• Age: 3 to 5
• Grade: p to k
• Reading age: 3 to 5

Danny and his friends, Anita, Petou and Marcel, are typical prairie youngsters—hockey mad. The four are always playing road hockey or involved in a game of shinny on the community rink. One day a town team, the Wolves, is formed. The friends are overjoyed, but when the time comes to choose the team, only Marcel is picked. The other three friends are not chosen; Anita is a girl, Petou is too small and Danny cannot skate. It is the biggest disappointment of Danny's life.
But near the end of the season, the regular goalie is injured and Danny is asked to replace him. If the Wolves can win the game, they will make the playoffs! This is Danny's chance to prove that even though he can't wear a pair of skates, he can still play the game.
The Moccasin Goalie is the first of three books in a series.
Book two is The Final Game
Book three is Victory at Paradise Hill

Author and illustrator William Roy Brownridge is a native of Saskatchewan. Like the hero of his Moccasin Goalie titles, Bill lived for hockey and played goal despite being unable to wear skates. In Victory at Paradise Hill, he once again demonstrates the unique artistic style, the flair for storytelling and the feel for prairie life that made the first two volumes perennial favorites. After a successful career as a graphic designer, Bill now devotes himself full time to painting.

 

William Roy Brownridge's profile page

"This book is highly recommended both for its positive message and for its joyous celebration of youthful pastimes."

"The pointillist technique used to depict ice and snow gives the pictures a scintillating, sparkling effect."

Canadian Children's Literature

"The art of William Brownridge charges the white small-town Prairie winter with the excitement and energy of a child's perception. The story captures both the pain and the glory for children involved in minor sports."

Regina Sun

"Brownridge's full-colour paintings...powerfully capture both the biting cold of prairie winters and the eye-dazzling brightness of the season's days."

"The combination of a warm, affirming story and fine illustration makes this a book for all collections serving young listeners and readers."

CM Magazine

"Makes a nice read-aloud book as well as a read-by-myself book for early readers. It contains beautiful, big, full-color illustrations that add feeling to this emotional story."

Christian Library Journal

"Although the story highlights hockey, it also deals with friendship, abilities and prejudice."

"There are never enough good hockey stories for young children. This is a welcome addition."

"The happiness of the friends and the feelings...are vividly portrayed."

Resource Links

"The illustrations are impressive."

"Children will sense [Brownridge's] love for hockey and his experiences as a 'moccasin goalie.'"

"Remember to stock this picture book for young hockey fans."

Canadian Bookseller

"Although it's a winter story, the direct language and zinging art 'score' with boys and girls all year-around."

Mosaic

"Brownridge's paintings of the wintry Canadian landscape feature bold dabs of paint applied in an impressionistic style to create a mosaic of blues, golds, and brilliant pinks...It's enough to make you put down your book, bundle up, and head out into the snow."

Hungry Mind Review