The Art of William Roy Brownridge

The Moccasin Goalie (Best Seller)
Available in Hard Cover ($19.95)

Review by Dave Jenkinson .

The Moccasin Goalie's adult narrator recalls a period during his childhood when he lived in the small prairie community of Willow. There he spent his winter free time playing hockey with his three best friends on the town's snow-covered streets and outdoor rink.

Because of a crippled leg and foot, he could not wear skates, but just tended goal in his moccasins, a practice that earned him the nickname "Moccasin Danny." When the community establishes the Wolves, a "real," uniformed hockey team, Danny is initially elated at the thought of becoming a Wolf, but his happiness is short lived as he and two of his friends don't get selected by Coach Matteau. But the situation changes when the Wolves' regular goalie gets hurt just before an important game and the coach -- with the league's permission -- recruits the non-skating Danny. Despite his nervousness, Danny makes enough saves to help the Wolves win. Coach Matteau asks Danny to become a permanent team member, and Danny agrees with the provision that his two previously rejected friends can become Wolves too.

Brownridge's full-colour paintings -- especially his double-page spreads -- powerfully capture both the biting cold of prairie winters and the eye-dazzling brightness of the season's days as rays from the low winter sun reflect off snow-covered land. A series of three consecutive double-page spreads focusing on the critical game dramatically freeze-frames the action. Only the presence of horse-drawn sleighs gently reminds contemporary readers of the book's period setting.
The combination of a warm, affirming story and fine illustration makes this a book for all collections serving young listeners and readers.
Highly recommended.

The Final Game (Best Seller)
Available in Hard Cover ($19.95)

Review by Dave Jenkinson .

In The Moccasin Goalie, readers/listeners first met Danny, Petou, and Anita and learned how Danny, along with his two friends, became members of the Wolves. In The Final Game, Brownridge continues the story of their season. Initially, the trio had been well accepted, but, as the hockey season progressed, whenever the Wolves lost, the team, led by Travis, their best forward, blamed the threesome for the loss. When Coach Matteau chastises Travis, he retaliates by no longer passing the puck either to Anita or Petou. On the day before the championship match against the league's best team, Danny's brother Bob, a star left-winger for the Toronto Maple Leafs, returns home to rest an injured shoulder. Coach Matteau invites Bob to the team's practice where Bob assesses the Wolves. While the team members individually possess the requisite skills, Bob questions whether they can "play as a team." When the final game goes into sudden-death overtime, Bob provides advice to Travis which leads to the winning goal and team harmony.

Again, Brownridge's paintings contribute significantly to the story's overall impact. In particular, his double page spreads of the hockey action capture the drama of the game while his use of colour recreates the eye-dazzling brightness that can be found on clear winter days. Smoke rising vertically from chimneys reminds readers of the coldness of prairie winters. As in Moccasin Goalie, only the presence of horse drawn vehicles and a steam locomotive alerts youngsters to the fact that the setting is not contemporary.

While the story's outcome is somewhat predictable, young readers/listeners will still respond most positively to Danny's latest hockey adventure.
Highly recommended.
Dave Jenkinson teaches children's and adolescent literature courses at the Faculty of Education, University of Manitoba.

Victory at Paradise Hill
Available in Hard Cover ($19.95)

Review by Reesa Cohen

Brownridge's love for the game of hockey shines through once again, as it has in his previous two Moccasin goalie titles, The Moccasin Goalie ( CM II, No. 6) and The Final Game ( CM IV, No. 4). His stories often feature the underdog, the small, the downtrodden, who rise to the occasion despite their difficulties, and this title is no exception.

"Bad news kids. The league has ruled that Danny and Anita can't play anymore. Petou, you
can try out next week. Anita, Danny, I wish things were different."

Our hopes, crushed in a few words.

That last phrase sets the stage for this story as it not only refers to Danny, but it also relates to his brother, Bob, a player for the Toronto Maple leafs, who has returned home. Like the author, Danny's strong feelings for hockey colours his view of life, but it is his character and spirit, despite life's disappointments that sustains everyone and imbues this tale with a sense of hope.

Although the idea behind the story is charming, and the ending has a positive feeling, the writing fails to engage the reader in caring. And even with the apparent danger of a winter storm, the very simple text and lackluster dialogue fail to create a sense of rising suspense.

 What the text lacks in intensity is made up for in the bold, richly coloured paintings. They truly echo a prairie setting and give the story an authentic exuberant feel. Particularly appealing are the atmospheric and striking paintings which capture the prairie storm.

This story will be of interest to young fans of Brownridge and of our national game.

Recommended.

Reesa Cohen is an Instructor of Children's Literature and Information Literacy in the Faculty of Education, the University of Manitoba.