We are always on the lookout for a fun Canadian book and Hockey in the Wild fits the bill perfectly!

There’s nothing worse than a lake that isn’t frozen when all you want to do is skate and play hockey! Bear, Beaver and Moose can’t wait until winter so they can get out on the ice for a great game. When the lake finally freezes over, they lace up their skates and head out onto the ice. Much to their disappointment, it’s not ready yet! They try to be patient but it’s so difficult! Will they ever get to play hockey again?

This book is full of giggles and laugh-out-loud moments. With a charming trio of friends and one of Canada’s national obsessions, it’s a recipe for fun. The illustrations are so enthusiastic and carry the reader through the story.

Hockey in the Wild is part of the “Life in the Wild” series by Nicholas Oldland. I can’t wait to track down the other books, especially Up the Creek – three animals in a canoe… what could go wrong?

Thank you to KidsCanPress and NetGalley for this fun book!

A great story for kids about the excitement of hockey season. From planning to play at the first signs of frost, kids can follow along with moose, bear, and beaver as they get in shape and ready for the season. Underlying themes of ice safety add to this fun tale.

Hockey in the Wild by Nicholas Oldland. Why don’t they tell you this book is not compatible on Kindle? I really wanted to read and review my grandson loves hockey. Hockey in the Wild 😜 is an absolutely wonderful book. My 3 grandson I know would love it and probably would be able able to read it themselves with just a little help. Thankyou Netgalley for adding the new app so I could review it.

Beware of Thin Ice and Inactivity

This is the story of three hockey-loving animals: a bear, a moose, and a beaver. They are so hoping to play hockey that they first try to skate on a lake where the ice isn't quite thick enough. After two failed attempts, they attempt to wait for the right time. They essentially get a little lazy, engaging in things like competitive napping (which had a humorous little side bit) and karaoke. Because they have slacked off, when the ice is ready for them, they are not ready for the ice. So they have to get into shape. Once they do, all is right in their hockey-loving world. I thought the illustrations in this book were a bit too simplistic. It's almost as if these were solid-colored paper cutouts made 2D. The beaver’s long teeth looked like long white pants or shorts coming out of his mouth! But I think if you have any young hockey lovers in your life, she or he will most likely enjoy this book.

I love these super Canadian books! This was a super fun read with adorable illustrations. The scenes were described well and in a way that would engage many young readers who are interested in winter, hockey, and animals having a great time!

The illustrations in this picture book are hilarious. I love how beaver, moose, and bear are drawn. I also like that they learn from their bad decisions, and make better choices going forward.
"I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own."

"Hockey in the Wild" is a wonderful little story! Unique illustrations and clever wintery story about animals attempting a friendly game of hockey.

My nine year old, animal loving son absolutely loved this book! He especially loved All of the colorful pictures.

What a sight. A beaver, moose, and bear playing hockey. It made me a fan for sure. It is not just going out on the lake to play, everything has to be just right. You have to prepare. Beaver is ready and gets his friends ready too. The lake is not quite frozen but there are other things you can do while you wait. Competitive napping to name one. These three are a hoot.

The illustrations are funny. If your little one has a tickle bone, they will be rolling and this book will be a favorite.

A Special Thank you to Kids Can Press and Netgalley for the ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review

Hockey in the Wild
By: Nicholas Oldland
4.0 / 5.0

This was a very enjoyable picture book to read. There wasn’t an overall message to take away from the reading, but it was still very enjoyable. It is a kid friendly, hockey lover picture book. The parents would enjoy some of the jokes in the story. It is great for bedtime, but might make your child want to go out and play hockey. The only thing I can see this picture book being used for in a classroom setting is to show how ice is formed and even that is a stretch. It is more just to show that when it gets cold, ice can form. It is still a book I would recommend to customers at the bookstore I work at even though there isn’t an overall message.


Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Hockey-Wild-Life-Nicholas-Oldland/dp/1525302418/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=hockey+in+the+wild+nicholas&qid=1591302342&sr=8-2

Barnes and Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/hockey-in-the-wild-nicholas-oldland/1135984984?ean=9781525302411

This review will appear on my blog on August 25, 2020.

This story is okay. I find the way the author writes about the characters distracting, "the moose, the bear, the beaver," as if they were the only ones of their kind. I did like that it showed the animals getting ready for their hockey season by exercising and eating well--both good lessons. This one falls a little short for me.

Working in a school, in a city with an NHL team (and perhaps being a major fan), I will definitely purchase this book for the school library. I have a dual language library and would also purchase it in Mandarin. Great story that follows the tried and true characters of the woodland critters. Thanks to NetGalley and publisher for the ARC.

Since discovering this series several years ago I have become a great fan of the three animals, Beaver, Moose and Bear and their various adventures. This time they are eagerly awaiting the depth of winter when the lake freezes over and they can play ice hockey. It is a lovely story of friendship and coping with situations where you just have to wait. There is a special resonance at the moment, as we wait to be allowed to go out again, but it does teach the young readers that their patience will be rewarded. A super series for the younger child.

A fun story about a moose, beaver and bear who wants to play ice hockey. As Winter starts, they are waiting for the river to freeze completely. The illustrations are fun and good.

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the eARC.

What is not to love about this book! Thanks for the ARC! Proper review coming soon. Children will love the fun illustrations and the story too.

My children and I loved this book. We are a hockey family and there is a huge lack of exposure on the greatest sport on earth. My husband grew up playing pond hockey so this was a great piece of nostalgia. The animals were well illustrated and funny. I am sure I will buy this as a gift in the future. Thank you to NetGalley for the advanced reader copy.

Okay this is adorable. A little concerned that the beaver didn’t leave the house already in his swimwear but OKAY! This book, accompanied by adorable illustrations, tells the story of a group of animals who want to play a game of ice hockey (thankfully the characters are animals and not humans, because early on I forgot this fact and may have gasped quite loudly- how embarrassing). The book educates children about seasons, changes in weather, water and sport safety and the importance of being fit and healthy. I loved every page and children in particular who follow Ice Hockey will love this!

My sincerest thanks to Netgalley and Kids Can Press for a copy of this book in exchange for my review.

5/5 stars

Reading Hockey in the Wild is like joining in on the fun with old friends the Beaver, the Moose, and the Bear…I’m pretty sure I’ve read all the other books in this series. Each or all of these three friends always seem to get into a bit of trouble while looking for a shortcut, or trying to be more adventurous, or competing with one another (my favorite). In this book the three buddies are determined to start playing ice hockey the moment the lake freezes over – but the ice isn’t thick enough or strong enough. After several failed attempts the three decide to wait for the lake to freeze over. While waiting they hang out together and have fun eating, sleeping and singing karaoke. Finally, the temperature is low enough but they are out of shape! Next comes a regimen of healthy eating and exercise and finally before they take the leap – they look! Once they run all their tests to see that the ice is ready, they play and play and play…..
Thank you NetGalley and Kids Can Press for this free ARC in return for my honest review.

This is an incredibly basic story about three friends waiting for the ice to become thick enough to play ice-hockey. That's it. No more, no less. Basic. However, it's kinda fun - especially if you like ice-hockey or have a kid who does. It certainly makes the point not to skate on the ice until it is sufficiently frozen if nothing else! And the illustrations are sweet.

I requested and received an e-ARC of this book from NetGalley and Kids Can Press in exchange for my honest review.

Being Canadian, I of course love hockey! I didn’t grow up near water so we waited for the first cold snap so we could skate on our friend’s backyard rink. This book was really fun and reminded me of my childhood and the anticipation of the first snow and frozen water.

I love how safe the animals were the second time they tested the ice (first time, not so much) and I also love how excited they were when they finally got to play hockey. Just a fun book about friends wanting to play their favorite sport.