Posted in biography, Black History Month, Canadian, discussion, essential library book, historical fiction, nonfiction, picture book, read aloud, read and watch, tagged Black History Month, heritage minutes, racism, segregation, VIola Desmond on February 1, 2017| Leave a Comment »
There are so many great picture books to read with kids for Black History Month, but this year try this true story:
Viola Desmond was arrested in 1946 in Halifax for sitting on the main floor rather than the balcony in a theatre. Because she was a non-white patron, theatre employees insisted Desmond sit in the balcony. She refused and was taken away by the police. Viola Desmond’s face will now be printed on Canada’s ten dollar bill. An essential library book.
Posted in Aboriginal Resources, Canadian, essential library book, local, nature, picture book, read aloud, start with a book, tagged E.Pauline Johnson, Northshore peaks, Sandra Butt, Squamish Nation, The Lions, The Two Sisters, Vancouver on January 29, 2017| Leave a Comment »
The Two Sisters, a tale from the Squamish Nation, that explains the existence of two iconic peaks on the north shore of Vancouver. If you live in the lower mainland, you probably know these peaks as The Lions. This beautifully illustrated book is loved by teachers and students. Never in the library and always in use, I hope to purchase another two copies. As one grade 4 student told me, “I can see them from my front window!”
An essential library book. Great for launching writing and art projects.
Posted in Aboriginal Resources, art, Canadian, essential library book, graphic novel, memoir, Uncategorized, tagged Gord Downie, Indian Residential School, Joseph Boyden, Secret Path, truth and reconciliation on November 14, 2016| Leave a Comment »
Beautifully illustrated, large format graphic novel by The Tragically Hip’s Gord Downie, is the true story of Chanie Wenjack, a young Aboriginal boy who escapes Indian Residential School to return home, with tragic results.
See the animated film here.
For adults and older students, read Joseph Boyden’s Wenjack.
Posted in ABC, art, Canadian, essential library book, information storybook, nature, picture book, read aloud, tagged Deboarh Hodge, west coast on March 29, 2016| Leave a Comment »
Another wonderful book by local author, Deborah Hodge, West Coast Wild is a gorgeous ABC book with lots of information about local wildlife and habitats. Read aloud and make connections, be inspired to research local animals and write a class ABC book, and learn more about the area we live in. An essential library book for all westcoast schools. Karen Reczuck‘s stunning, realistic watercolours are evocative and compelling.
Posted in Canadian, en francais, humour, picture book, read aloud, Uncategorized, tagged Marianne Dubuc on December 11, 2015| Leave a Comment »
Canadian author and illustrator Marianne Dubuc is my latest favourite. I first fell in love with the illustrations in Le Lion et L’Oiseau. Simply stunning. I love her use of line for texture and non-rectangular panels.
I’ve been reading Animal Masquerade to many classes Kindergarten to Grade 3. After the Kindergartens found the book hysterical, I wasn’t sure the older students would appreciate it, but they did! Every page kids get to call out their guesses and when you flip the page? They laugh and even scream.
Marianne Dubuc has several other picture books, written in French and some translated to English. I’ll let you know how they go over with the kids.
Posted in Aboriginal Resources, art, Canadian, picture book, read aloud, writing prompt, tagged animal guide, animals, Anishinaabe, totem, totem animals on October 23, 2015| Leave a Comment »
Sometimes I Feel Like a Fox is a beautifully illustrated little book. Each spread has a lovely portrait of a child as a particular animal and a couple simple lines about why they feel like that animal.
Perfect for a writing prompt, art lesson, or discussing Anishinaabe totem animals – animal guides.
Posted in Canadian, historical fiction, novel, Young Adult, tagged Chinese Canadians, coolies, CPR, Gold Mountain, goldrush, paul yee, railway on October 5, 2015| Leave a Comment »
After working many years in British Columbia, Yang Hok is just about to board a ship back home to China, when his former lover appears, leaving their son in his care. Unwilling to bring home a half Chinese half Aboriginal child, Yang Hok searches for the boy’s mother. Will Yang find her before his ticket home expires?
Set in 1885, after the completion of the railway, A Superior Man depicts what life was like for early Chinese immigrants and migrant workers in British Columbia.
Well known for his gripping and often dark tales for kids, Paul Yee’s most recent novel is targeted at adults, and would be appropriate for older secondary school kids.
Also a fabulous storyteller, Paul Yee will be in town this fall doing several readings.
Posted in Canadian, Professional Resource, teaching resource, website on September 23, 2015| Leave a Comment »
Interested in teaching about Chinese Canadian history in BC? Bamboo Shoots is an amazing and FREE online resource that has full units for grades 5 and 10. All materials are downloadable.
Posted in Aboriginal Resources, art, Canadian, discussion, essential library book, memoir, nonfiction, poetry, writing prompt, tagged aboriginal, home, identity on June 25, 2015| Leave a Comment »
Dreaming in Indian is a collection of writing, memoir, artwork and poetry, by Aboriginal artists exploring what it was like for them growing up. A fabulous read and essential for all libraries, this would be a great book to read with older students for prompting deep discussion or writing. Check out art by Bunky Echo-Hawk, wise words from Olympic swimmer Waneek Horn-Miller, and childhood reflections by Joseph Boyden.
Posted in Canadian, discussion, picture book, read aloud, social responsibility, tagged animal rescue, dolphin, rescue on March 2, 2015| Leave a Comment »
I love this true story of three dolphins trapped in an icy cove and the townspeople who are moved to help. I read this lovely book to a group of enraptured kindergartners. It would also be a hit with older students.
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