THE NOT-SO-SILLY 'SILLY NATHAN'S SKI BOOK
Our ski guru Arnie Wilson gives his verdict on the latest book for ski-loving children – Silly Nathan’s Kid’s Activity Book
Earlier this year, I reviewed A-B-Skis, a children’s book written by the American Olympic skier Libby Ludlow and illustrated by Nathan Jarvis, himself a qualified ski instructor. Now Jarvis is back, not only illustrating a second children’s ski book but writing it too.
According to Jarvis, Silly Nathan’s Kid’s Activity Book combines ‘Awesome activities, coloring fun and pro tips to help kids have safe and successful best-ever days on snow’. As he explains: “Kids get the inside scoop on snowsports culture while having fun coloring the pages and building great memories of learning to ski or snowboard – and throughout their journey toward becoming enthusiastic lifelong sliders.”
Despite its self-deprecating name, Jarvis’ book is rather reassuringly backed by the Professional Ski Instructors of America and the American Association of Snowboard Instructors (PSIA-AASI), the world’s largest organisation dedicated to teaching people how to ski and snowboard.
Having skied in all 38 US states that have ski areas, I certainly find safety on the slopes of America considerably better than in the Alps. So, in between the cartoons, jokes and word searches, you’ll find tips on mountain safety, such as: “Going fast is fun. Being able to go so and stop are fun, and important too.
“Carry contact phone numbers and have a meet-up plan in case someone goes on an unscheduled adventure.
The latest children’s ski book from the multi-talented illustrator and ski instructor, Nathan Jarvis
“Stop on the side of the run where others can see you. Wherever trails meet, look uphill. Let others go first.”
One of Jarvis’ many clever touches is to link some of the illustrations with the difficulty rating of American slopes. Thus, one cartoon depicting a young skier with a rabbit sitting on his helmet is rated green (as in a green run), while two young children trying to decipher messages on the walls of a snow cave is rated blue, as in a blue piste.
He also helps unravel the meanings of some of ski culture’s more peculiar phrases, such as ‘Yard sale’ (a spectacular fall when all your gear comes off), and ‘Death cookies’ (small hard snow chunks that are not sweet to eat). These explanations can also be handy for grown ups less well-versed in American ski vernacular.
I never skied as a child, yet my gut feeling is that this book, and others written and illustrated by Jarvis, could genuinely make a difference to youngsters learning to ski, making it huge fun as well as educational.
Some children find the process of learning quite tough, but I feel that, armed with this book, borderline cases will be so enchanted by all the associated fun and games they’ll be raring to go.
Silly Nathan’s Kid’s Activity Book $3.50
Nathan Jarvis is a certified children’s specialist ski instructor and snowboard trainer and an award-winning artist.