When Nicholas is bombarded with advice from his mom, dad, coach, and all the yelling off-ice, it is impossible to concentrate on the game…that is, until Nicholas finds a solution to his problems that was with him all along.
“The Big Game” by Gilles Tibo and illustrated by Bruno St-Aubin is the first story in the anthology Our Game, which comprises hockey stories from several Canadian authors and illustrators.
This book begins suddenly, by dropping the reader into the action of the plot while foreshadowing what the main problem of the book will be.
As the pressure to win mounts and hope falls, the emotions of the characters are presented in a realistic manner that gives a feel for the pandemonium of the moment. This is done in both the text and illustrations, as Nicholas and his teammates’ anxieties are reflected in stomach aches, tight throats, and headaches, which is a nice representation of how anxiety manifests.
Nicholas’s ability to not give up and problem-solve for himself and his teammates are great traits to see in a character. The twist ending that allows that to happen makes sense and is set up from the beginning in a fun way, which ends up being quite cute to read and is sure to amuse both readers and listeners.
I would recommend this book to people who like comedic endings or who are hockey lovers. The story is fun to experience with the dynamic and colourful artwork that further translates what the characters are feeling through their expressions and how they interact with the scene and other characters. I adore the art style of this book as a fan of vibrant colours, but more than that, of watercolour textured illustrations that always make me think of what my idea of a “classic” watercolour picture book is. These are all great elements that make “The Big Game” a great beginning to the Our Game! anthology.
Text copyright Gilles Tibo. Illustrations copyright Bruno St-Aubin
Our Game! 5 Hockey Stories releases October 2025, pre-order your copy here.
Order The Big Game here.
Contact the columnist: raegen.prohockeynews@gmail.com
Gilles Tibo has written and illustrated more than a hundred books, including the popular Simon series and Where’s My Hockey Sweater? He has received top honours for his work, winning two Governor General’s Awards and two Mr. Christie’s Book Awards. He lives with his family in Montreal, Quebec.
Bruno St-Aubin has been creating books for children since 1988. He has written and illustrated such books as Daddy’s a Dinosaur and My Favourite Monster, and illustrated Sadie the Ballerina by Joan Betty Stuchner, Where’s My Hockey Sweater? by Gilles Tibo and The Several Lives of Orphan Jack by Sarah Ellis. He lives in Quebec.
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