Canada
(French)
165
Chastenay, Pierre (text)
DesRosiers, Sophie / Taillefer, Heidi (illus.)
Je deviens astronome (I’ll become an astronomer)
Waterloo (Québec) : Quintin, 2002. – 47 p.
(Astro-jeunes)
ISBN 2-89435-197-6
Astronomy – Planets – Stars
This introduction to astronomy does not only impart well-founded basic
knowledge in a comprehensible way to children; at the same time, it also
encourages them to join in and conduct experiments themselves. The author, who
works as an astronomer at the observatory in Montreal, begins with celestial
objects that can be spotted with the naked eye. Building on general knowledge,
he gradually increases the complexity of technical requirements and of the
theoretical background from chapter to chapter. The child’s interaction is
always counted on because the clearly structured non-fiction book with its
informative pictures includes models and instructions for building various
devices to watch the sky. (8+)
166
Gingras, Charlotte (text)
Jorisch, Stéphane (illus.)
La boîte à bonheur (The lucky chest)
Montréal (Québec) : Courte Échelle, 2003. – 62 p.
(Mon roman; 3: Intimiste) – ISBN 2-89021-668-3
Parents – Divorce – Piano – Search
This sensitive novel shows how important music can be, especially in difficult
situations. Clara’s life is a complete chaos right now: Her father has
fallen in love with another woman, her two older sisters blame their mother
for the failure of the marriage, and the mother is in despair. When they move
into a smaller flat and eventually even sell the piano, Clara almost loses all
hope. She starts searching for the beloved instrument which had been a family
heirloom for generations and – as »lucky chest« – had always offered
some kind of emotional support to her and her mother, formerly a famous
singer. Despite the depressing real-life topic, the story is presented in a
light-hearted tone and particularly touches the readers because it is written
in first person. (10+)
167
Rouy, Maryse
L’Insolite Coureur des bois (The unsusual trapper)
Montréal : Hurtubise HMH, 2003. – 139 p.
(Collection Atout ; 84 : Histoire)
ISBN 2-89428-664-3
Orphan – Trapper – Fur trade – Journey – Native people – Canada/1753
In the 18th century, those men in
the French colony of Canada who circumvented the official fur trade in the St.
Lawrence valley and travelled to Indian settlements were called »Coureurs des
bois« (trappers). In many cases, they were the first Europeans who came into
contact with the various tribes. In 1753, the young orphan Baptistine also
becomes a trapper. Fleeing from the cruel landlady for whom she has to work,
the girl dresses as a boy and joins three other trappers. On the one hand, the
strength of the text lies in its precise description of the various
characters. On the other hand, the presentation of the trappers’ experiences
and their encounter with a native tribe offers young readers a demanding yet
entertaining look into Canadian history. (10+)
168
Tibo, Gilles (text)
Lafrance, Marie (illus.)
Émilie pleine de jouets (Émilie full of toys)
Saint-Lambert (Québec) : Dominique et Compagnie, 2003. – [32] p.
ISBN 2-89512-309-8. - 2-89512-310-1
Girl – Talent – Toys – Father – Rescue
Émilie is not like other girls. Whenever she closes her hand and opens it
again, a toy appears on it. Motivated by caring love, the parents and Émilie
herself try to make the best of this magic talent. Toy cars, spinning tops,
dolls, and balls are given to old or sick people in the village, some are used
as firewood, or piled up as a sculpture of toys. One day, after the girl has
saved her father from drowning at sea with her skill, life changes: ȃmilie
full of toys« turns into »Émilie full of love«. Like a recurrent theme,
the girl dressed in red pops up in all the illustrations, which – even in
the most dramatic situation such as the rescue at sea – are soothed by the
sensitive text. (4+)
169
Various (text)
Roberts, Bruce (illus.)
Noir, blanc ou poil de carotte : des enfants écrivent contre le racisme
(Black, white, or redhead: children write against racism)
Montréal (Québec) : Les 400 Coups, 2003. – 39 p.
(Carré Blanc)
ISBN 2-89540-158-6
Racism – Tolerance – Religion – Interculturality
They are nine, ten, or eleven; boys and girls of different ethnic origin or
social class, and all of them have decided to write against racism. Out of
about 300 ‘protests’ against racism, eight teachers from various schools
in Quebec have selected 16 representative examples of different genres – a diary entry, a poem, an essay, a fairy tale,
etc. The result is not a didactic textbook but rather a kaleidoscope of fear
of intolerance yet also of hope for tolerance and a peaceful dialogue. The
children’s texts are embedded in the declaration of human rights and the
sketchy, partly symbolical illustrations of well-known artist Bruce Roberts. (10+)<>