Canadian Women Now and Then: Guest Review

This review was written by Elizabeth Cook.

 

Written by Elizabeth MacLeod
Illustrated by Maia Faddoul

Kids Can Press

978-1-5253-0061-5

80 pp.

Ages 9-12

2020

I saw this book on a shelf and was interested to see who would be represented inside.  I am so glad I picked it up. Once I opened the cover, I couldn’t put it down. I love how this book is organized. Each double-page spread is organized by a theme such as doctors. One side of the page focuses on an important Canadian woman who spearheaded change in the past and the other side highlights a contemporary woman who continues to be inspirational or influential in their respective fields, hence, the “Now” and “Then” title for the book. This format will engage young readers to learn about the history of women in Canada, but also to find current connections to people they may hear about in the news. The range of vocations selected for this book is excellent. The book highlights women in the roles of culture keepers, activists, Paralympians, filmmakers, entrepreneurs, military members, and so much more.  

From Canadian Women Now and Then by Elizabeth MacLeod, illus. by Maia Faddoul

Elizabeth MacLeod has kept the text brief for each entry. Trying to narrow down the amazing lives of these women must have been a daunting task. Each featured woman has about three to five paragraphs devoted to explaining their lives and achievements. The text is engaging and it kept me reading such that that I completed the book in one sitting. I was drawn in by the stories of these women. Each person is highlighted to show their significance and it sparked my curiosity to do more research on my own. Knowing that every woman who has helped to pave the way for future generations could not be included in the “Then” sections, Elizabeth MacLeod added a text box that features more amazing women with brief notes about their historic roles, thereby offering another great starting point for a reader to conduct further research on that topic. The book also includes a brief timeline of significant events for women throughout history in Canada. I am sure many children will also choose to go forward to research many wonderful Canadian women or events represented in this book. Moreover, Elizabeth MacLeod included quotes from the women showcased and these really spoke to me and I am sure they will inspire young readers to be brave and bold in their lives too. 

 

The artistry in the portraits done by Maia Faddoul is beautiful. The style of the portraits of the women is simple but realistic. Because the pages are dominated by text and white space, Maia Faddoul's artwork really draws your eyes. I also really love the colour palette used throughout the book, for headings, borders and in the portraits. The colours are rich but muted. Because of a lack of bright primary colours, the book feels more significant.

I am excited to add this book to my school library collection. The many contributions of women throughout history have often been ignored and are largely underrepresented in our books on the shelves. I am glad that all students will be able to learn about the fabulous women that have helped shape Canada and that these women will now be represented in  library collections everywhere.

~Elizabeth Cook is a teacher-librarian in the Halton District School Board. She is an avid reader and fan of Canadian literature. 

What Makes Girls Sick and Tired

Written by Lucile de Pesloüan

Illustrated by Geneviève Darling

Second Story Press

978-1-77260-096-4

48 pp.

Ages 12-18

March 2019

I know last Friday was International Women's Day. I was certainly flooded with notices about books celebrating women and their day. But I didn't want to post this review on that day because I didn't want it to get lost in that flood. I think What Makes Girls Sick and Tired deserves to be recognized beyond that day as all women should be.

The girl's frustrated look on the cover says everything about What Makes Girls Sick and Tired. She certainly looks disgusted and weary and, with the plethora of problematic situations which girls must endure, it's no surprise.

From What Makes Girls Sick and Tired by Lucile de Pesloüan, illus. by Geneviève Darling

From how girls are told they should behave and how their societies and cultures treat them, any compassionate human should cringe. Lucile de Pesloüan is candid about how women are treated and the unrealistic and ridiculous expectations settled upon them. From domestic roles and judgements placed upon them to emphasize their appearance and not their substance, women are regularly faced with discrimination and criticism. Worse yet, Lucile de Pesloüan shares devastating stats from the likes of the United Nations UNITE Campaign and the World Economic Forum Global Gender Gap Report 2017 about inequities in wages, vulnerabilities in war and with illness, and more. For those who don't believe that injustices are levelled against girls and women, the numbers don't lie.

From What Makes Girls Sick and Tired by Lucile de Pesloüan, illus. by Geneviève Darling

In graphics of faded lavender, a little grittier than the pinkish purple of the floral, Montreal artist Geneviève Darling provides unique visuals that depict all women. Women of different ages, shapes, colour, relationships, cultures, and circumstance. Everyone is here. She makes sure to ensure inclusivity and diversity. By representing everyone, girls can see their story within, even if those stories are uncomfortable or troubling.

Girls are sick and tired because sexism affects everyone, every day, in ways that are both obvious and subtle and both simple and complex. (pg. 2)

And that's why girls are sick and tired and why they have every right to be.

