Eating humans

Dinner with a Cannibal: The Complete History of Mankind's Oldest Taboo
by Carole A. Travis-Henikoff


If you're expecting sordid stories of psychopathic serial killers, you're in for a disappointment. This is not that kind of book. Instead, it's a thoughtful treatise on human origins and how cannibalism forms a part of it. 

Travis-Henikoff begins with a look at the exotic foods we eat and the animal kingdom itself, which is rife with cannibalistic tendencies. She then examines cultural belief systems, outlining the various reasons for the consumption of humans: religion - as part of a religious rite, respect - ingestion of deceased relatives, revenge - consumption of enemies, medicinal -  for physical well-being, survival - as a last resort.

Her prose is lucid, well-researched, and non-judgmental. Readers with an extremely curious mindset will find it intelligent, repulsive, fascinating, and surprisingly enlightening.

Includes an extensive bibliography.

Haunted Canada

Canadian Hauntings
by Michael Norman & Beth Scott


This is a collection of ghost stories from across Canada. They're supposed to be true stories, but who can tell? There's no actual evidence presented, nor any historical context. Some of the stories are a little creepy or just plain puzzling. What they are not is very scary.




Strange but True: Canadian Stories of Horror and Terror
by John Robert Colombo


Colombo has compiled many Canadian ghost stories, which fill a number of books. A full list can be found at his website - http://colombo.ca/. 

The stories in Strange but True are told by Canadians who have experienced strange, unexplained supernatural events. Since Colombo does not edit these stories, they can be tedious, rambling affairs that try one's patience. Fortunately, most of the stories are fairly short. Colombo does try to explain some of the weird happenings, but he freely admits that there is no actual proof that will confirm or deny these accounts. 

As with Canadian Hauntings, the stories are not particularly scary. However, creative readers could use them as inspiration for writing their own ghost stories. I recommend Canadian Hauntings for ages 9 and up. Strange but True is more suited to those 15 and up.

Fiery disasters

Fires!
by Tanya Lloyd Kyi


Ten of the most destructive fires in history are dramatically recounted in Fires! by Tanya Lloyd Kyi. The Great Chicago Fire, the Hindenburg disaster, and the Kuwaiti oil well fires are just some of the disasters recounted. Suspensefully written, the book allows readers to easily imagine the fear and despair. At the same time, they'll be appalled at how cowardice, poor decision-making, and plain incompetence can lead to catastrophe. 

Good for kids who like true-life, action-filled stories.

Firefighting

Catching Fire: The Story of Firefighting
by Gena K. Gorrell


Throughout history, cities have been destroyed by fire. In the beginning, people fought fires with buckets of water. Now firefighters have pumper trucks, turnout gear, and breathing equipment. 

In this informative book, Gena K. Gorrell traces the evolution of firefighting and firefighting equipment, and describes the frightening risks posed by fires in planes, ships, tunnels, and forests. She also has a chapter on arson and how investigators determine the cause. Filled with interesting facts, black-and-white photos, and important safety tips, this is an intriguing and comprehensive look at the history of firefighting.

Fire

50 Burning Questions: A Sizzling History of Fire
by Tanya Lloyd Kyi


When human beings discovered fire, it changed everything. Instead of prey, we became hunters, and thus were more likely to survive. Fire also became a means of communication, a driver of technology, an object of worship, and an instrument of war. Tanya Lloyd Kyi summarizes the history of fire in quick, easily digestible fact boxes, explosive activities, and hilarious cartoons. However, while the destructiveness of fire is not overlooked, the cartoons tend to make light of the danger. 




For a more serious take on the subject matter, get Burn: The Life Story of Fire, Lloyd Kyi's earlier book. It begins with a riveting account of a 1958 school fire that killed 92 children. While the layout is not as kid-friendly as the later version, it provides more complete information. 

Underground world

Underground

by David Macaulay

Ever looked into a sewer grate and wondered what’s down there? This book provides the answer! Discover a fascinating world of pipes, wires, vaults, and tunnels, thanks to Macaulay’s amazing illustrations. Viewed from below, buildings and streets take on a whole new perspective, turning readers into underground tourists (look for the miniature buses and people!). 

