Canada’s Natural Wonders. (Canada Up Close). Joanne Richter. Toronto, ON: Scholastic Canada, 2008. 64 pp., pbk., $6.99. ISBN 978-0-545-99780-5. Subject Headings: Natural monuments-Canada-Juvenile literature. Physical geography-Canada-Juvenile literature. Grades 1-4 / Ages 6-9. Review by Rosemary Hollett. *** /4

excerpt:

Did you know that the Bay of Fundy has the highest tides in the world? Or that the Rockies are among the youngest mountains? Canada is a large and beautiful country, shaped by many different forces. Canada's Natural Wonders looks at the forces that have shaped this beautiful country and given us fantastic landmarks like the Rocky Mountains, The Alberta Badlands, Niagara Falls, the Bay of Fundy and more.

     Canada's Natural Wonders is the latest addition to the “Canada Up Close” series. This small volume, written by Joanne Richter, highlights nine of Canada's unique landforms. Each is given a chapter of its own, and the landmarks include Mount Logan, Manicouagan Crater, Gros Morne National Park and the Athabasca Sand Dunes.


     Each chapter is accompanied by several color photographs and text boxes. All of the photographs have excellent captions.


     The text itself is large and, given the intended audience, simple to understand. I like the fact that some of the text is explained in terms the young reader can grasp. For example,

Most [glaciers] move only 100 to 200 metres each year. You might walk that distance in a minute or two.

The highest peak, Mount Logan, is 5,959 metres tall. That's higher than 10 CN Towers stacked on top of one another!

     There is a short introduction, a table of contents and a glossary at the back of the book. There is no index.


     Chapter One consists of several pages explaining two of the natural forces that form mountains, lakes and waterfalls. Movement of the earth's crust and glaciers are introduced here and may provide a beginning to more in-depth discussion and study.


     This book would be a great choice for the nonfiction section of the school or public library. Young readers wishing to know more about Canada, earth science and Canada's attractions will appreciate it.

Recommended.

Rosemary Hollett is Librarian at St. Emile School in Winnipeg, MB.

To comment on this title or this review, send mail to cm@umanitoba.ca.

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Published by The Manitoba Library Association ISSN 1201-9364

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