Ellie's New Home

Lesley Shortt is an elementary-school teacher in Milton, Ontario.

Ellie, Max, and their father emigrate from England to Canada in the
summer of 1835. After they arrive in Canada, Pa leaves the children with
a family that has two children of similar ages—Mary and Trevor—while
he goes into the wilderness to build a cabin in which they can live.

Ellie finds living in Canada a difficult adjustment. Feeding chickens,
collecting eggs, milking cows, and churning butter is a complete culture
shock. In England one just went to the store or had food delivered, as
Ellie likes to remind Mary. One night Trevor becomes deathly ill, and
Mary and Ellie must get a doctor. In the morning, Trevor is on the road
to recovery, the girls become firm friends, and Pa returns with news
that they will be leaving for their new house the next day.

This simplistic story briefly outlines what domestic pioneer life was
like. Although it is aimed at children in Grades 2 through 5, the
book’s low vocabulary and slow-moving plot will likely not hold the
interest of the average reader. Not a first-choice purchase.