________________ CM . . . . Volume V Number 19 . . . . May 21, 1999

cover Crazy for Canada.

Noa Schwartz. Illustrated by Mick Beaumont and Susan Tebutt.
Downsview, ON: Tumbleweed Press (Distributed by McClelland & Stewart), 1997.
23 pp., pbk., $6.99.
ISBN 0-9680678-2-4.

Subject Headings:
Canada-Juvenile fiction.
Stories in rhyme.
Beavers-Fiction

Preschool-grade 3 / Ages 4-8.
Review by Joan Payzant.

*** /4

excerpt:

While fishing in the Maritimes
It became so clear to me
From the Pacific to Atlantic
There's no place I'd rather be.
inside picture Crazy for Canada is a book of short poems for children about selected sites across our country. Also on each double spread page is a "Did you know?" bit of trivia. The illustrations are noteworthy, large coloured photographs of plasticine figures against plasticine backgrounds, reminiscent of the English Wallace and Grommit award winning videos. Each page also has a plasticine map of Canada shown on a postage stamp, with an arrow pointing to the large white dot that identifies the location of the poem's subject matter.

      It is unfortunate that Yukon, the new territory of Nunavut, and the provinces of New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland have been left out entirely, while Ontario and Quebec have double recognition each. The author has erred by not even a mention of Newfoundland, presumably thinking it is one of the Maritime Provinces. For the record, Newfoundland is included in the phrase, "Atlantic Provinces," whereas "Maritime Provinces" refers only to New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia.

      While Crazy for Canada makes for entertaining reading and has great artistic merit, it is clearly geographically inadequate as teaching material.

Recommended with Reservations.

Joan Payzant is a tetchy, pedantic, former Maritime teacher-librarian.

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

TABLE OF CONTENTS FOR THIS ISSUE - MAY 21, 1999.

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