The Kids Book of Canadian History provides an extensive, accessible introduction to the story of our country suitable for readers ages eight to 12. Author Carlotta Hacker’s background as a contributing editor to The Junior Encyclopedia of Canada shows in her approach, which covers from pre-contact times to 2001 and provides an overview rather than in-depth analysis of Canadian history. This book works well as a classroom or family reference alongside more specialized materials on particular topics. The brevity of entries makes this book ideal for dipping into, aided by the table of contents and a capable index, although the format results in a fragmented narrative, particularly when a single page addresses as many as four separate topics. John Mantha’s extensive illustrations break up the text and add historic flavour, although his human figures, especially in battle scenes, often look unrealistic.

Canadian History is admirable in its scope and in its attention to the issues and history of First Peoples, women, and Western Canada. Although some oversights were inevitable, omissions such as Emily Carr and the Oka Crisis were surprising. Since two-thirds of the text focuses on pre-20th-century events, coverage of the last 100 years is at times cursory. The First World War, for example, takes up only one-third of a page and the Halifax Explosion a half-sentence, despite their significant impact on contemporary Canadian society and identity. Still, Canadian History offers a much-needed up-to-date chronicle of Canadian life for elementary school audiences.