The Kids Book of Canada's Railway and How the CPR Was Built

Christine Linge MacDonald, a past director of the Toronto & District
Parent Co-operative Preschool Corporation and a freelance writer, is an
elementary school teacher in Whitby, Ontario.

Canadian history is brought vividly to life in this colorful,
large-format book. At least half of the ample space is devoted to John
Mantha’s appealing, realistic drawings, increasing the likelihood that
a late-primary- or junior-aged child would be tempted to examine such a
ponderous subject. The striking cover portrait of a powerful steam
engine racing down the line is especially engaging.

Deborah Hodge situates the story of Canada’s railroad within the
broad tapestry of Canada’s history. The rigors endured by the men who
constructed the tracks and bridges, the surveyors who struggled through
wilderness, and the laborers who wrestled all the steel and wood into
place are described and drawn in fascinating—and sometimes
gory—detail.

While the importance of the Canadian Pacific Railway to the development
of a new nation is the underlying theme, Hodge fleshes out the book with
many related facts that will appeal to young readers. Many pages are
given to exploring old railway stations, visiting specialty trains (like
the school train that traveled from town to town, returning the children
home at the end of the day), encountering thrilling train crashes, and
learning the components of a steam engine.

While Hodge and Mantha have done everything possible to bring a dry
subject to life, it may still be necessary for an adult reader to take
the time to share parts of this volume with a child, until the youngster
becomes “hooked on history.” Considering the importance of the
subject, it is well worth the effort. Highly recommended.