Manitoba. (Canada’s Land & People). Harry Beckett. Calgary, AB: Weigl, 2008. 24 pp., hardcover, $22.95. ISBN 978-1-55388-353-1. Subject Heading: Manitoba-Juvenile literature. Grades 3-5 / Ages 8-10. Review by Gail Hamilton. **1/2 /4

excerpt:

Manitoba has many cultures. To celebrate its many cultures, Manitoba holds an annual festival called Folklorama. This festival is held in August in Winnipeg. It lasts for two weeks. No other multicultural festival in the world lasts this long. During the festival, pavilions are scattered throughout Winnipeg. Each pavilion displays the culture of a certain country. These displays include food, music, dancing, and handicrafts.

Part of the 13-volume “Canada’s Land & People” series, this title focuses on Canada’s sixth largest province, Manitoba, also known as the “Keystone Province.” The book is comprised of nine chapters plus a quiz, a list of three websites for further research (under “Books,” the author simply directs the reader to a public library), an index and a glossary. Topics include the landscape, climate, a very limited section on flora and fauna, natural resources, a very brief history, art and culture, points of interest and sports and activities. Manitoba’s flag, coat of arms and provincial animal and flower are shown.

     Throughout the book, there are a couple activities to try, one example being the planning of a trip to Manitoba and deciding which places to visit. A chapter entitled “What Others are Saying” provides four fairly lengthy quotes about Manitoba, but the speakers are not identified. The text is rather basic, as is the information provided. In fact, there are a great many facts omitted from the text, including important parts of the province’s history, major animals and plants, points of interest, sports and festivals. The Red River Exhibition, held yearly in late June, is described as an event which “celebrates the history of Winnipeg,” quite an overstatement in this reviewer’s opinion.

     The strength of this book lies in its illustrations, which, with the exception of two maps, consist of beautiful colour photographs.

     Unfortunately, students who read this book will not get the whole picture of what Manitoba is really like. There are 24 pages in all, with only 16 of them providing usable information, making this title a little pricey.

Recommended with reservations.

Gail Hamilton is a teacher-librarian in Winnipeg, MB.

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

Hosted by the University of Manitoba.

 

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