From What Makes Girls Sick and Tired by Lucile de Pesloüan, illus. by Geneviève Darling

Girls are less sick and tired when they are encouraging, supportive, and united in solidarity with one another. It's one of the best parts of feminism.  (pg. 47)

Here's hoping that every day there will be fewer and fewer girls who have reason to be sick and tired. What Makes Girls Sick and Tired is a fair and equitable portrayal that makes a great start at informing the world.

YoungCanLit for International Women's Day (March 8)

As important as it was for me to put together this list of youngCanLit titles relevant to International Women’s Day,  it was a difficult list to compile.  There are numerous books of youngCanLit in which girls and women are able to achieve extraordinary accomplishments or are strong, determined characters who are great role models for young readers.  Like Dave Whamond’s Oddrey (Owlkids, 2012) or Caroline Pignat’s Phoebe from The Gospel Truth (Red Deer Press, 2014). But, for International Women’s Day, I focused on those books whose characters or biographical emphases are on girls and women who have had to overcome much because of their gender or were able to accomplish much in spite of their gender.  These are their stories and those that need telling.


PICTURE BOOKS

Gift Days
by Kari-Lynn Winters
Illustrated by Stephen Taylor
Fitzhenry & Whiteside
32 pp.
Ages 7+
2012
Reviewed here

The Highest Number in the World
by Roy MacGregor
Illustrated by Geneviève Després
Tundra Books
32 pp.
Ages 4-7
2014

The Paper Bag Princess
by Robert Munsch
Illustrated by Michael Martchenko
Annick Press
28 pp.
Ages 4+
1981

When Mama Goes to Work
by Marsha Forchuk Skrypuch
Illustrated by Jessica Phillips
Fitzhenry & Whiteside
32 pp.
Ages 1-5
2013
Reviewed here



FICTION & YOUNG ADULT

Abby’s Fabulous Season
by Alain M. Bergeron
Translated by Chantel Bilodeau
Second Story Press
300 pp.
Ages 8-11
2014

Born Ugly
by Beth Goobie
Red Deer Press
270 pp.
Ages 14+
2011

The Breadwinner
by Deborah Ellis
Groundwood Books
176 pp.
Ages 10-14
2000/2015

The Farmerettes
by Gisela Tobien Sherman
Second Story Press
348 pp.
Ages 12+
2015

The Girls They Left Behind
by Bernice Thurman Hunter
Fitzhenry & WHIteside
191 pp.
Ages 12-15
2005

Jane, the Fox and Me
by Fanny Britt
Illustrated by Isabelle Arsenault
Translated by Christelle Morelli and Susan Ouriou
Groundwood Books
104 pp.
Ages 10-16
2013

Lily and Taylor
by Elise Moser
Groundwood Books
224 pp.
Ages 14+
2013
Reviewed here

Moon at Nine
by Deborah Ellis
Pajama Press
224 pp.
Ages 14+
2014
Reviewed here

My Book of Life by Angel
by Martine Leavitt
Groundwood Books
246 pp.
Ages 14+
2012
Reviewed here

No Ordinary Day
by Deborah Ellis
Groundwood Books160 pp.
Ages 9-12
2011
Reviewed here

The Paper House
by Lois Peterson
Orca Book Publishers
108 pp.
Ages 8-11
2012
Reviewed here

Stained
by Cheryl Rainfield
HMH Books for Young Readers
304 pp.
Ages 14+
2013
Reviewed here 

Straight Punch
by Monique Polak
Orca Book Publishers
256 pp.
Ages 13-16
2014

Susanna's Quill
by Julie Johnston
Tundra Books
327 pp.
Ages 13+
2004

Thunder Over Kandahar 
by Sharon E. McKay
Annick Press
260 pp.
Ages 12+
2010

Wanting Mor
by Rukhasana Khan
Groundwood Books
192 pp.
Ages 10-14
2009





NON-FICTION

Astonishing Women Artists (The Women’s Hall of Fame Series)
by Heather Ball
Second Story Press
120 pp.
Ages 9-13
2007

Because I am a Girl I Can Change the World
by Rosemary McCarney with Plan International
Second Story Press
32 pp.
Ages 7-12
2015

Canadian Girls Who Rocked the World 
by Tanya Lloyd Kyi
Illustrated by Tom Bagley
Walrus/Whitecap Books
120 pp.
Ages 9-11
2009

Courageous Women Rebels (The Women’s Hall of Fame Series)
by Joy Crysdale
Second Story Press
124 pp.
Ages 9-13
2013

Dazzling Women Designers (The Women’s Hall of Fame Series)
by Jill Bryant
Second Story Press
128 pp.
Ages 9-13
2010

Every Day is Malala Day
by Rosemary McCarney with Plan International
Second Story Press
32 pp.
Ages 7-12
2014
Reviewed here

Exceptional Women Environmentalists (The Women’s Hall of Fame Series)
by Frances Rooney
Second Story Press
120 pp.
Ages 9-13
2007

