Hockey Superstars, 1997-1998

Dave Jenkinson is a professor in the Faculty of Education at the University of Manitoba and the author of the “Portraits” section of Emergency Librarian.

Hockey Superstars, 1997-1998 exhibits the same format found in TSN
broadcaster Paul Romanuk’s previous three “superstars” volumes.
There are 16 glossy, full-color photos (resembling oversized hockey
cards), each accompanied by a page of chatty prose and a box of
“tombstone” data. Arranged alphabetically from Daniel Alfredsson to
Doug Weight, the profiles (which include 12 forwards, two goalies, and
two defencemen), focus more on emerging stars like Jarome Iginla and
Saku Koivu than on old-timers like Wayne Gretzky and Chris Chelios.
Wrapped around the book’s poster section are two “Your Record
Keeper” sections, which invite readers to “fill-in-the-blanks.”

Skating Superstars II resembles Hockey Superstars in format. The
profiles are arranged alphabetically from the Canadian dance team of
Shae-Lynn Bourne and Victor Kraatz to America’s Kristi Yamaguchi. The
22 skaters profiled, mostly amateurs, represent five countries.

With their glossy appearance and undemanding text, both of these titles
would be especially attractive purchases for reluctant readers in Grade
3 and up. Recommended.