A Look at Canada

Children's Literature

Pebble Books' "Our World" series includes 8 titles that create gentle ripples in a child's early understanding of the world beyond his own borders. After reading 180 words, he will know that Canada is a country not unlike many other English-speaking countries, yet unique in its own way. He will get a peek at two animals that populate this country's arctic regions. Devoting one page each to sports, language, transportation, agriculture, money, and the significance of the Canadian red maple, the author gives a young reader a very brief snapshot of America's neighbor to the north. Serving the needs of emergent or struggling readers, Pebble books introduce children to places they will surely want to get to know better. This easy reader enables teachers to incorporate social studies into reading practice. A table of contents, glossary, bibliography, and index enhance the teaching according to early information literacy standards. 2002, Pebble Books/Capstone Press, Ages 6 to 9.
— Robin Overby Cox

School Library Journal

PreS-Gr 1-With a count of only 180 words, this book suffers from oversimplification. There is no mention of Canada having provinces and territories; instead, children are told that "Canada is in North America. Canada is the second largest country in the world. The capital of Canada is Ottawa" and "Most people live in cities in southern Canada." Colorful, full-page photographs accompany each page of text. However, some do little to enhance an understanding of the concepts presented, such as the photograph of three children eating that faces the page stating that "English and French are the official languages of Canada." The table of contents is confusing, as it is arranged neither numerically nor alphabetically. Barb McDermott's "All about Series" (Reidmore, 1999) covers the people, places, and animals of Canada in a more engaging manner.-Linda Ludke, London Public Library, Ontario, Canada Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information.