A new locally created children’s book is celebrating seven decades of Peterborough Petes hockey while encouraging a love of reading among young fans.
Petes Friends Forever was written by local author Ed Arnold and illustrated by artist Drew Ridpath. The book will donated to the Petes’ Adopt-a-School program — where corporate partners and organizations can sign up to reward deserving local students and families. The Petes select recipients to receive four tickets to each home game, giving kids the chance to experience OHL hockey at no cost.
Author Ed Arnold gives a synopsis of the story — one that all starts with a young hockey fan named Peter Peters.
The story, praised in a charming review by six-year-old Charles Keating of St. Paul’s School, explores themes of friendship, perseverance and teamwork. Keating’s review notes, “I understand when the story says that luck is not the same as hard work and practice.”
Arnold says that’s exactly the kind of message he hopes will resonate with young readers.
Arnold says the project began when Petes merchandise director Mark Million suggested a children’s title for the team store. With Ridpath’s illustrations and design support from Jan Rutherford, Petes Friends Forever became a heartfelt collaboration — and a tribute to the longest continuously operating franchise in the Ontario Hockey League.
Arnold says he’s proud of how the story came together.
Priced at $15, the book will be available later this year, with 100 per cent of proceeds going to a local charity to be announced closer to the holiday season.
(Written by: Noah Lorusso)
