Hockey in the Wild (Life in the Wild)
Surviving the Wild Series
on Goodreads (173)
What’s inside...
The lovable Life in the Wild trio, consisting of a bear, a moose, and a beaver, eagerly await the start of hockey season during wintertime. However, their enthusiasm leads them to venture onto the ice before it is fully frozen, causing them to fall through twice. As they wait for the ice to solidify, they engage in activities like competitive napping, karaoke, and indulging in comfort food to distract themselves. Eventually, the ice becomes thick enough for hockey, but the trio must now determine if they are physically ready to play after a period of inactivity. This story, part of the bestselling Life in the Wild picture book series by Nicholas Oldland, is a humorous exploration of the sport of hockey and the joys of playing outdoors, offering lessons on patience, perseverance, and winter safety.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
3-7
Length
32 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What do you think the animals learned about teamwork during their hockey game?
Why do you think the bear decided to join the beaver and the moose in playing hockey?
How did the animals' actions show friendship and sportsmanship?
Can you imagine a different ending to their hockey game? What would you change?
Why is it important to play fairly, even in a game?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to think about the feelings and motivations of the characters by asking them to relate to their own experiences with friends and teamwork.
Facilitate a discussion on the importance of playing fair and being a good sport, drawing parallels between the story and real-life situations.
Ask your child to describe their favorite part of the book and explain why they liked it, helping them develop their ability to express opinions and thoughts.
Discuss the aspect of teamwork in the book, and relate it to your child's experiences in sports or group activities, emphasizing how collaboration helps achieve goals.
Suggest your child imagine different scenarios or endings to the story, fostering creativity and problem-solving skills.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Teamwork and cooperation
Explanation: This book portrays various animals coming together to play a game of hockey, illustrating how cooperation leads to success in team activities.
Real-World Application: Children can apply the idea of teamwork in school projects, sports teams, and family activities, learning that collective effort often leads to better outcomes.
Example Lesson: Respecting differences
Explanation: The story shows animals with different skills and characteristics collaborating, teaching that diversity can be a strength in a team setting.
Real-World Application: Kids can learn to appreciate the unique traits of their classmates and friends, understanding that everyone has something valuable to contribute.
Example Lesson: Problem-solving
Explanation: The characters in the book face challenges during their game of hockey, which they overcome by working together and thinking creatively.
Real-World Application: Children can be encouraged to tackle obstacles in their own lives by thinking of inventive solutions and collaborating with others when needed.
Example Lesson: Enjoyment of physical activities
Explanation: Hockey in the Wild makes a sport like hockey fun and engaging, showing the joy of physical play.
Real-World Application: This can motivate children to participate in sports or other physical activities, emphasizing the fun and benefits of staying active.
Example Lesson: Handling competition healthily
Explanation: The book addresses handling wins and losses gracefully, underscoring the importance of good sportsmanship.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to accept both victories and defeats in sports and other competitive areas, focusing on effort and fair play over just winning.