Skating Superstars

Christine Linge is a past director of the Toronto & District Parent
Co-operative Preschool Corporation and a freelance writer.

This excellent resource, for skating fans of all ages, is rich in hard
facts, inspirational quotations, and dynamic photographs. The author’s
one-page biographies go beyond a mere compendium of facts. Through
interviews with the stars and a personal understanding of the sport (her
dedication to “mothers ... who woke their skaters at four in the
morning and taxied them to and from the rink” speaks from the heart),
Gertridge creates short narratives that reveal the superstars’
personalities, as well as their achievements.

The 16 full-color, page-size photos have the featured athletes’
biographies on the reverse side of the page, enabling the dedicated fan
to maintain the book’s integrity when photos are removed to be used as
posters. Half of those featured are Canadian skating champions. The book
also includes information about the types of jumps (with drawings),
descriptions of events, judging criteria, and a brief history of figure
skating. The last page lists fan-mail addresses of all the stars. Any
blank spaces are filled with “did you know” facts highlighting
Canada’s rich skating tradition, or a few well-chosen words from the
athletes.

Although aimed at the juvenile skating fan, this book would also
inspire an athlete or enhance the viewing pleasure of the casual reader.
Highly recommended.