EXPLORING CANADA: LEARNING FROM THE PAST, LOOKING TO THE FUTURE. Bowers, Vivien and Diane Swanson. Vancouver, Douglas & Mclntyre. c1985. 86pp, paperbound boards. $24.95, ISBN 0-88894-871-9. (Explorations; A Canadian Social Studies Program for Elementary Schools). CIP EXPLORATIONS: TEACHER BOOK, GRADE 5. Green, Vicki and Jan Maynard Nicol. Vancouver, Douglas & Mclntyre, c1985. 330pp. paper, spiral bound, $27.00, ISBN 0-88894-872-7. (Explorations: A Canadian Social Studies Program for Elementary Schools). CIP Grade 5 Reviewed by Gerri Young Volume 14 Number 4 1986 July A review of these two excellent books seems redundant, as they are already in use in many grade five classrooms. Enthusiasm for Exploring Canada and the accompanying teacher's book is vigorous. The grade five teachers and the teacher librarian to whom I talked were positive in their praise; they liked everything about these books. Exploring Canada allows students to look at the history, discuss the present, and predict a possible future for four factors in the development of Canada: the forest industry (including junior forest wardens); the communication system (particularly the media); the government (explained simply and well); and immigration (who are Canadians?). Easy-to-read and interesting narrative and expository text are well-balanced and accompanied by many full-coloured illustrations, maps, and charts. Each section begins with a teaching story, then looks at how our systems began in Canada, goes on to describe present realities, and then asks questions and looks at possible future prospects. I believe children can relate well to this attractive social studies text book. The emphasis is on participatory democracy; encouraging children to think and become informed and involved. The teacher's book begins with the philosophy and scope of the whole Eplorations program, grades 1 to 6. and discusses the special features of the student book. Part III follows the text step-by-step through the four sections of forestry, communications, government, and immigration. Included are teaching suggestions, planning charts, classroom-tested activities, annotated bibliographies, mapping skills, report writing, games, and masters. The publisher states that the Explorations program is now authorized for use, in whole or part, in the Yukon, British Columbia, Alberta, the Northwest Territories, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, and Newfoundland, and will be available in English and French by the fall of 1987. Gerri Young, Fort Nelson, B.C.