Best Hockey Book Recommendations for Kids To Read
Hockey isn't just a sport; it's a passion that transcends the rink, capturing the hearts of kids everywhere. For young fans eager to dive into the world of slapshots, hat tricks, and heart-stopping saves, there's no better way to ignite their love for the game than through books. Whether they dream of scoring the winning goal or just want to feel the rush of the ice, these 35 best hockey book options for kids promise to inspire, entertain, and educate.
List of 35 Ice Hockey Books for Kids
Gifting or using hockey-themed books for kids can be a fantastic way to foster their love for reading and the sport itself. Whether you are cheering on the home team or traveling on a road trip to play with your team, here are some best book options for hockey lovers and players. These books are a game changer even for the most hesitant readers. Here's how you can make the most of these books:
Gift Ideas:
Occasions: Consider gifting these books for birthdays, holidays like Christmas or Hanukkah, special achievements, or simply as a surprise to encourage reading. Hockey lovers or teammates will love any of these great book options.
Gift Bundles: Create a themed gift basket with a couple of hockey books, a small toy hockey stick or puck, and perhaps a jersey or a hat of their favorite team. Any fan of hockey will love a gift bundled tailored to their favorite sport or team!
Personalization: For a special touch, personalize the book with the child's name, especially if it's a storybook where the protagonist shares the same name.
Educational Kits: Pair a hockey book with educational materials such as a guide to understanding the rules of the game, a mini history book about hockey, or a beginner's guide to playing hockey.
Using Hockey Books for Kids:
Reading Time: Set aside designated reading times where the child can enjoy these books, either with a parent, sibling, or independently.
Interactive Sessions: Engage the child in discussions about the story, characters, or themes after they've finished reading. This can enhance their comprehension and critical thinking skills.
Incorporate into Play: Use the book themes to inspire play activities. Create mini hockey games in the backyard or living room, act out scenes from the books, or have a storytelling session where the child narrates their own hockey adventure.
Learning Opportunities: For educational books, encourage the child to explore the concepts or historical facts mentioned in the books. Look up additional information online or through other resources to deepen their understanding about topics like various Professional Hockey Player, Stanley Cup, or the Hockey Hall of Fame.
Encourage Creativity: Prompt the child to create their own stories or drawings inspired by the books. This can be through writing their hockey-themed short story or drawing their favorite scene from the book.
Family Bonding: Reading together can strengthen family bonds. Consider reading the books as a family activity, taking turns reading aloud or discussing the stories.
Explore Series: If a child enjoys a particular book, explore other books in the series or by the same author to keep their interest in reading about hockey alive.
By integrating these books into various aspects of the child's life, you not only encourage their interest in reading but also deepen their passion for hockey, fostering imagination, knowledge, and a love for the sport.
Best Hockey Book Recommendations for Kids To Read
"The Hockey Sweater" by Roch Carrier A classic Canadian tale about a boy who receives a Toronto Maple Leafs jersey instead of a Montreal Canadiens sweater of the favorite hockey legend Maurice Richard.
"Z is for Zamboni: A Hockey Alphabet" by Matt Napier An educational and fun journey through hockey, covering everything from equipment to famous players, A to Z. Highlighting rules, players, coaches, teams, and the history of the game, it is both fun and educational.
Lets Play Hockey! A Lift-a-Flap Board Book by Ginger Swift Introduce your little one to the great sport of soccer in this lively, interactive Lift-a-Flap board book. Learn all about basic game rules, team uniforms, safety equipment, practice drills, and good sportsmanship. Babies and toddlers will love exploring every playful scene.
"Hockey Morning Noon and Night" by Doretta Groenendyk Follow a young boy as he plays hockey throughout his day, showcasing the sport's universal appeal. This colourful picture book is based on the author's seven-year-old son and his capacity to incorporate hockey into all that he does: eating, drawing, music, visits with friends, sleeping and stories.
"The Puck Hog" by Christie Casciano A humorous story about a hockey player learning the importance of teamwork. Sophia’s team wants to be the best in the league, but their biggest challenge is not an opposing team, it's Eddie, their puck-hogging teammate. Will a pivotal moment on the ice and a trip to a Syracuse Crunch game convince Eddie to change his ways?
"Hockey Hero" by Zachary Hyman This story follows a young hockey player pursuing his dreams against all odds. A heart-warming, intergenerational story about an awkward young boy who finds his hockey chutzpah at a PeeWee tournament. Tommy goes from timid observer to essential player - as we readers cheer him on!
"Hat Trick" by WC Mack - JT McDonald is the smallest guy on the team ― but he's not letting that interfere with his plans to rule the rink this hockey season. His blades are sharp, his focus is strong and he is determined to play against the biggest team in the league, no matter what his coach says. That is until a new player joins the team ― a giant new player named Eddie Bosko ― and he's a right winger too, just like JT.
"Face-Off: Top 10 Lists of Everything in Hockey" by The Hockey News - The fourth book in the best-selling Sports Illustrated Kids Top 10 series, Face-Off: Top 10 Lists of Everything in Hockey, ranks the best players, shooters, slap shots, and toothless smiles in the NHL. With over 150 different players and teams ranked in more than 15 different categories, this fun look at the greatest aspects of the NHL will serve as the ultimate argument-ender (or debate-starter!) for young hockey fans.
