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Noteworthy Books with Canadian Historical Themes

French Titles

Makwa, le petit Algonquin
Chagnan (Bernard Assiniwi) and Ka-Hon-Hes (John Fadden)
Illustrations: Ka-Hon-Hes (John Fadden)
Montréal: Leméac, 1973, 47 p.
(Collection Chicouté)
Ages 5 to 7
The illustrations in this book are just as important as the story, providing details about the Algonquin way of life for a very young audience. A single family unit including father, mother, little sister Ikwé and of course, Makwa, is used as a model to describe the role of everyone in the group: Makwa follows his father very closely to learn a number of tasks essential to the family's survival. As an introduction to Algonquin life before the arrival of Europeans, this book will satisfy children's curiosity. It also underlines the part played by Algonquins in contemporary society.


Des Os dans un panier: légendes amérindiennes sur les origines du monde
C.J. Taylor
Illustrations: C.J. Taylor
Translation: Michèle Boileau
Montréal: Livres Toundra, 1994, 32 p.
ISBN 0887763448
Ages 8 and up
Available in English: Bones in the Basket: Native Stories of the Origin of People (Montreal: Tundra Books, 1994)
Cover reproduced by permission of Livres Toundra.

In this book, C.J. Taylor is drawn by the creation legends of indigenous peoples throughout the Americas and as far away as Siberia to present a series of vibrantly coloured paintings and legends, all equally moving. These seven legends convey sensitivity in dealing with the surrounding world and the universal desire to explain one's origins. These stories offer an outstanding introduction to Aboriginal mythology for all who are captivated by stories about the dawn of time.


La Petite Nouvelle
Ken Dolphin
Illustrations: Maurice Dunberry
Saint-Laurent, Québec: Éditions Pierre Tisseyre, 1994, 89 p.
(Collection Papillon)
ISBN 2890515362
Ages 8 to 10
Cover reproduced by permission of Éditions Pierre Tisseyre.

When scarlet fever decimates the population of Saint-Antoine-Abbé in 1888, young Éva Archambeault succumbs to the virus in February before receiving her report card. On February 29, 1976, Jacques Quenneville, a teacher at the small country school, finds Éva, dressed in her old-fashioned clothes. It turns out that she returns every four years in a quest for her last report card, and she finally does receive it, thanks to Jacques. Pen-and-ink illustrations complement the text of this short novel for children who enjoy time travel.


Le Plus long circuit
Roch Carrier
Illustrations: Sheldon Cohen
Montréal: Livres Toundra, 1993, 30 p.
ISBN 0887763014 (bound), 0887763138 (paperback)
Ages 8 and up
Available in English:
The Longest Home Run
(Montreal: Tundra Books, 1993)
Cover reproduced by permission of Livres Toundra.

A baseball world record is established in 1947 in Sainte-Justine when Adeline, a young stranger whom the boys would really like to ignore, takes bat in hand, walks up to home plate, hits the ball like a professional ... and breaks Sergeant Bouton's window. This children's story is a gem. It will also captivate adults, who will appreciate Sheldon Cohen's detailed and lively illustrations, the flavour of a bygone era, and the sensitive discretion of someone who knows everything and says nothing.


Le Secret de la Bouline
Marie-Andrée Dufresne
Illustrations: Christine Battuz
LaSalle, Québec: Hurtubise HMH, 1994, 175 p.
(Collection Atout; Aventure)
ISBN 2894280688
Ages 9 to 11
Cover reproduced by permission of Éditions Hurtubise HMH Ltée.

Who is the mysterious Knight of the Seas? And who is the author of this journal left abandoned since 1905 and found by Delphine and Parmélie deep in an upholstered chair in a deserted house? While reading about a family secret, Delphine uncovers another mystery, one faithfully guarded by the journal. This is a suspense-filled novel which will enchant romantics with a thirst for historical adventure. Friendship, love and hope come together in this book, illustrated with stylized drawings in pen and ink.

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Date Created: 2001-05-29
Date Modified: 2002-09-25

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