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Canadian History

Review: The Boy in the Picture by Ray Argyle

  All Canadians know the photograph of the Driving of the Last Spike, the historic moment signifying completion of the great railway that Canada’s confederation was built on.  But look closely at the picture.  Who’s that boy right in the middle of all the dignitaries, behind the one driving the spike? He’s Edward Mallandaine, known […]

Review: Camp X by Eric Walters

When their father went off to war, George, Jack and their mother, Mrs. Braun, moved to Whitby Ontario.  After all, there was no way they could run the farm without him.  Mrs. Braun took a job in the huge local munitions factory and, in the summer vacation of 1943, there was no one to take care […]

Review: And Tomorrow the Stars: The Story of John Cabot by Kay Hill

Young Giovanni Caboto of Genoa cared for nothing but boats, but he was sent off to Venice to live with his uncle, a wealthy spice merchant.   There, together with his new friend Michiele, he studied at the monastery and was especially fascinated by geography and exploration.   When he got into trouble he was thrilled with […]

Review: The Story of Canada by Janet Lunn and Christopher Moore

Although relatively short and peaceful, Canada’s history is both fascinating and significant.  Our family owns all kinds of Canadian history books, but for a readable overview that appeals to all ages we prefer The Story of Canada by Janet Lunn and Christopher Moore. This large, colorful book is full of detailed illustrations and interesting stories […]

Happy Birthday, Emily Carr

One of my favorite Canadian artists, Emily Carr, would have been 142 today, and there are some celebrations: The Vancouver Art Gallery is hosting an exhibition of 40 of her exhilarating forest paintings this winter.  I won’t be able to see it, but maybe some of you will.  Instead, I can take a virtual field trip […]