I have mixed feelings about this book. I liked the illustrations of this book and I liked the story idea, but I didn't like the whole story. I believe it was a bit long for no reason and that some of the parts of the story aren't necessary. For example the beginning when they what to go but Arthur says to wait. I also didn't like the writing of this book. I feel that the wording of this book was a bit confusing at times. For example one line says "Back along snowy road and trail." I just doesn't sound right. Maybe if the author changed it so that road and trails were plural or if it said back along the snowy road and trail. The main message of this story is having fun with friends and being patient to wait for the right time. ( )

I think the writing in this book might be underappreciated by its target audience. I'm sure they'll enjoy reading it, but the writing was just so beautiful. It was elegant and flowed in a way that really made this story feel magical.

As a parent, I would freak out if my kids were doing something like this (leaving in the middle of the night to walk through snow up to their waist, building a fire, and staying out until their toes are numb). It did make a good story, though. There's a lake or a pond in the middle of the woods, and they use the moonlight to play hockey on the surface (after they clear the snow away themselves).

It was a story my husband really enjoyed reading to our son, and he encouraged me to read it afterwards so I could have the same experience. A really lovely book!

Originally posted at Do You Dog-ear? on September 8, 2018. ( )

I feel like I have been to Canada, and played ice hockey on a beaver pond, in the cold, dark days of winter.
Beautifully done!! ( )

This is a gorgeous picture book that spoke to me of days past. It is November and the children are waiting to go skating and play hockey on the Beaver flood. They need to wait for the full moon and it finally comes. They must trudge through the snow to get to their "perfect ice". They have a great time on the outdoor ice, with frozen pants, red cheeks and stiff hair. It brings back memories of skating on the outdoor rinks that have almost disappeared today. The illustrations are perfect for this story. This could be used as a mentor text in a class where you are teaching about predictions, drawing conclusions or comparing. A book that could also be used in a visual arts class when teaching various artistic styles. A great book for a school or class library. The publisher generously provided me with a copy of this book via Netgalley. ( )

The whimsy of this book is really dazzling. The plot is simple: a group of children slip outside (they send one of their number back for warmer clothes) to play ice hockey in the moonlight. There is no tension; instead, this is a descriptive, vivid story of a fantastic night out. I especially loved the enormous, dark images of nighttime and the balance between these images and the descriptions of nature.

I agree with some of the other posters' comments about not letting children go out at night. This is a conversation one would want to have with a young child to whom you read the book. On the other hand, I don't think this is actually a book just for children--I would happily give this book to an adult who had fond memories of snow, ice, and adventure.

In short, this is beautiful, and I would highly recommend it. ( )