Extraordinary Women Explorers (The Women’s Hall of Fame Series)
by Frances Rooney
Second Story Press
118 pp.
Ages 9-13
2005

Fearless Female Journalists (The Women’s Hall of Fame Series)
by Joy Crysdale
Second Story Press
128 pp.
Ages 9-13
2010

girlSpoken: From Pen, Brush & Tongue
Edited by Jessica Hein. Heather Holland and Carol Kauppi
Second Story Press
201 pp.
Ages 12+
2007

Great Women From Our First Nations (The First Nations Series for Young Readers)
by Kelly Fournel
Second Story Press
84 pp.
Ages 9-13
2007

Great Women Leaders (The Women’s Hall of Fame Series)
by Heather Ball
Second Story Press
100 pp.
Ages 9-13
2004

Hyena in Petticoats: The Story of Suffragette Nellie McClung
by Willow Dawson
Puffin Canada
95 pp.
Ages 9-12
2011

In the Bag: Margaret Knight Wraps It Up
by Monica Kulling
Illustrated by David Parkins
Tundra Books
32 pp.
Ages 5-9
2011
Reviewed here

Incredible Women Inventors (The Women's Hall of Fame Series)
by Sandra Braun
Second Story Press
112 pp.
Ages 11+
2006

Kim Campbell: The Keener Who Broke Down Barriers (Canadian Prime Ministers: Warts & All)
by Heather Grace Stewart
Illustrated by Thomas Dannenberg
JackFruit Press
57 pp.
Ages 9-13
2007

Lacey and the African Grandmothers
by Sue Farrell Holler
Second Story Press
164 pp.
Ages 9-13
2009

Locating Alexandra
by Margaret Rodgers
ECW Press
170 pp.
Ages 15+
1995

Magnificent Women in Music (The Women’s Hall of Fame Series)
by Heather Ball
Second Story Press
108 pp.
Ages 9-13
2005

Nobel's Women of Peace (The Women's Hall of Fame Series)
by Michelle Benjamin & Maggie Mooney
Second Story Press
146 pp.
Ages 9-13
2008

No Girls Allowed: Tales of Daring Women Dressed as Men for Love, Freedom and Adventure
by Susan Hughes
Illustrated by Willow Dawson
Kids Can Press
80 pp.
Ages 9-12
2008

Phenomenal Female Entrepreneurs (The Women’s Hall of Fame Series)
by Jill Bryant
Second Story Press
152 pp.
Ages 9-13
2013

Pink Power: The First Women's Hockey Champions (Recordbooks)
by Lorna Schultz Nicholson
James Lorimer
125 pp.
Ages 9-14
2007

Queens of the Ice: They Were Fast, They Were Fierce, They Were Teenage Girls (Recordbooks)
by Carly Adams
James Lorimer
131 pp.
Ages 10-13
2011

Razia’s Ray of Hope: One Girl’s Dream of an Education (CitizenKid)
by Elizabeth Suneby
Illustrated by Suana Verelst
Kids Can Press
36 pp.
Ages 8-10
2013

Remarkable Women Writers (The Women’s Hall of Fame Series)
by Heather Ball
Second Story Press
120 pp.
Ages 10-14
2006

Reporter in Disguise: The Intrepid Vic Steinberg
by Christine Welldon
Fitzhenry & Whiteside
78 pp.
Ages 10-13
2013

Scribbling Women: True Tales from Astonishing Lives
by Marthe Jocelyn
Tundra Books
208 pp.
Ages 10-13
2011

Spectacular Women in Space (The Women’s Hall of Fame Series)
by Sonia Gueldenpfennig
Second Story Press
111 pp.
Ages 9-12
2005

Spic-and-Span!: Lillian Gilbreth's Wonder Kitchen
by Monica Kulling
Illustrated by David Parkins
Tundra Books
32 pp.
Ages 7-10
2014
Reviewed here

Super Women in Science (The Women’s Hall of Fame Series)
by Kelley DiDomenico
Second Story Press
102 pp.
Ages 9-13
2001

Susanna Moodie: A Life
by Michael Peterman
ECW Press
178 pp.
Ages 13+
1999




FILM

Kim Campbell: Through the Looking Glass
Directed by Michel Jones
Produced by Silva Basmajian
National Film Board of Canada
71 min.
Ages 14+
2000



The Petticoat Expeditions Series
Directed by Pepita Ferrari
Produced by Kent Martin
Narrated by Helena Bonham Carter
National Film Board of Canada
Ages 10-14
1997
Part 1: Anna Jameson
23 min., 29 sec.

Part 2: Frances Hopkins
19 min., 32 sec.

Part 3: Countess of Aberdeen
20 min., 1 sec.

Under the Willow Tree: Pioneer Chinese Women in Canada
Directed by Dora Nipp
Produced by Margaret Wong
National Film Board of Canada
52 min.
Ages 14+
1997