The Hockey Sweater, Anniversary Edition

A young Montreal boy must endure the indignity of wearing a Toronto Maple Leafs hockey sweater in this modern classic of Canadian children's literature. When his red, white and blue sweater - the uniform of the Montreal Canadiens, worn by his idol, Maurice Richard - becomes too small for him, the narrator's mother sends away for a new one from the Eaton's catalogue. When the wrong sweater arrives, the boy insists he will not wear it: all of his peers wear the Canadiens sweater, and so will he! His mother has other ideas however, and he finds himself wearing it after all. This leads to trouble at his first game thereafter, and a visit to church...

Originally published in French as "Une abominable feuille d'érable sur la glace" (literally: "An abominable maple leaf on the ice"), The Hockey Sweater was first translated into English in 1979 as part of the collection, The Hockey Sweater and Other Stories. It was made into a short film in 1980 ("The Sweater"), and presented in this picture-book form in 1984, with artwork by Sheldon Cohen, who also illustrated Carrier's The Flying Canoe. Set in 1946, the story is immensely engaging, and absolutely hilarious. I chuckled aloud on more than one occasion, while reading it. Carrier captures the centrality of ice hockey to the narrator's life (apparently the story is partially autobiographical) and to Canadian culture, and his narrative feels like it is told from an authentic boy's perspective. Cohen's artwork is colorful and show more entertaining, capturing the humor of the tale quite nicely. I enjoyed this so much that I think I will track down the larger collection of Carrier's stories, mentioned above. Recommended to anyone looking for children's stories featuring ice hockey and/or a French-Canadian cultural setting. show less

I still have enough little-kid primitive left-nationalism in me to warm in kneejerk fashion to this nexus of oldtimey hockey (Rocket Richard!), Canadian official culture (the CBC!) and the struggle for self-determination of our solitary-and-notionally equal cousins québecois (the Eaton's man sends him a Maple Leafs sweater instead of a Canadiens sweater and his mom makes him wear it! Tabernack!). Carrier and Cohen know their craft and this is a pleasant and sentimental tale, but what really struck me was how the hockey stuff seemed almost as atavistic as the pre–Quiet Revolution priest-ridden Québec stuff. I'm no hockey fan, but our country really is changing and losing its soul in some ways and god I hope the new nexus is not merely that between extractive industries and the TPP and a weak Canadian dollar.

A quirky book about life in a small Quebecois town. Child Canadiens fans, the wrong (Maple Leafs) sweater, and a final page in which the protagonist prays to God to send moths to eat the titular sweater add up to a very strange package.

I was delighted to find out that I had been chosen as a lucky recipient to this great Canadian classic. In fact, the whole family rushed to grab the book and watch the movie. It was an opportunity for the adults to reconnect and the children to discover this classic. I realised that I had completely forgotten the ending: rather curt yet so perfect in the childish hope that the sweater would disappear.
The illustrations are fantastic. I love that there is a mix of English and French so that the reader doesn't lose sight of the fact that this was a typical French-Canadian environment - yet a quintessential Canadian experience regardless of language.
I was rather disappointed that the French version wasn't available on the DVD: what a perfect way to initiate Anglophones to the original story and to compare Carrier's narrations.

I usually give away my books, but this one will stay on our shelves for many readings to come.

I can't tell you how happy I was to receive the 30th anniversary edition of The Hockey Sweater, a favourite book and a fabulous animated film. This edition not only contains the story with the superb illustrations by Sheldon Cohen but also describes how it all came to be, and explains just why this book is so revered in Canada. To include a DVD of the film was a much appreciated bonus.

Its importance in Canadian culture is portrayed in the commendations by luminaries from politicians, writers, illustrators, athletes, to journalists. And, in a very Canadian way, from 2001 to 2012, when an illustration and the first few lines of the story were reproduced on the five-dollar bill. Note too that the ubiquitous Eaton's catalogue, now sadly extinct, was not only used as a source of sweaters but when stuffed inside socks became excellent shin protectors.

I always wanted my own copy of this book, and this edition is a real jewel.

With every boy in a small Quebec town wearing the sweater of the Montreal Canadiens to play hockey, a child, named Roch, is horrified when, because of a mail order mix-up, he is forced to wear a Toronto Maple Leafs sweater. When he shows up at a game, he is forced to sit out with no playing time, and told to go pray to God. His prayer is to have the Toronto Maple Leaf sweater eaten by moths.

This beautiful book came with the DVD of the National Film Board of Canada of the animated film. Both book and film are not very long but they evoke memories of the days when the Montreal Canadiens were the best hockey team in the 6 city league. Carrier uses a childhood memory to create the long gone world of a small town in Quebec in the late 1940's. Carrier said that the most important things were the Church and the skating rink, and the idolization of the great Maurice Richard who played for the Canadiens. Every boy knew all about the statistics and listened to the hockey games broadcast on the radio. At the skating rink, every boy wore the jersey of the Montreal Canadiens. The story shows what happens when Roch as a growing boy needs a new hockey jersey. His mother orders a new one from the Eaton's mail order catalogue. ( Eaton's-a long gone Canadian department store empire with stores and a famous catalogue) Unfortunately, the wrong jersey arrives- that of the hated Toronto Maple Leaf team. Roch is forced to wear it and suffers the consequences. That is the story- the settings and dialogue were illustrated by Sheldon Cohen for the book as well as the short animated film. This book has more- information on the history of making the film, the references and tributes by many prominent Canadian politicians ( including the present Prime Minister) writers, sports figures and a former goalie and member of parliament- Ken Dryden. This book was also taken by a Canadian show more astronaut to the International Space Station. This edition is more than one for children- it is an exploration of a past life in Canada. show less

When a book is endorsed by the Prime Minster and the leader of the opposition you know it must have wide appeal! This 30th anniversary edition of The Hockey Sweater includes the NFB DVD as well. I hadn't read this book before so it was a surprise to me what a Canadian classic it is. I was touched by the young Roch Carrier's love of hockey and his horror at the accidental receipt of the enemy team's jersey. Anyone who grew up around hockey, especially in small town Canada, will find their thoughts returning to their own childhood. I have two daughters so I was also glad to see quotes from two of Canada's female Olympic hockey champions.

