• Age: 3 to 7
• Grade: p to 2
• Reading age: 3 to 7

The lovable Life in the Wild trio can't wait to get out on the ice to play hockey. Except, well, they're going to have to!

It's wintertime, and the bear, the moose and the beaver can't wait for hockey season to start. They're so eager, in fact, they head out onto the ice before it's thick enough, and they all fall through. Twice. While they wait for the lake to freeze, they try to take their minds off hockey. There's competitive napping. Karaoke. Lots of comfort food. Until, at last, the day arrives when the ice is ready. But, after all that time not being active, are they ready?

Part of the bestselling Life in the Wild picture book series from Nicholas Oldland, this funny romp is, at its heart, a love letter to the sport of hockey and the joys of playing in the wild outdoors. Oldland's distinctive dry humor shines here, making this a fun read-aloud. But the hilarious visual story --- including the character's facial expressions and numerous asides --- mean children, even nonreaders, will also want to spend time with the pages on their own. Children who love hockey will appreciate the friends' devotion to the game and the difficulty of waiting for conditions to be just right, but every child who has had to wait for something (that is, every child) will relate to the situation. In this, the book offers some character education lessons on patience and perseverance. Separately, there are connections to healthy outdoor activity and winter safety.

Nicholas Oldland est le directeur artistique et l'un des propriétaires d'une entreprise de vêtements nommée Hatley. Ses motifs reconnus sont imprimés sur des pyjamas, des imperméables, des bottes de pluie et des chandails, tous signés Hatley. Aux Éditions Scholastic, il a écrit et illustré plusieurs albums dont L'ours qui aimait les arbres, L'orignal qui avait la frousse et Les amis qui ne pensaient qu'à gagner. Nicholas habite à Toronto.

Nicholas Oldland earned a degree in fine arts at Mount Allison University in New Brunswick, Canada, and enjoyed success as a commercial artist and filmmaker before taking up the role of creative director at Hatley, a popular apparel company. Big Bear Hugis his first picture book.

Nicholas Oldland's profile page

• Winner, Best Canadian Picture Books of 2020, CBC Books

... the tale of persistence, friendship, and devotion to sport with its understated humor and anthropomorphic north woods critters will charm readers ...

Kirkus Reviews

... a great book for hockey enthusiasts.

CM Magazine

An enjoyable winter story ... for young hockey fans or anyone who enjoys anthropomorphic animal antics.

School Library Journal