Why this book?
I was excited to see
this book at my local library. It’s a perfect way to introduce kids to hockey –
as well as the idea of practicing to get better. The big, bold digital –style
illustrations are full of action. I also appreciated the diversity in the kids
depicted on Lucy’s team. This book is part of a series, where Lucy tries other
sports—soccer, luge, short track, basketball and baseball. Some of them are
also available in French and Spanish.
My thoughts as a
creator:
It’s great to see a picture book that focus on a girl learning to play
sports. I love the added layers in this story about not being afraid to try and
practicing. This story is also told in rhyme, which adds another dimension to
the story. I’m looking forward to reading the other books in the series.
My thoughts as an
educator:
I love the idea of reading books that show case different sports. This
series would be great to read during an Olympic year, as well as anytime to
promote active living. The story contains a lot of hockey vocabulary that I
discussed with my students.
Ages: 4 - 7
Grades: K - 3
Connections: hockey, rhyming,
practicing sports
Activities:
Active Play: Check out this link from Hands On As We Grow for a fun way to play “indoor hockey” with tape and bean bag that could be
adapted for playing on a table or area in the classroom.
Literacy: Draw a picture of your favourite sport or a sport you might like to try one day.
Literacy: Which sport do you
think Lucy should try next? Write your own “Lucy Tries” story about your
favourite sport!
STEM: Can you design a hockey stick? Provide
materials for designing such as straws, popsicle sticks, cardboard, and tape.
With a water bottle lid or other small object for a puck, students can test
their hockey sticks on a table top to see which designs work best. Another
challenge might be to try playing on different surfaces (e.g., carpet, table top,
frozen slab of ice) to see what happens!
More resources:
Find out more about
Lisa Bowes and her book Lucy Tries Basketball:
https://blog.orcabook.com/author-feature-lisa-bowes-2/
Read an article about
Lisa Bowes and her series from Collingwood Today:
More information about the series from Orca Books:
Created by veteran sports journalist Lisa Bowes, the Lucy Tries Sports series aims to promote inclusive physical literacy and encourage young readers to get involved in sports. Endorsed by elite athletes, the series focuses on participation and the importance of play.
The books follow Lucy and her friends as they learn introductory skills in a variety of exciting sports, guided by coaches and teachers. Lucy's eagerness to try new things will inspire all children to get outside and play.
The Lucy Tries Sports series reinforces the HIGH FIVE principles of healthy child development needed for quality programs, including the support of a caring adult, the opportunity to participate, to play, to make friends and to master skills.
Description from the
publisher:
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!
Lucy Tries Hockey is also
available in French: Lucy joue au hockey
Lucy Tries Hockey by Lisa Bowes and illustrated by James Hearne was published by Orca Books in 2018.
For more wonderful picture books, visit Perfect Picture Book Friday at Susanna Leonard Hill's website.
