About Scholastic Canada Biographies

This series presents the true life stories of significant people in Canada's history, past and present. The books are designed for 7 to 9-year-olds to read themselves, and for all Canadians to enjoy.

Canadian Heroes

by Maxine Trottier

Scholastic Canada Biographies series

• Keep watch with young Madeleine de Verchères as she defends the fort from attack.
• Care for the wounded in the remote mountains of China with Norman Bethune.
• Shadow Tommy Prince as he scouts out the enemy and reports their position.
• Marvel at our earth with Roberta Bondar on the space shuttle Discovery.
• Cheer Terry Fox through another day of his cross-Canada Marathon of Hope.

Canadian Artists

by Maxine Trottier

Scholastic Canada Biographies series

• Take a sleigh ride through the village with Cornelius Krieghoff.
• Marvel at ancient trees and totem poles with Emily Carr.
• Meet Tom Thomson sketching on a trail in the woods.
• See the magic in a simple scene through Alex Colville's eyes.
• Join Kenojuak on a fishing trip and discover the patterns of nature.

These five fascinating biographies tell the stories of five Canadians whose visual gifts have given us unique glimpses of Canada. Included are the lives of Cornelius Krieghoff, who recorded 19th century life in Quebec, and Tom Thomson, who glorified the woodlands of northern Ontario. Also featured are Emily Carr, the west coast impressionist, Alex Colville, the east coast magic-realist, and Kenojuak Ashevak, the celebrated Inuit printmaker.

Shortlisted for the 2006 Information Book Award

The prolific, award-winning Maxine Trottier scores another hit with Canadian Artists in the “Scholastic Canada Biographies” series. Young readers will be captivated by the biographies of five of Canada's most celebrated artists, each of whom has travelled a unique and often difficult path for the sake of art. — Elizabeth Larssen.

Short listed for the 2006-2007 Hackmatack Children's Choice Book Award

Canadian Explorers

by Maxine Trottier

Scholastic Canada Biographies series

• Sail up the St. Lawrence River with Jacques Cartier to the Iroquois village of Stadacona.
• Stand fast with Samuel de Champlain, struggling to keep his settlement alive in the heart of New France.
• Travel through the wilds with Pierre de la Vérendrye, on foot and by canoe, westward to Winnipeg.
• Trek across the Barren Lands with Samuel Hearne, all the way to the Arctic Ocean.
• Follow David Thompson through mountain passes and down rivers, from Hudson Bay to the Pacific.

Shortlisted for the 2006 Information Book Award

Canadian Leaders

by Maxine Trottier

Scholastic Canada Biographies series

 

Read about five Canadians who led the way and made a difference to our country.

• Celebrate with Sir John A. Macdonald as Canada becomes a Dominion on July 1, 1867.
• Guard the door as Jeanne Mance tends the wounded in her hospital in the wilderness.
• Ride west with Sir Sam Steele and first North West Mounted Police force.
• Stand tall with Joseph Brant as he persuades the king of England to support the Iroquois.
• Smile with Pierre Trudeau as Queen Elizabeth II signs the Constitution Act on Parliament Hill.

Canadian Stars

by Maxine Trottier

published by Scholastic Canada

Read the fascinating life stories of five famous and talented Canadian
entertainers.

• Cheer for Shania Twain as she overcomes difficult times to write and sing the songs she loves.
• Walk in the shoes of performer Tom Jackson, and take a step along the path of helping others.
• Laugh as comedian Mike Myers's inventive mind creates another unforgettable character.
• Applaud when actor Michael J. Fox succeeds on screen, and tackles illness with courage.
• Marvel as a shy little girl, Céline Dion, thrills an audience with her voice.

Canadian Greats

by Maxine Trottier

illustrated by Mark Thurman

published by Scholastic Canada

Read the fascinating stories of five great Canadians who made our country proud.

• Scramble through the woods with Laura Secord, as she hurries to warn of an attack.
• Huddle in the cockpit with Billy Bishop, flying over the fields of France to meet the enemy.
• Applaud Nellie McClung, as she fights with energy and humour for women's rights.
• Stay late in the lab with Frederick Banting, labouring to find a cure for diabetes.
• And cheer for Wayne Gretzky, the greatest example of skill and sportsmanship in Canada's game of hockey.

 

These high interest stories are great for introducing Canadian figures and are a good purchase for elementary schools and public
Recommended by Canadian Materials.

Canadian Pioneers

by Maxine Trottier

illustrated by Alan and Lea Daniel

published by Scholastic Canada

Read the amazing stories of five pioneers who helped shape our country.

• Till the soil with Louis Hébert, who came from Paris to become Canada's first pioneer.
• Cling to a voyageur canoe with Marie-Anne Gaboury, as terrible storms strike Lake Superior.
• Fight along side John Crysler, a Loyalist defending his land.
• Flee a burning cabin with Susanna Moodie, an English gentlewoman roughing it in the bush.
• And thresh grain with Wasyl Eleniak, who journeyed from Ukraine to build a future on the prairies.

Shortlisted for the 2006 Information Book Award

The Canadian Review of Materials Volume X Number 9, January 2, 2004 recommends both Canadian Greats and Canadian Pioneers.

To see the entire review and get excerpts of these two novels, click here.