Victoria Day. (Celebrations in My World). Lynn Peppas. St. Catharines, ON: Crabtree, 2012. 32 pp., pbk. & hc., $9.95 (pbk.), $20.76 (RLB.). ISBN 978-0-7787-4093-3 (pbk.), ISBN 978-0-7787-4088-9 (RLB). Subject Heading: Victoria Day-Juvenile literature. Grades 1-3 / Ages 6-8. Review by Suzanne Pierson. ****/4

excerpt:

Queen Victoria was born on May 24, 1819. She ruled the British Empire, including Canada, from 1837 until 1901. Queen Victoria’s birthday was celebrated in Canada since the beginning of her reign. In 1845, her birthday, May 24, was declared a holiday.

Victoria Day is part of the “Celebrations in My World” series by Crabtree Publishing. Author Lynn Peppas has written a simple text to explain the Canadian tradition behind the long weekend in May that signals the start of warmer weather activities for many. Her sense of humour shows through in her informational insert that explains a common term used for the “Victoria Day Weekend”.

DID YOU KNOW? Some Canadians call the Victoria Day long weekend the May Two-Four. “Two-four” stands for the 24th – the day of Queen Victoria’s birthday!

      Information in this book is presented in a colourful format with large primary text, clear photos and illustrations. Terms, such as heritage and reign, are highlighted in bold print and explained in a simple glossary at the end of the book. There is also a brief index at the back of the book and a table of contents at the front.

      In addition to the British traditions incorporated in Victoria Day celebrations, Victoria Day also explains the origins of “Bread and Cheese Day”, celebrated by the Six Nations on May 24, and “National Patriots’ Day” celebrations on May 24 in Quebec.

      My only quibble with Victoria Day is that the quiz at the end of the book does not include any open-ended or higher order thinking questions. To me, it is a waste of ink to include a question like “Victoria is the capital city of British Columbia. Who is it named after?”

      It is nice to have a book about a Canadian celebration to include with books celebrating other important days around the world. This book earns its place on my shelf by its inclusive content and Canadian focus.

Highly Recommended.

Suzanne Pierson is a retired teacher-librarian, currently instructing Librarianship courses at Queen’s University in Kingston, ON.

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

Copyright © the Manitoba Library Association. Reproduction for personal use is permitted only if this copyright notice is maintained. Any other reproduction is prohibited without permission.

Published by The Manitoba Library Association ISSN 1201-9364

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