A Prairie Boy

the moccasin goalie, brownridge’s first children’s book, was chosen to be used in the northwest territories literacy council Books in the Home program, a literacy program sponsored by the Canadian Federal Government.

"brownridge's paintings of the wintry canadian landscape feature bold dabs of paint applied in an impressionistic style to create a mosaic of blues, golds, and brilliant pinks...it's enough to make you put down your book, bundle up, and head out into the snow." (hungry mind review 1995-10-01)

"makes a nice read-aloud book as well as a read-by-myself book for early readers. it contains beautiful, big, full-color illustrations that add feeling to this emotional story." (christian library journal 1996-09-01)

"although it's a winter story, the direct language and zinging art 'score' with boys and girls all year-around." (mosaic 1996-07-01)

"although the story highlights hockey, it also deals with friendship, abilities and prejudice." "there are never enough good hockey stories for young children. this is a welcome addition." "the happiness of the friends and the feelings...are vividly portrayed." (resource links 1995-10-01)

"the illustrations are impressive." "children will sense [brownridge's] love for hockey and his experiences as a 'moccasin goalie.'" "remember to stock this picture book for young hockey fans." (canadian bookseller 1995-10-01)

"this book is highly recommended both for its positive message and for its joyous celebration of youthful pastimes." "the pointillist technique used to depict ice and snow gives the pictures a scintillating, sparkling effect." (canadian children's literature 1995-10-01)

"brownridge's full-colour paintings...powerfully capture both the biting cold of prairie winters and the eye-dazzling brightness of the season's days." "the combination of a warm, affirming story and fine illustration makes this a book for all collections serving young listeners and readers." (cm magazine 1995-11-24)

"the art of william brownridge charges the white small-town prairie winter with the excitement and energy of a child's perception. the story captures both the pain and the glory for children involved in minor sports." (regina sun 1995-12-24)

“the combination of a warm, affirming story and fine illustration makes [moccasin goalie] a book for all collections serving young listeners and readers. highly recommended.” (dave jenkinson 1995; manitoba library association)

Says the artist: "In a world preoccupied with the sensational, the bizarre and the vulgar, I find great enjoyment watching children at play. Their laughter, enthusiasm and naivete are a source of endless fascination, especially when the setting is a hauntingly beautiful prairie or foothills landscape."

William Roy 'Bill' Brownridge grew up on the Canadian prairies during the Depression with only one leg. It wasn't easy but he went on to become a renowned artist and the author of three best-selling children's books - The Moccasin Goalie trilogy. Bill's somewhat allegorical stories inhabit a simpler time of horses and farms, and yet even then the challenges were great. Bill himself experienced such a challenge back then - he was a teenager when his right leg had to be amputated. But Bill's family, and his love of hockey and its ideals, helped him survive that challenge.

A number of years after losing his leg, Bill moved to the city and enrolled in art college. He graduated and has been a professional artist even since - over 60 years. His paintings have been exhibited in the National Museum of Science & Technology, Ottawa; the Glenbow Museum, Calgary; the NHL Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto; his serigraph prints were used in Calgary's Olympic Games bid presentation to the IOC - a bid they won, hosting the 1988 Winter Olympics. His artwork has been on the front page of the national media and he's been featured on CBC TV and Radio.

Bill's original paintings and prints and his books are in collections across North America and Europe, and can be found in libraries, corporate headquarters, government offices, downtown building lobbies, NHL team offices and players homes, and of course within the homes of hundreds of individuals.

His most recent original paintings are available in art galleries across Canada from Toronto to Vancouver.

Bill is not just a writer and an artist but a strong advocate for social justice. He's been a social democrat his entire life, a tough row to hoe living in Alberta back then, and Bill has fought hard in the interests of the poor and disenfranchised -- he once journeyed to the Nicaraguan jungle with Tools for Peace. On his crutches of course.

Bill's books and art can also be seen at www.heartofhockey.com