Canada Day. (Canadian Celebrations). Heather Kissock. Calgary, AB: Weigl, 2010. 24 pp., pbk. & hc., $10.95 (pbk.), $22.95 (hc.). ISBN 978-1-55388-525-2 (pbk.), ISBN 978-1-55388-520-7 (hc.). Subject Heading: Canada Day-Juvenile literature. Grades 1-3 / Ages 6-8. Review by Gail Hamilton. *** /4
	Chinese New Year. (Canadian Celebrations). Heather C. Hudak. Calgary, AB: Weigl, 2010. 24 pp., pbk. & hc., $10.95 (pbk.), $22.95 (hc.). ISBN 978-1-55388-527-6 (pbk.), ISBN 978-1-55388-522-1 (hc.). Subject Heading: Chinese New Year-Canada-Juvenile literature. Grades 1-3 / Ages 6-8. Review by Gail Hamilton. *** /4
	National Aboriginal Day. (Canadian Celebrations). Heather C. Hudak. Calgary, AB: Weigl, 2010. 24 pp., pbk. & hc., $10.95 (pbk.), $22.95 (hc.). ISBN 978-1-55388-526-9 (pbk.), ISBN 978-1-55388-521-4 (hc.). Subject Heading: National Aboriginal Day (Canada)-Juvenile literature. Grades 1-3 / Ages 6-8. Review by Gail Hamilton. *** /4
	Remembrance Day: "Lest We Forget." (Canadian Celebrations). Jill Foran. Calgary, AB: Weigl, 2010. 24 pp., pbk. & hc., $10.95 (pbk.), $22.95 (hc.). ISBN 978-1-55388-523-8 (pbk.), ISBN 978-1-55388-518-4 (hc.). Subject Heading: Remembrance Day (Canada)-Juvenile literature. Grades 1-3 / Ages 6-8. Review by Gail Hamilton. *** /4
	Victoria Day. (Canadian Celebrations). Jill Foran. Calgary, AB: Weigl, 2010. 24 pp., pbk. & hc., $10.95 (pbk.), $22.95 (hc.). ISBN 978-1-55388-524-5 (pbk.), ISBN 978-1-55388-519-1 (hc.). Subject Heading: Victoria Day-Juvenile literature. Grades 1-3 / Ages 6-8. Review by Gail Hamilton. *** /4

excerpt:

To prepare for the New Year, people clean their homes. Tradition says that they should use brooms to sweep out bad luck from the past year. Brooms are put away on the first day of the New Year so good luck cannot be swept out. (From Chinese New Year.)

"Canadian Celebrations," a five-title series, examines some of the special occasions and major holidays that people observe in this country. Each of the books is comprised of 10 chapters, all double-page spreads, with text on the left and illustrations on the right. The featured holiday's history, symbols, traditions and activities are explained in kid-friendly language. However, the main strength of these titles lies in the illustrations and the attention to detail. Vibrant covers entice the reader while bright, colourful photographs are perfectly suited to the text. The page numbers are printed on theme-related symbols, a few examples being the Chinese lantern in the book about Chinese New Year, and the drum in the book about National Aboriginal Day. A table of contents, a very small picture glossary and a brief index are included.

     Formerly known as Dominion Day, Canada Day, celebrated on July 1st each year, is the anniversary of Confederation. Canadians all over the country attend parades, picnics and fireworks displays and show gratitude for their country. Canada Day also provides the lyrics to the national anthem in both official languages.

      Chinese New Year highlights the 15-day long holiday whose date changes each year according to the position of the sun and moon. Special traditions, foods and good luck symbols associated with the holiday are discussed. The holiday ends with the Lantern Festival during which children carry paper lanterns printed with riddles to the temples. There is one very minor flaw in the book: there is no mention of the 12-animal Chinese zodiac.

      Coinciding with the first day of summer, National Aboriginal Day is held on June 21st. This holiday pays tribute to nature and celebrates the rich cultural heritage of Aboriginal people. National Aboriginal Day also focuses on the history behind the holiday and the various traditional foods, such as wild rice, bannock, beans, squash, corn and berries, which are important to the culture. One positive aspect of this title is that the people in the photographs represent different Aboriginal groups—Haida, Inuit and Métis, to name a few.

      Remembrance Day not only features the history and symbolism of this holiday, but it also discusses peacekeeping missions, the National War Memorial and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier on Parliament Hill. Readers will find the words to the famous poem, "In Flanders's Fields," as well as the meaning behind the Last Post and Reveille, which are played at services of remembrance.

      Victoria Day honours a well-loved British monarch and has been celebrated on the Monday before May 25th since 1845. A little-known fact, discussed in Victoria Day, is that the Six Nations Reserve near Brantford, Ontario, celebrates Bread and Cheese Day, a tradition begun in 1837 when Queen Victoria gave the Six Nations people a gift of bread and cheese to thank them for their help in many battles. Lyrics for God Save the Queen- all three stanzas- are provided. The author states that Victoria Day also symbolizes the end of winter. This statement can be misleading to children—after all, the holiday is in May!

      Serving as a good introduction to the featured holidays, these titles would have a place in a primary classroom.

Recommended.

Gail Hamilton is a former teacher-librarian in Winnipeg, MB.

To comment on this title or this review, send mail to cm@umanitoba.ca.

Copyright © the Manitoba Library Association. Reproduction for personal use is permitted only if this copyright notice is maintained. Any other reproduction is prohibited without permission.

Published by The Manitoba Library Association ISSN 1201-9364

Hosted by the University of Manitoba.

 

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