The Kids Book of Canadian Prime Ministers

Steve Pitt is a Toronto-based freelance writer and an award-winning journalist. He has written many young adult and children's books, including Day of the Flying Fox: The True Story of World War II Pilot Charley Fox.

This succinct but inclusive book profiles the 19 men and one woman who
have held the post of prime minister since four provinces of Canada
confederated in 1867. The first section examines how Canada’s federal
government works and what a prime minister does. The second part
features biographies of all Canada’s prime ministers, from Sir John A.
Macdonald to Jean Chrétien. Each biography is lavishly illustrated with
oversized full-color portraits by John Mantha. Both text and
illustrations strive to be nonpartisan.

Political highlights and fascinating anecdotes keep the prose animated
and informative. Most Canadians might be surprised to learn that their
second prime minister, Alexander Mackenzie, was a stone mason by trade
or that Sir Charles Tupper, after being passed over for the prime
minister’s job twice, finally assumed the office only to lose it 69
days later in an election. Small sidebars are used to highlight facts or
quotes. “I am here very much because I am not particularly obnoxious
to anyone” is Sir John Abbott’s timeless advice to those aspiring to
Canada’s highest political office.

Young readers are not likely to find a more painless introduction to
Canadian prime ministers. Highly recommended.