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Children's Nonfiction Historical

Kids Book of Great Canadian Women, The

by (author) Elizabeth MacLeod

illustrated by John Mantha

Publisher
Kids Can Press
Initial publish date
Feb 2006
Category
Historical, Girls & Women, General
  • Hardback

    ISBN
    9781553378204
    Publish Date
    Feb 2006
    List Price
    $19.95

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Where to buy it

Out of print

This edition is not currently available in bookstores. Check your local library or search for used copies at Abebooks.

Recommended Age, Grade, and Reading Levels

  • Age: 8 to 12
  • Grade: 3 to 7

Description

From artists and inventors to astronauts and engineers, Canadian women have played an extraordinary role in the development of Canada. In this title in the Kids Book of series, meet more than 130 women and read about their amazing feats in exploration, science, the arts, politics and many other fields. Some made their mark hundreds of years ago, while others are changing Canada today.

In this groundbreaking overview, you'll find names both famous and less familiar. But every one of these great women needed determination and courage to succeed, and their stories continue to inspire.

Kids can read about wheelchair athlete Chantal Petitclerc, who won five gold medals at the 2004 Paralympic Games; singer Sarah McLachlan, whose all-women Lilith Fair musical festivals raised more than $7 million for charity; and Harriet Brooks Pitcher, who made important discoveries in the field of radioactivity at a time when it was difficult for women to get a university education.

About the authors

Liz is one nosy author, which is why she loves writing non-fiction. She’s very curious about why people do what they do, and likes sharing with kids the amazing facts and secrets that she uncovers.As a kid in Thornhill, Ontario, the idea of being a writer never crossed Liz’s mind—she figured most authors were already dead and they definitely weren’t Canadian. Besides, it was science that interested Liz.But writing was already part of Liz’s life. After dinner on school nights, Liz and her two brothers would trudge up to their rooms, close their doors and start to do their homework—or so their parents thought. A few minutes later, a piece of paper would come sliding under Liz’s door. One of her brothers had drawn a picture, usually of some weird creature.Liz really couldn’t draw (still can’t!), so the only way she could respond was to write a short story, often about a mad scientist or space alien. She would slip the story under her brother’s door and—well, not a lot of homework got done.At university, Liz studied sciences—there was hardly any writing involved at all. But after university, she was hired as an editor at OWL magazine, where she could combine writing and her love of science. But it wasn’t long before Liz had a goal: to write a book. Her first one was about lions and since then she’s written more than fifty others.Royal Murder: The Deadly Intrigue of Ten Sovereigns (2008) is one of her favourite books because royalty has always fascinated Liz. She loved going behind the scenes with monarchs from Cleopatra to Dracula to find out just what they would do to hold onto power or protect their families.Bones Never Lie: How Forensics Helps Solve History’s Mysteries (2013) was the winner of numerous awards, including the Crime Writers of Canada 2014 Arthur Ellis Award in the Juvenile/YA category. Liz’s latest book with Annick Press, Galloping Through History: Incredible True Horse Stories (Spring 2015), combines, once again, her outstanding storytelling skills with her passion for history. This time her love of animals also shines through as she recounts the stories of six horses that changed the way humans live, travel, fight, work, and play.Liz lives in Toronto with her husband, Paul, and their cat Cosimo. While she writes, he is usually sprawled across her desk—often right on the book she needs for research!

Elizabeth MacLeod's profile page

John Mantha is a Toronto-based artist and illustrator. Born in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, he graduated with honours from the Ontario College of Art. John is the illustrator of twenty-six books including The Kids Book of Canada's Railway and The Kids Book of Canadian Exploration.

John Mantha's profile page

Awards

  • Short-listed, Information Book Award, Children's Literature Roundtables of Canada

Editorial Reviews

The Kids Book of Great Canadian Women features thumbnail biographies of over 130 women who have, at some point, called this country home. Including politicians, scientists, and artists, the collection covers a wide range of subjects, supported by an index and historical timeline that puts these individual lives in context. The usual suspects retain their top spots (we can never omit Laura Secord), but care has been taken to include First Nations women, women with disabilities, and women of colour. Author Elizabeth MacLeod has penned several biographies for children ... and writes accessible and tidy narratives suited for readers aged eight to 12.

Quill & Quire

Librarian Reviews

The Kids Book of Great Canadian Women (Kids Book of...)

Learn about the achievements of more than 130 great Canadian women from singer Sarah McLachlan to astronaut Roberta Bondar.

Source: The Canadian Children’s Book Centre. Canadian Children’s Book News. 2007.

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