Canadian must-reads, from the lighthearted to the heartfelt
Oh, Canada. Our home and native land deserves a special kind of celebration for its 150th milestone. And one way many authors are celebrating is with a keepsake book. From photo books to heartfelt personal stories, there is a wide array of tomes taking over bookstores this year in honour of Canada’s big birthday. Here are a few of our favourites.
The World Needs More Canada INDIGO
This epic compilation gives the mic to some of Canada’s most influential people — from chef Vikram Vij and astronaut Chris Hadfield to activist Sheila Watt-Cloutier and actor Donald Sutherland — to sound off on what makes Canada so great, what this country means to them and more. The collection of short personal essays, quotes and questionnaires is sure to provoke thought, conversation and maybe even a few tears. Indigo Press | $24.99
You Might Be From Canada If ... MICHAEL de ADDER
Looking for a book that’s a bit less heavy (literally and figuratively) than a full-on history? Talented Canadian cartoonist Michael de Adder provides just that with this satirical book. From Canadians’ penchant for saying sorry, to our appreciation for all things hockey, the book takes a lighthearted look at what it means to be Canadian. MacIntyre Purcell Publishing | $19.95
Canada: An Illustrated History DEREK HAYES
Remember how boring, yet informative, your high school history textbooks were? Well, this is definitely not one of those. While the full-colour read provides all the facts and figures of an educational book, it’s not at all sleepy. The 296-page narrative captures the country’s story — from the early days of exploration and settlement all the way to the 2015 federal election — plus, it includes 450 illustrations, more than 50 paintings by Canadian artists, maps, stamps, cartoons ... the list goes on. Douglas & McIntyre | $36.95
Canada 150 Colouring Book PAUL COVELLO AND LEOR BOSHI
Get busy adding colour to some of Canada’s best-known landmarks and imagery with this colouring book. In honour of the country’s 150th birthday, the book’s creators have rounded up 150 scenes that “celebrate the beauty of our home and native land,” including the Inuksuk, polar bears and Canada geese. HarperCollins | $19.99
The Year Canadians Lost Their Minds and Found Their Country: The Centennial of 1967 TOM HAWTHORN
Do you recall what Canada’s 100th birthday was like? Regardless of your answer, this book brings the country’s celebrations into full colour with period photographs, illustrations and stories from the people who lived the weird, wonderful and sometimes wacky ways events were staged across the country in 1967. Douglas & McIntyre | $26.95
This Is Nowhere: Photographs From The British Columbia Coast JEREMY KORESKI
Not so much a love letter to Canada as it is specifically to British Columbia, this hardcover tome is not to be missed. The full-colour pictures from talented photographer Jeremy Koreski take the reader on a visual journey that includes up-close encounters with sea lions in the Salish Sea to an epic aerial shot of Lovekin Rock at Long Beach. The book includes a selection of short stories from five authors, including Gisele Maria Martin and Keith Malloy. Hemlock Printers | $65
Positively Canadian: A Fun Guide to Canadian Language, Culture and History HEATHER ANN PATTULLO
Intended to be a “style guide” for new Canadians, this book features language, culture and historic elements of Canada — as well as regional highlights by province. The book also provides a few Englishlanguage workbook exercises for added education. Tellwell Talent | $20.95
Chicken Soup For The Soul: The Spirit of Canada: 101 Stories of Love & Gratitude AMY NEWMARK AND JANET MATTHEWS
The much-read Chicken Soup book series serves up a helping of heartwarming Canadiana with a collection of stories from national writers that are meant to read like “love letters to this vast and beautiful country.” From hockey anecdotes to tales of sweet summer adventures, this book provides a first-person glimpse into the lives of Canadians. Simon & Schuster Canada | $17.95
The Promise of Canada: 150 Years — People and Ideas That Have Shaped Our Country CHARLOTTE GRAY
Much like every country — and everything, really — key people and key ideas shape our past, present and future. Author Charlotte Gray dives into this idea, singling out the people in a “top-down approach” who have shaped this nation, including Emily Carr, Margaret Atwood and George-Étienne Cartier. Simon & Schuster Canada | $39.99
The Colour of Canada: With An Introduction by Roy MacGregor ALL CANADA PHOTOS
For the collector — or even the most casual fan of Canada — the latest iteration of The Colour of Canada features a treasure trove of new imagery from across the country. Originally released in 1967, the book has since been revised and reissued in 1972, 1978, 1982 and 1992. McClelland & Stewart | $24