Monday 22 November 2021

There Once Was A Girl Gerry - Maria Siracusa Quinto and Kelly Marie McConkey

Maria Siracusa Quinto
Kelly Marie McConkey (Illustrator)
ISBN 9781777061418
ISBN 9781777061408


This is the second book in a series about women in Hockey. Or at least that is what I believe the series is about based on this book and information I can gather. This particular volume is the story of Geraldine Heaney who was a Canadian ice hockey
Player who competed mainly between 1990 and 2003. But this is her backstory. The story of a young girl from Ireland whose family immigrated to Canada. And her and her siblings found a love for their new homes national game.

The story follows Gerry as she first plays road hockey with her brother and sister, including calling “car” to clear the road. To watching her brother begin to play in a league. To finding out about a girls league that was looking for players. All the way through to her time with the Olympic team.

At the end of the picture book is a brief one page bio of Geraldine that includes a picture of her with her two Olympic medals. The story is written by Maria Siracusa Quinto who managed minor youth hockey for over 20 years, and then 15 years managing the Toronto Aeros. The book is illustrated by Kelly Marie McConkey a graduate of Seneca College and Toronto-based artist. The illustrations are bright and vibrant.

The book is a fun book to be read to young children. But for many it is not a picture book they will be able to read themselves. There are some pages that are solid text. I read the book and then had my 10 year old daughter read it to me. She liked the story. It is well done. And we look forward to reading other books in the series. 

Books in the There Once Was a Girl Series:
There Once Was A Girl: AJ
There Once Was A Girl: Cassie






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