Get patriotic with these iconic Canadians

As Canada Day approaches, it’s a perfect time to learn about a wide range of Canadians who made a difference, or are making a difference, in our lives.

This library booklist provides readers with names of books and other material recommended by the staff of Western Counties Regional Library. All recommendations are posted at www.westerncounties.ca under Recommended Reading with links to the catalogue.

MEET DAVID SUZUKI

by Elizabeth MacLeod

As a young boy, David Suzuki loved spending time in the glorious British Columbia outdoors with his father. The racist policies against Japanese Canadians during the Second World War put an abrupt end to that when David’s family was sent to a Japanese internment camp in 1942. After the war, David immersed himself in learning, earning a PhD in zoology, becoming a professor and eventually taking his love of science education into the public sphere with his shows on CBC radio and television. Climate change is one of the most important issues of our time and David Suzuki has led the charge in education and activism in Canada for decades.

VIOLA DESMOND WON’T BE BUDGED

by Jody Warner

In 1946, Viola Desmond bought a movie ticket at the Roseland Theatre in Nova Scotia. After settling into a main floor seat, an usher came by and told her to move because her ticket was only good for the balcony. She offered to pay the difference in price but was refused. Viola refused to move. She was hauled off to jail, but her actions gave strength and inspiration to Canada’s black community. Vibrant illustrations and oral-style prose tell Viola’s story with sympathy and historical accuracy.

POSTCARDS FROM SPACE: THE CHRIS

HADFIELD STORY

by Heather Down

Postcards from Space is a children’s picture book featuring a simplified edition of the biography of Chris Hadfield, former commander of the International Space Station. Using social media and beautiful photography, Col. Hadfield is considered to be one of the coolest astronauts ever. Appropriate for young children, this book encompasses the theme of dreaming big and also showcases some of NASA’s best photography.

HOUSE OF DREAMS: THE LIFE OF L. M. MONTGOMERY

by Liz Rosenburg

Once upon a time, there was a girl named Maud who adored stories. Not only did Maud grow up to own lots of books, she wrote 24 of them herself as L. M. Montgomery, the worldrenowned author of Anne of Green Gables. Through this revealing and deeply moving biography, kindred spirits of all ages who, like Maud, never gave up “the substance of things hoped for” will be captivated anew by the words of this remarkable woman.

ROLL ON

by Rick Hansen

As Rick Hansen wheels around the globe on his incredible Man in Motion World Tour, the children he meets are encouraged to dream their own dreams and work to make them come true. Roll On is an inspirational story for any child who has had to overcome a disability, has a friend or sibling who lives with a disability or who has big dreams for life.

JONI: THE LYRICAL

LIFE OF JONI MITCHELL

by Selina Alko

Celebrate the captivating life of Joni Mitchell, the worldfamous songbird who used her music to ignite and inspire an entire generation, in this stunning picture book biography from award-winning author and illustrator Selina Alko.