"The Greatest Goal" by Mike Leonetti - It's the start of a new school year, and ten-year-old Paul is just starting to play hockey on a team. More than anything else, he loves to practice his shots in the driveway with his Dad. But soon after school begins, Paul's Dad gets a promotion at work and he no longer has time to play with Paul. Luckily, they can still have fun together watching the most exciting hockey ever - the showdown between Team Canada and the Soviet Union for the title of best hockey team in the world
"The Magic Hockey Stick" by Peter Maloney and Felicia Zekauskas - Inspired by a real event, this is the fictional tale of a little girlwhose parents win Wayne Gretzky's hockey stick at an auction. When thechild begins to play with it, she becomes her team's star. Meanwhile,"The Great One" goes into the greatest slump of his career. Realizing he needs the stick more than she does, the girl returns it to him, andGretzky gets over his thousand-goal hump.
"Goodnight Hockey" by Michael Dahl A bedtime story that introduces young readers to the exciting world of hockey. Goodnight Hockey is the perfect bedtime board book for every hockey fan! The rhyming text, exciting illustrations, and classic sport combination are a hat-trick of fun for the whole family.
"The Hockey Card" by Jack Siemiatycki and Avi Slodovnick - A story about an unlikely friendship, teamwork, and the value of a special hockey card. Jack puts his hockey cards on the line! Will his prized Maurice Richard card be enough to save the day? A touching story of a boy's love for hockey, the handing down of sports traditions, and a tribute to one of the game's greatest players.
"Hockey Night Tonight!" by Stompin' Tom Connors A playful, rhyming book celebrating the excitement of a hockey night.
The Zach & Zoe Mysteries: The Hockey Rink Hunt by Mike Lupica - When eight year old twins Zach and Zoe findout they'll be joining their dad at the Boston Bruins hockey practice, they can't believe their luck. But upon arrival, the Bruins' star player tells the twins he lost his lucky necklace right before the Stanley Cup final, and just like that, the mystery is on. The twins' search takes them all over the arena, and even onto the ice. Will Zach and Zoe find the missing necklace in time for the big game?
Lucy Tries Hockey by Lisa Bowes - Lucy and her family are skating on an outdoor rink when she sees a game of hockey going on. It looks like fun, but maybe too challenging. Supported by her parents, Lucy enrolls in an introductory hockey clinic, and thanks to an encouraging instructor, she and her friends learn basic hockey skills, have fun on the ice and decide to add hockey to their list of favorite sports!
The Golden Goal by Meg Braithwaite - Team Canada is facing the United States in a must-win game at the Vancouver Olympics. The score is 2-1 for Canada, and then disaster strikes—with only 24 seconds left in the game, the US scores. The game is tied and goes into overtime. The team that scores the next goal will win the Olympic gold medal.
Face Off! by Jake Maddox - Kyle wants to be a great hockey player just like his older brother, but to do that, he must focus all of his energy on the game and not be distracted by a teammate's injury.
Dino Hockey by Lisa Wheeler - In a hockey match unrivaled in prehistory, the Meat-Eaters take on the Veggiesaurs. Fans go wild in the stands as T. Rex and Triceratops face off, and the game is off to a rip-roaring start.
CJ Slinger, Left Winger by K.A. Robertson- C.J. Slinger, Left Winger engages kids with a fun story about ice hockey. C.J. is new to the hockey team, and he's still learning the rules. When half the team gets the pukes, he has to play his first game. Is he ready?
Little Hockey Board Book - "Round and black--do you know its name? You need this disk to play the game." Answer: Puck. Now even the smallest of fans can enjoy a book about their favorite sport. Rhyming riddles accompanied by colorful artwork help introduce the game's simplest, most basic elements.
It’s Hockey Time, Franklin!by Jason Cooper - When Franklin accepts Charlie Brown’s invitation to play hockey at the pond, the ace player doesn’t get the carefree afternoon he expects. First Peppermint Patty refuses to share the ice. Then a rival group of kids try to claim the pond for themselves.
Hockey in the Wild by Nicholas Oldland - 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.
Slap Shot! by David Sabino - It’s game day, and readers of Slap Shot are given a rink-side view of the passes and goals that make up an ice hockey game. Along the way, they’ll get to know all about the history of hockey dating all the way back to Canada in the 1800s!
A special section in the back of the book is chock-full of even more facts about the game and its storied history and players. It is custom-made for the fan who loves all things ice hockey!Score! My First Hockey Game by Tanner Ryan - This fun, informative, and action-packed illustrated sports book for toddlers features the game of the year: the Penguins vs. the Otters! Each spread introduces hockey terms, gear, players, and referees within the context of the story of a 3-period game between all-animal teams. Read along as the two teams face off, flick the puck across the ice, check each other (safely!) and even get penalties. Who’s going to win? It will all be decided by a last-minute power play!
Bobby Orr and the Hand Me-Down Skates by Kara Koostra - Bobby eats, sleeps and breathes hockey. So when his birthday is coming up, he only wants one thing: new skates. He's seen the exact pair he wants in the shop window: sparkling blades, shiny leather, clean new laces tied in perfect bows. But when Bobby opens his gift, he's dismayed to find hand-me-down skates: scuffed leather, nicked blades, floppy laces.
Hockey Wars by Sam Lawrence - An old friendship is pushed to its limits as Millie and Cameron face off against each other in a grudge match to finally see who’s got the best hockey team in Dakota. Millie and Cameron grew up as close as any two friends could be, playing together on the same hockey team and hanging out together after school. However, when the hockey team was split between boys and girls, their friendship began to change, and not for the better.
Whether they dream of being the next NHL superstar or simply love the thrill of the game, there's a treasure trove of gifts waiting to make their hockey experience even more exciting for any special occasion. From gear that's both practical and fun to items that celebrate their love for the game, here's a comprehensive list of fantastic hockey gifts and great stocking stuffers for kids and hockey sports fans.
These books cater to various age groups and cover a wide range of themes related to hockey, from stories of perseverance and teamwork to the history and excitement of the sport. Enjoy diving into the world of hockey through these captivating reads!