(Nonfiction, Children's Picture book)

The warm and wonderful book The Hockey Sweater all started with a short story called “Une abominable feuille d’érable sur la glace” (An abominable maple leaf on the ice) that was included in a collection published by House of Anansi Press in the late 1970s. The author, Roch Carrier was inspired to write the story when he was asked by the CBC to talk about Quebec and the difference at the time between French-speaking and English-speaking Canada. He drew on an actual childhood experience of his.

When Roch read the story on the air, a producer from the National Film Board of Canada heard it and had the idea of making a short film of the story. The 10-minute film, brilliantly animated by Sheldon Cohen and lovingly narrated by Carrier, was a success, has won many awards and is much loved by fans (including me).

After the film was released, Sheldon contacted a publisher who, unknown to Sheldon, had wanted to make a book of the story since she had heard it on the radio. The same story that was used in the film is used in the book, but animation and illustration work differently, so Sheldon had to think differently about the art for the book. I think you will agree that his work is brilliant.

The boys in Roch’s village wanted to play hockey like their hero Maurice Richard and, of course, wear the jersey of the Montreal Canadiens hockey team, for which Richard played. When a mistake was made and Roch ends up with a new hockey sweater with show more the emblem of the rival team, the Toronto Maple Leafs—well . . . that’s a story.

In ten minutes, Roch and Sheldon create the village of Ste. Justine, Quebec in a mid-twentieth century winter. For years, the opening lines “The winters of my childhood were long, long seasons. We lived in three places—the school, the church and the skating rink—but our real life was on the skating rink” were printed (in both French and English, of course) on the back of the Canadian five dollar bill, along with an image of children playing hockey.

the hockey sweater photo hockey sweater_zpseggrbjzl.jpgThis 30th anniversary edition of The Sweater contains the story and illustrations, and much more. There is a history of the story, bonus illustrations by Sheldon, photos, comments from book tours and from the who’s who of Canadian culture, a short essay by Ken Dryden about the NHL in the 1940s, and many other treats including a DVD of the film.

If you’ve never seen the film, I suggest you watch it if you can find it. If you’re Canadian and you haven’t read the story, you owe it to yourself to get this book—beg, buy, borrow—whatever it takes to get a copy.

This is truly a Canadian classic and one of my favourite books of all time.

5 plus stars show less

With this 30th anniversary edition of The Hockey Sweater, not only do we get the wonderful classic story itself by Roch Carrier, but we get some interesting back story from the author, words of praise from athletes, writers, broadcasters, politicians and even an explanation of that once ubiquitous Eaton's catalogue. The only thing that would have made the book better would be if it was in both of Canada's official languages, especially since Carrier's original version was in French. Included is an animated DVD narrated by Roch Carrier.

With the story, the introduction, the "testimonials", and the book's history all combined in one book, this seemingly children's book is suitable for children of all ages. It is definitively Canadian and speaks to our heritage, pride, and identity. A lovely keepsake for anyone who loves this story, loves hockey, and/or loves Canada.

This story is wonderful. I love how it discusses many things typical in Canada, which is in stark contrast to living here in the desert.

Absolutely beautiful book....the illustrations really add to the story. And the story touches so many Canadian traditions and memories. Perfect.

Best children book on the Canadian national past time of Canada: HOCKEY. Also highlight the two solidutes of French Quebec and English Canada in 1940's. Written by former National Librarian, Roch Carrier

I remember reading this (and other stories about Maurice Richard) as a kid and it's nice to have a new version on my shelf, to read to my kids one day.

There is a lot of nice extra content with this 30th anniversary edition, including messages from the Prime Minister, Liberal leader Justin Trudeau, and former Habs goalie Ken Dryden, as well as the DVD, which was a pleasant surprise when I cracked open the book.

It is a shame that the French version isn't included in the same tome, though.

What a lovely edition of this classic Canadian short story! Great illustrations and lots of add-ons including a DVD with the story animation. The dust cover is also really cool- take it off and it opens into a nice poster.
Thanks to Early Reviewers for sending it my way!

This is a beautiful edition of a Canadian classic. It's definitely a keepsake that, in addition to the original text, includes reflections on the impact of The Hockey Sweater from various notable Canadians. Also includes a DVD with the animated short. Will be gifting this holiday season.

Great book that introduces a lot of things more familiar in Canada that are not to me here in the desert.

Watching Carrier read the title story in English in the late 1970s in Vancouver was as exhilarating as reading it a few years later in French in Quebec.

Reviewed by Joan McGrath in School Library Journal v. 31 (March 1985) p. 164.
Found in HW Wilson Web. http://vnweb.hwwilsonweb.com.login.ezproxy.library.ualberta.ca/
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