Highly recommended.

Sustainable architecture

Earth-Friendly Buildings, Bridges and More: The Eco-Journal of Corry Lapont
by Etta Kaner


Corry Lapont is a fictional girl and an aspiring engineer. Corry's eco-journal takes the form of a scrapbook in which she describes the cutting-edge, sustainable architecture that she's visited all over the world. In clear, kid-friendly language, she explains the construction of skyscrapers, bridges, tunnels, domes, dams, dikes, locks and levees. Structures visited include the Torre Mayor building in Mexico City, the tilting Gateshead Millennium Bridge in England, and the Maeslant Barrier in Rotterdam. Complex concepts are clarified with simple activities and comic strip panels.

A very accessible book for children interested in construction and the environment.

Canadian architecture

Building Canada

written & illustrated by Bonnie Shemie

An informative and beautifully illustrated book about the architectural history of Canada. Newfoundland tilt houses, prairie sod houses, Montreal duplexes, and Yukon cultural centres are just some of the buildings to be discovered. Readers will also learn about the cultures and traditions that went into their construction. 

Life in the Northwest Territories

The Land is Our Storybook is a series of books about the land and culture of the Northwest Territories. The series is published by Fifth House Publishers, a division of Fitzhenry and Whiteside.  They give children a clear glimpse of what it is like to live in a Northern community. More importantly, the positive nature of the stories helps to dispel stereotypes and fosters appreciation for Canada's First Nations. 

Here are two books in the series:



The Delta is My Home
by Tom McLeod


Tom McLeod is an eleven-year-old of Gwich'in and Inuvialuit ancestry. He lives on the Mackenzie River Delta in Aklavik, Northwest Territories. In The Delta is My Home, Tom tells stories about the floods that sometimes affect the town, how muskrats avoid predators, how to smoke ducks, and how to make bannock.





Proud to be Inuvialuit
by James Pokiak


Pokiak grew up in Tuktoyaktuk, Northwest Territories. In Proud to be Inuvialuit, James talks about his family and his community, and how a whale is processed for eating. The pictures of children and grandchildren working together stress the importance of the Inuvialuit culture. It'll also make you want to try muktuk. (I have, and it's delicious!)

Prince Edward Island in pictures

My Island Pictures: The Story of Prince Edward Island
by A. L. Morrison


A. L. Morrison's folk-art style paintings are this book's main attraction. They depict a Prince Edward Island of bygone days. Morrison's family stories and his anecdotes about early Island history, which provide context to the pictures, may not be as interesting to child readers. However, his paintings, which are colorful and sometimes dramatic in their small scale, invite close inspection, ensuring new discoveries with repeat viewings.   

Nova Scotian cruise

Jigs and Reels: A Cruise in Maritime Waters

by Marijke Simons

Silas and his cousin Rose are sailing around Nova Scotia on their grandparents' boat Jigs and Reels. Grandpa steers while Grandma acts as navigator.

Silas wants to see whales; Rose is looking for mermaids. They do find whales and lots of other sea life while avoiding hurricanes and rip tides. 

Although this is a travel book, there is no background material. Simons doesn't go beyond naming the places and animals. However, her nicely illustrated map makes it easy to track the journey, and kids will get a good idea of where to look for birds and seals. A visual glossary helps with identification.

In summary, JIgs and Reels is a pleasant story that may have readers planning their own sailing adventure.

Arctic explorers

Exploring the Frozen North
by Pierre Berton


The search for the Northwest Passage obsessed many explorers in the 1820s, and later, in the 1840s and 50s. The perilous adventures of William Parry, Elisha Kent Kane, and Robert John McClure are told in fascinating detail, as is Lady Jane Franklin's obsessive search for her lost husband John. These were explorers of great bravery, recklessness, and foolishness, yet without their efforts, the Arctic might never have been mapped.

Pierre Berton captures all the drama and excitement in vivid detail, bringing history alive for young readers. His stories also demonstrate great respect for the Inuit who came to the rescue, often at great personal cost.

These are exciting true adventure stories that capture the imagination. 

Highly recommended.