"Aboriginal Peoples of Canada Series":
Métis by Jennifer Howse,
Denesuline by Carol Koopmans,
Cree by Erin Banting,
Blackfoot by Anna Rebus,
Salish by Christine Webster
Weigl Educational Publishers Ltd., 2011.

Rating: G*

These five books are the latest in Aboriginal Peoples of Canada Series. As a complement to late primary/early intermediate social studies curriculum, this series is written with the younger student in mind. Each book has nine two-page chapters with high interest visual information and easy to read text. The first section on People introduces the people, their traditional lands and their language. Sections on Homes describes traditional as well as modern homes. The Clothing section features colourful photographs of traditional clothing and information about materials used and methods of construction. Food sources are covered in the Hunting and Gathering sections using real colour photographs. The Tools section highlights some of the tools which were used for completing daily tasks. Specific information about how the tools were made and what they were used for is well documented. Moving From Place to Place describes how some tribes moved and why they travelled. Music and Dance and Art are highlighted as an important part of First Nations culture. Each book contains a native story and an art activity as well as a glossary and an index. Some chapters have sidebar "Netlinks", which provide internet links, for further investigation and more in-depth study. Several of the books have small icon symbols from the particular tribe to highlight an "Ideas"bubble that gives additional information on particular topics. The illustrations are a mixture of historical and colourful contemporary photographs of artifacts and drawings.

The books contain enough information for the early research student without appearing overwhelming. They would also serve well for the higher intermediate ESL student.

This series would be a useful addition to a school or classroom library.

Thematic Links: Aboriginal Peoples - Canada; Legends

Victoria Pennell
Vol. 16, number 2
December 2010

*Rating System:
E - Excellent, enduring, everyone should see it!
G - Good, even great at times, generally useful!
A - Average, all right, has its applications.
P - Problematic, puzzling, poorly presented.