Pictou Town

With short lines and a singsong rhythm, Pictou Town is a pleasure to read aloud. As the author takes readers on a tour of historic buildings in the area, her joyful watercolour illustrations bring out the character of each building, making them feel larger than life. The watercolours soften the appearance of some of the buildings, but each is still easy for locals and anyone wandering around the town of Pictou to recognize.

The “List of Buildings, Dates of Construction, and Locations” at the end of the book will be appreciated by anyone not familiar with the town and anyone from the area who may be stumped or curious about dates of construction. The only thing missing is a few of the archival photographs MacKenzie mentions in her dedication, especially in cases like Mortimer House where the original building is no longer standing.

In the forward, Pictou Town is accurately described as a ‘visual love poem’. Readers big and small will feel the love and nostalgia the author/illustrator has for the town of Pictou. That love is evident in the afterword as well where the author delves into the history of Pictou all the way back to the first Scottish settlers who landed on the ship Hector. As flowery as the story, even the afterword is a wonderful read although more attention could be paid to how the arrival of settlers impacted the Mi’kmaq who have been in Mi’kma’ki (‘Nova Scotia’ to settlers) for thousands of years, long before European settlers arrived. The author notes, “Although they did not come to a nameless and empty wilderness, the newcomers quickly tried to remake the place in their own image.” There is no mention of the Mi’kmaq after the settlers meet them. In a time of reconciliation, acknowledgment that Nova Scotia remains the unceded territory of the Mi’kmaq people, as well as acknowledgment of the negative impact settlers had on the Mi’kmaq and the Mi’kmaq’s resilience and continued presence throughout Nova Scotia, including Pictou Landing, would provide a more balanced depiction of the town.

Pictou Town is a highly enjoyable read, especially when read aloud, and a great guide for tourists and locals looking to see Pictou through the eyes of someone who loves architecture as much as MacKenzie loves Pictou itself.