
Your guide to recently released books, CDs and other teaching
resources. For additional reviews of French-language resources,
visit Lu, vu,
entendu. With the exception of some classroom sets, items
reviewed are available on loan from the Margaret Wilson Library
at the College. Contact Olivia Hamilton at 416-961-8800 (toll-free
in Ontario 1-888-534-2222), ext 679, or e-mail library@oct.ca.
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Carroll, Canada and community
Jabberwocky
Illustrated by Stéphane Jorisch
by Lewis Carroll
Lewis
Carroll's classic 1872 poem provides the context for this surreal 21st
century rendering - complete with blood, guts and gore, a guardian angel
and a happy ending. Jorisch's stark lines, strong colours and layered
images will have enormous appeal for video-savvy adolescents who may
be guided to discuss topics such as media influence, war and gender roles.
"Beware the Jabberwock," warns the Old Man, wearing a military hat and
blue-grey trousers, while the Young Man, in a brown suit, sews dresses
in the world of mimsy borogoves and eats dinner in front of the television.
The Old Man's fears appear as full-screen projections of "the jaws that
bite and the claws that catch."
The Young Man's war is seen in his giant shadow - like smoke from
a smouldering fire - on a wall of graffiti. An angel figure joins him
for a thoughtful time in the woods, which look like part of an enormous
art show, before he faces the truly fearsome Jabberwock, whom he fights
valiantly - with cartoon-style sound effects - under the sheltering
wings of his angel.
As the Young Man returns home with Jabberwock's head in a basket, the
bloody battle scene resolves into a pastoral setting; smoke rises from
a farmhouse chimney, a woman walks her dog and a photographer rests his
camera. On the Young Man's return the Old Man, who had exhorted him into
battle, dies in a paroxysm of joy and is carried to the cemetery past
empty mannequins and outdated images of war. A few mourners follow with
a giant bouquet.
On the final page, three children have emptied a basket and sit on the
curb examining the rodent-like Jabberwock.
This book won illustrator Stéphane Jorisch the 2004 Governor
General's Literary Award for children's illustration.
Jabberwocky (Visions
in Poetry series), Kids Can Press, Toronto, 2004, ISBN-13: 978-1-55337-079-6,
ISBN-10: 1-55337-079-1, hardcover, 40 pages, $18.95, tel 416-925-5437
or 1-800-265-0884, fax 416-960-5437, www.kidscanpress.com
Other books in this series include The Highwayman, The Lady
of Shalott, Casey at the Bat and The Raven.
Bonnie Beldan Thomson teaches kindergarten
for the Durham DSB.
The
Best Country
Why Canada Will Lead the Future
by Satya Das
Reading The Best Country I got the feeling that Canada has been
like one of those wonderful students whose work habits, skills and successes
could be a model for others but who unfailingly shies away from the spotlight
and remains in the shadow of more brash and confident students.
Secondary teachers looking for a book to spark discussions, debate and
essay papers about Canada's history, domestic policy and its role in
international affairs will find a veritable treasure trove: Laurier's
pronouncement that Canada "shall fill the twentieth century," Trudeau's
vision of a "just society," the Land Mines Treaty, the International
Criminal Court, the September 11th terrorist attacks.
Das contends that a high standard of civilization depends on the advancement
of human rights, security and development. He opposes the idea that a
country's quality of life involves "building significant military capacity
and using economic prowess to secure their own prosperity with scant
regard for the progress of others."
Canada has an obligation to lead, he says, by setting an example of
how to further human rights, peace, education, health care and equal
opportunity for all in a multicultural, borderless world.
He does not ignore Canada's inglorious past either. From the killing
of Newfoundland's Beothuk to the policies of exclusion, such as the head
tax on Chinese immigrants and the wartime internment of Canadians of
German and Japanese descent, to the mistreatment of Jews, blacks, Sikhs
and First Nations, it's all here.
This is a thought-provoking and refreshingly optimistic book.
The Best Country,
Cambridge Strategies, Edmonton, 2003, ISBN 0-97311340-5, softcover, 188
pages, $19.95, tel 780-420-0505, fax 780-420-1256, stacey@cambridgestrategies.com
Chris Vert is a JK/SK teacher at the Island
Public/Natural Science School in Toronto.
Coming to Canada
Building a Life in a New Land
by Susan Hughes
Another
valuable addition to the WOW Canada! series, this fascinating account
of immigration is written at a Grades 6-8 level but will also be of interest
to older readers.
One section - Building a Nation - presents theories about how the first
peoples arrived here, then skips to French settlements established in
1604 and continues with the Acadian expulsion and the arrival of the
United Empire Loyalists, black Loyalists, travellers of the Underground
Railroad and the Irish.
Going West covers the building of the railway by Chinese workers and
the movement of Icelanders, Ukrainians and Italians into the west. A
New Century describes the Komagata Maru Incident, treatment of the Japanese
during World War II, the arrival of war brides and people displaced during
World War II.
The Changing Face of Canada looks at the arrival of people from many
other nations as a result of wars - Hungarians, Afghans, Somalis
and American draft dodgers.
Throughout, images of artifacts and art bring historical events to life
and each chapter is followed by a two-page, four-colour Spotlight - most
related to the preceding chapter but a few covering stand-alone topics.
One - Come to Canada! - describes promotional schemes encouraging immigration.
The book includes a useful timeline of world events and Canadian immigration,
a resource list of web sites and an index to specific topics. It is both
a useful research resource and a good cover-to-cover read.
Susan Hughes provides insight into the painful aspects of immigration
history as well as the parts to celebrate.
