Twas the Night Before Shinny
Fans of hockey and winter sports will love this fun-loving picture book starring a cast of woodland creatures who get into a rollicking game of shinny, a simplified outdoor version of hockey.
It’s a cold snowy night and the neighborhood children are tucked up in bed, dreaming sweet dreams of hockey glory. While the children are sleeping, woodland animals gather at a pond, eager for a game of shinny. Blue Jay, the referee, sorts the players into two teams, blows his whistle, and the game begins! Chipmunk sports announcers provide running commentary on the brisk action. But what should be a friendly competition soon turns into a loud squawking argument. Can anyone ease the tension and get the players back on the ice? Help comes from a surprising and legendary source! Back matter includes a glossary of fun hockey words.
| Interest Level | Kindergarten - Grade 3 |
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| Reading Level | Grade 1 |
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| Publisher | Sleeping Bear Press |
| Language | English |
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| Available Formats | Hardcover (9781534113725), PDF (9781668979327), ePub (9781668979211), Hosted ebook (9781668979433) |
| Copyright | 2026 |
| Number of Pages | 32 |
| Dimensions | 9 x 11 |
| Graphics | Full-color illustrations |
Author: Lorna Schultz Nicholson
Lorna Schultz Nicholson has published picture books, middle-grade fiction and nonfiction, YA fiction, and adult hockey nonfiction. Her books have been nominated for many Canadian awards. She loves visiting schools to talk to students about reading and writing. Joey Moss was an inspiration to her. She is so happy she got to dance with him to “La Bamba” onstage for the Edmonton Down Syndrome Society fashion show! Learn more about Lorna at lornaschultznicholson.com.
Illustrator: Erica J. Chen
Erica J. Chen is a Bay Area artist who currently resides on a farm in Nova Scotia where she is surrounded by deer, but no sasquatches (that she’s aware of). She is also the illustrator of Purr-im Time! and its upcoming sequel. When she is not drawing, Erica is busy annoying her corgi Luna and dreaming about all the cute animals she wants to meet.
| Author/Illustrator biography |
| Glossary of key words |
| Original artwork |
| Full-color illustrations |

