I love any book that has to deal with hockey, but especially those that introduce a lead female character. Kids today should always understand that both boys and girls can play any sport they want, without gender playing a role. I love how the book provided times of encouragement from both the other kids as well as the parents, this can tremendously help a child self-confidence. I also loved the illustrations, they were very colorful and eye catching.

Thank you to Netgalley, Victoria Bach, Ryan Francis, and Nimbus Publishing for providing an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion and feedback.

This was such a sweet read for us.

I read Skate On, Shirley! with my 4 and 8-year-old granddaughters, and they both loved it. The story follows Shirley, who wants to try hockey but is dealing with all those very real kid thoughts—what if I’m too old, what if I don’t know how, what if I’m not good enough. It felt very relatable, even for them.

The illustrations really pulled them in. Bright, expressive, and easy to follow—they stayed engaged the whole time, which says a lot.

What I appreciated most is how the story shows Shirley falling, getting back up, and slowly finding her confidence. It’s not overdone or preachy—it just naturally shows that trying is what matters.

And the biggest takeaway?
By the end, both girls were asking about ice hockey and if they could try it. That right there makes this book a win.

It’s also really meaningful knowing it supports opportunities for Indigenous girls in sports—that adds something extra to the story.

Overall: 4 stars.
A feel-good, encouraging read that actually sticks with kids—and clearly inspires them to try something new.

"We'll help each other" is the theme in Skate On, Shirley, a children's book about confidence, courage and community. Shirley wants to play hockey, but she has doubts that she can keep up with her teammates who are mostly older and more experienced. By having faith in herself and by becoming a part of the hockey community, she learns what it takes to reach her goals. This is a fun book with important lessons and examples of strong female characters. The colorful illustrations provide wonderful support for the text. An explanation of The Genevieve Francis Memorial Fund, where a portion of the proceeds from the book are donated, describes the organization supporting indigenous females in sports, recreation and physical activity. This book is an excellent resource for showing empowered women, particularly indigenous women.

A fantastic must read for all kids. This is a book that will change the way kids see themselves and their role in hockey. Representation matters.

A very sweet book about a girl who just wants to play hockey. They drawings are very well done, the story is lovely, and the dad is so encouraging!