Coming to Canada,
Maple Tree Press, Toronto, 2005, ISBN 1-897066-46-5, softcover, 112 pages,
$19.95, distributed by Raincoast Books, tel 1-800-663-5714, fax 1-800-565-3770, customerservice@raincoast.com
Margaret Grift is library consultant at
Brampton Christian School.
The Kids Book of Canadian Prime Ministers
illustrated by John Mantha
by Pat Hancock
Students
will love the easy-to-read text and colourful illustrations in this newly
updated version of a Canadian history classic. Documenting past and present
prime ministers, this book demonstrates a rich heritage of dynamic leaders - with
timelines and biographies that bring our history to life.
The book begins with a chapter on government and our federal system.
Elections, parliament and the House of Commons are reviewed. Prime Ministers
are then listed with several interesting anecdotes about their time spent
in office. Milestones during each term and major political issues of
the day are noted.
Portraits of each prime minister bring to life the personalities and
a timeline provides a visual perspective of Canada's short but influential
political history.
From MacDonald to Martin, this is a fascinating, fun read for all ages.
The Kids Book
of Canadian Prime Ministers, Kids Can Press, Toronto, 2005, ISBN
13: 978-1-55337-740-5, ISBN-10: 1-55337-740-0, hardcover, $19.95, 416-925-5437,
tel 1-800-265-0884, fax 416-960-5437, www.kidscanpress.com
Andrea Murik is a Special Education resource
teacher with the Simcoe County DSB.
The Kids Book of Canadian Exploration
illustrated by John Mantha
by Ann-Maureen Owens and Jane Yealland
This
excellent reference book is beautifully produced and visually pleasing.
Each page is generously and colourfully illustrated by Toronto artist
John Mantha with large text laid out in columns for easy reading.
Sections - there are 24 in this deceptively slim book - range
chronologically from native migrations to North America to space exploration.
Colour-co-ordinated text boxes complement the main storyline.
The section on Jacques Cartier, for instance, includes a sidebar on
Verranzzano (Cartier's immediate predecessor), a Milestone describing
trade with natives, a profile of Marguarite de la Roche and a Did You
Know on illnesses, as well as six illustrations and a map. A timeline
and index are also included.
Of particular note are the four sections on the technology of exploration - which
students will find fascinating. Early navigational tools, like sextants
and astrolabes, are clearly and simply explained, as are the various
types of sailing craft used in the 1500s. Arctic explorations include
a discussion of wilderness survival. Even mapping technology gets attention,
right up to modern-day GPS systems.
In fact, many connections to the contemporary world are made. Owens
and Yealland refer to museums, train trips, companies and sites related
to the topics under discussion. It's enough to make a teacher organize
a school trip! There is much for the eager student to learn in this thorough
and well-thought-out reference book.
The Kids Book
of Canadian Exploration, Kids Can Press, Toronto, 2004, ISBN 1-55337-353-7,
hardcover, 56 pages, $19.95, tel 416-925-5437, fax 416-960-5437, www.kidscanpress.com
Ian Stuart teaches at Regiopolis-Notre
Dame High School, Algonquin and Lakeshore Catholic DSB.
Crazy About Canada
by Vivien Bowers
This
non-fiction book provides answers to questions about Canada submitted
by school children from across the country.
With illustrations and photographs throughout, topics range from why
the best potatoes are grown in PEI to how the design of the Canadian
flag came to be. Many topics match the social studies, history and geography
modules of the Ontario curriculum for Grades 4 through 8.
Canada's cultural diversity is acknowledged, different languages spoken
are mentioned and questions about First Nations history are answered.
This engaging book would be a useful addition to school libraries serving
Grades 4 to 8.
Crazy About
Canada, Maple Tree Press, Toronto, 2006, ISBN 1-897066-48-1, softcover,
96 pages, $19.95, tel 416-304-0702, distributed by Raincoast Books,
tel 1-800-663-5714, fax 1-800-565-3770, customerservice@raincoast.com
Laurel Van Dommelen is a Senior children's
librarian with the London Borough of Enfield, England.
My Community and Its Helpers series
by Bobbie Kalman
This
series of beautifully illustrated non-fiction books would be a wonderful
addition to any Primary classroom library. Easy-to-read text and plenty
of full-colour photographs will be sure to engage students.
Veterinarians takes a journey through a vet's office and shows
how to properly care for domestic animals. Wild animal surgeries, shelters,
farms and zoos are also covered to demonstrate the versatility of the
animal-care profession.
Firefighters is
a very colourful depiction of what it is to be a firefighter. Fire trucks,
equipment and fire safety are highlighted. There is a special tribute
to firefighters who died in the World Trade Centre on 9/11 but the book
also shows other jobs that firefighters do in the community, such as
attending car accidents, fighting wildfires and assisting emergency medical
staff.
Ambulance
drivers, police officers, utility workers and disaster relief agencies
are featured in Emergency Workers, which gives a realistic view
of many behind-the-scenes jobs. Life in a busy emergency room is the
focus of Hospital Workers, which includes information on X-ray
technicians, lab assistants and surgeons. A section on staying safe and
basic first-aid is included.
Each
of the four books in the series provides a glossary and an index for
easy reference. A how-to-become section for the professionals mentioned
is included at the end of each book - prompting students to think about
future careers. This is a fun way to teach children about the people
in their community whose job it is to keep us and our neighbourhoods
safe.
My Community and
Its Helpers series, Crabtree Publishing, St. Catharines, 2004, softcover,
each 32 pages, $9.86, tel 905-682-5221 or 1-800-387-7650, fax 905-682-7166
or 1-800-355-7166, www.crabtreebooks.com, orders@crabtreebooks.com
Andrea Murik is a Special Education resource
teacher with the Simcoe County DSB.
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