Hockey New York State E-Magazine
November 2011
Page 10
Hockey Mom and Author Christie Casciano with Daughter Sophia. (Casciano Photo)
Hockey Moms are Authors too! By Janet Schultz
W
hat do you do when your children are playing hockey? After noticing Hockey Moms and Dads paying bills, writing letters, knitting or doing needlework, reading books and newspapers, one Mom decided to start jotting down notes on things about hockey that she was noticing. Things like teamwork, player interaction and technical quirks like puck hogging. Then Hockey Mom and Syracuse News Anchor Christie Casciano took those notes and wrote a manuscript that her children encouraged her to send to a publisher. After several rejections, a Syracuse area publisher took the manuscript and published it. Thus, “The Puck Hog” was born. Now, would a children’s book on hockey be popular? Well her first test was when the publisher told her she would be doing a book signing. The nerves start be-
cause you don’t know if anyone will show up, if anyone will buy the book and did if you did the right thing by taking on this venture. Casciano found that hockey is a very popular topic, especially when the book is based on real life experience and focuses on children who play in your area. “The Puck Hog,” is a delightful children’s book that tells the story of Eddie, the team puck hog and how members of the team handled the situation. Her book reflects situations that were happening to her own children on the ice and the interactions the team had with that particular player over a series of weeks. “I’ve had things bottled up in me over the years,” said Casciano. “Hockey should be a good experience for every player and if someone is hogging the puck or doing other things that detract from that, it’s frustrating to watch.” (continued on next page)