Thor

Lisa Arsenault is an elementary-school teacher in Ajax, Ontario.

All Thor wants to do is watch television. When he visits his
grandparents during the Christmas holidays, he regales them with stories
from the adventures of his favorite television heroes. Thor’s
grandfather, a fisherman on Lake Winnipeg, wants Thor to help with the
nets when his hired man is taken ill. Thor protests, because going out
will interfere with his television schedule, but goes and puts in a good
day’s work. As the two return home, they’re signaled by a
snowmobiler whose friend has fallen through the ice. Thor’s
grandfather is too heavy to cross the ice, so Thor must attempt a
rescue. Conquering his fear, Thor, like a superhero, saves the man from
drowning. Back at home he becomes so busy recounting his great adventure
that he never once mentions television.

A straightforward narrative style and clear, concise writing
distinguish this book. There is a lot of attention to practical detail,
as in a lengthy description, complete with technical terms, of
net-setting. This thoroughness might prove a little tedious for younger
readers, but the pace is picked up again after that digression. Thor’s
feelings, which run the gamut from irritation at being deprived of
television to pride of accomplishment in his successful rescue, are
nicely captured in Ange Zhang’s attractive illustrations. Recommended.