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Noteworthy Books with Canadian Historical ThemesEnglish Titles
From The Story of Canada by Janet Lunn and Christopher Moore. Illustrated by Alan Daniel. Text by Janet Lunn and Christopher Moore. Illustration by Alan Daniel. Published by Lester Publishing and Key Porter Books.
A beautiful and encyclopedic volume beginning with the Ice Ages and ending in 1992. The Acadians, the buffalo hunt, John Franklin's tragic quest, the Klondike gold rush, the Halifax explosion, Expo 67, Terry Fox, and astronaut Roberta Bondar's flight are just a few of the many topics covered in this magnificent resource book. Original paintings, historical photographs, maps, posters and cartoons bring the text to life. Includes an index and chronology.
Cover reproduced by permission of Douglas & McIntyre Ltd.
As Sam and his Pa approach the two quarter-sections of Alberta land where the family is going to settle in the summer of 1915, Sam realizes that this really is "new country". There are no signs of settlers: no houses, no trees, not even a ploughed field -- just miles and miles of endless, rippling prairie grasses. Sam feels small, lonely and homesick until the day he goes exploring and discovers a buffalo skull. His discovery anchors and excites him; he can't wait to share it and future adventures with the rest of his family... This is a positive, upbeat story about pioneers who patiently and industriously overcome many obstacles while searching for a better life.
Cover reproduced by permission of The Porcupine's Quill.
Authentic setting, a charming heroine, and fascinating bits of historical information capture the mood and captivate the reader in these three novels about life in Upper Canada in the 1830s. The first book finds Emma Anderson, with her brother John, recently orphaned and on an isolated farm belonging to the poor, hard-working, warm-hearted neighbours who took them in after the death of their parents. In the second and third novels, the scene switches to the bustling town of York, to a hotel run by their intimidating aunt who has unexpected rights of guardianship. Emma's tinderbox is with her throughout the stories as a remembrance of her beloved family and as a kind of talisman against the future. Although the books can be read independently, fans of historical fiction will want to read them in sequence.
Cover reproduced by permission of Tundra Books.
In the wall surrounding Casa Loma, a spectacular castle built in Toronto in 1914, there is a curious sight: one big, gleaming white stone which stands out amid 250 000 other dull, gray, brown, green, and red stones. This book speculates how that intriguing stone came to be there and how it became something of value to a poor but industrious young lad. Illustrated with meticulously detailed paintings done in old-fashioned colours, this intriguing tale portrays the people, streets, and landmarks of Toronto in the early part of the century. Warning: readers may experience an uncontrollable urge to visit Casa Loma.
Cover reproduced courtesy of Annick Press 1994, Annick Press Ltd./Hazel J. Hutchins (text), Ruth Ohi (art).
Twelve-year-old Allison becomes entangled in a time-travel mystery while visiting Banff on her summer holidays. She is intrigued by a wintry painting when flakes of snow blow from it into her room. Taking a closer look, she discovers she can walk right into the picture, back into the year 1898, where she meets Lily and her little brother Jo-Jo. Soon she realizes that her new friends are in trouble and, though she risks being trapped in the past, she must stay and help them. From her experience of life in the last century, Allison learns a lot about herself and unravels a mystery about her family
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