Family Literacy Page 2
Books for Children

The Hockey Sweater

By: Roch Carrier, translated by Sheila Fischman
Published by: Tundra Books
Available: At local bookstores or Tundra Books in Montreal
Price: $5.95 softcover (also available in hardcover)
Level: Functional
ISBN: 0-88776 176 3
Reviewed by: Sylvia Doherty (University College of the Cariboo) in the Literacy Materials Bulletin, No. 9, Spring 1994

The Hockey Sweater was first translated from the French in 1979 and published in a book of short stories by Roch Carrier. This more recent edition of the popular story began as an internationally acclaimed animated film in 1980 and became an instant classic when it was published in picture book form, four years later. The delightful story is set in small town Quebec in the 1940’s where young boys’ lives revolve around school, church and the skating rink. It is narrated in a straightforward first person voice and chronicles a disastrous boyhood episode wherein a Toronto Maple Leaf sweater is sent to a young Montreal Canadiens fan by mistake and he is forced to wear it.

The story appeals to all ages and has been used successfully in the classroom with both beginning and advanced students. The brilliantly coloured pictures are filled with action, emotion and details of the era. There is instant identification with this quintessential Canadian sports story, but many other themes present themselves: childhood, Quebec, Canadian culture, writing, church, changes between generations. One student’s children said, "The mother should be more concerned about her son’s feelings and not about the company. She paid money to get the sweater," which prompted a discussion about attitudes in ‘olden days’ versus now. A young male adult student said, "I would give this book four stars out of five. I like books about sports and people’s lives in other places." Another remarked, "My nephew liked the colourful pictures."