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Children's Nonfiction Post-confederation (1867-)

Kids Book of Canadian Immigration, The

by (author) Deborah Hodge

illustrated by John Mantha

Publisher
Kids Can Press
Initial publish date
Aug 2006
Category
Post-Confederation (1867-)
Recommended Age
8 to 12
Recommended Grade
3 to 7
  • Hardback

    ISBN
    9781553374848
    Publish Date
    Aug 2006
    List Price
    $19.95

Classroom Resources

Where to buy it

Out of print

This edition is not currently available in bookstores. Check your local library or search for used copies at Abebooks.

Description

Canada is a diverse land with a rich immigration history. Our roots begin with the Aboriginal peoples who have lived here since time immemorial and extend to the wide array of newcomers who have arrived over hundreds of years from almost every part of the globe. People from more than 200 cultures now call Canada home --- and each one has a fascinating story to tell. Many of their stories, past and present, and their amazing contributions to this country are told in these pages.

Featuring stories of ethnic groups, mini-profiles, maps, archival documents and first-person accounts, this richly illustrated title in the Kids Book of series is a celebration of multicultural Canada and a comprehensive look at our fascinating immigration history.

About the authors

Deborah Hodge is the author of more than twenty-five books for children. She specializes in writing engaging non-fiction for young readers and loves the challenge of using few words to explain big thoughts. Many of Deborah’s books have received awards and have been published internationally. Her honors include the Information Book Award of Canada and the Green Prize for Sustainable Literature, and she was a finalist for the National Jewish Book Award for Children’s and Young Adult Literature. Her work has also appeared on ALA’s Top Ten Best Environmental Books for Youth. Deborah lives in Vancouver.

Deborah Hodge's profile page

John Mantha is a Toronto-based artist and illustrator. Born in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, he graduated with honours from the Ontario College of Art. John is the illustrator of twenty-six books including The Kids Book of Canada's Railway and The Kids Book of Canadian Exploration.

John Mantha's profile page

Awards

  • Winner, International Book Award, The Society of School Librarians International
  • Winner, Information Book Award, Children's Literature Roundtables of Canada
  • Short-listed, Christie Harris Illustrated Children's Literature Prize

Editorial Reviews

[T]he tone of the book is decidedly upbeat, matched by John Mantha's gentle and often cheerful illustrations.

Canadian Children's Book News

(This book) is well buttressed by appealing watercolours ... [T]he text explores the subject thoroughly and from a variety if vantage points.

The Globe and Mail

Librarian Reviews

The Kids Book of Canadian Immigration

Kids Can Press adds another title to its series on Canadian history and social studies with this look at immigration. This one tracks our immigration history, from the Aboriginal people, explorers, French and English settlers through the waves of mid-nineteenth century immigrants and up to post-war and modern day immigrants and refugees. Each section is easily identified with a bold title and date, and there are personal stories from each era and sidebars that illustrate famous Canadians of many different backgrounds. This is a good use of the oft-dreaded sidebar, one that allows the reader easy access to significant bits of information that would not work as part of the main text.

The book opens with a picture of a Grade 4/5 class in Vancouver and a map showing the place of origin of each of the students, with the cheery heading, “Welcome to Canada!” While the author covers the many difficulties faced by all races and classes of immigrants, the tone of the book is decidedly upbeat, matched by John Mantha’s gentle and often cheerful illustrations.

It’s worth comparing this book to last year’s offering from Maple Tree Press in the Wow Canada! series, Coming to Canada: Building a Life in a New Land. Both provide a good overview of our history through the stories of the people who came here. Both combine a chronological approach with a thematic one. The Kids Can Press book is written with a younger reader in mind – the text is less sophisticated and easier to read and the design of the book, like all books in the series, makes it easy to navigate. The Maple Tree Press book will be more useful for Grades 6 to 8, while the Kids Can book can be used for junior grades and higher level primary, depending on the topic. Recommended for school and public libraries.

Source: The Canadian Children's Bookcentre. Fall 2006. Vol.29 No. 4.

The Kids Book of Canadian Immigration (Kids Books of...)

Stories of ethnic groups, maps, archival documents and first-person accounts enhance this celebration of multicultural Canada.

Source: The Canadian Children’s Book Centre. Canadian Children’s Book News. 2007.

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