebecca Gomez]

This book has a clever premise and some humorous moments, but the writing is a bit dry and full of “telling” rather than showing.

[kim]

cute

[Christine]

I picked this one up through inter-library loan because the illustrator is a high-school classmate of mine.

Vlad the Vampire decides to take up ice hockey. He may not be very good, but his teammates are always there to pick him up (literally AND figuratively!)

4/5 stars.

[Jeremy]

Basically an episode of "What We Do in the Shadows" for kids.

[Claire Bailey]

Super cute story about calf the vampire who starts a new sport but he isn’t as good as he thought at the start but with practice learns. The book shows how things can take time to learn

[Charlotte]

This is a very cute and fun book with pretty simple structure and storyline, I think it would be perfect for a classroom library or a brain break read aloud.

[Maris Johnson]

-dealing with boredom
- the newest and “best” things doesn’t make you better
- practicing something is what makes you better

[Lindsay Lovejoy]

It would be a fun read for upper elementary kids because of how much words there was. I would have liked it to have a broader message, but other than that it was great.