Canadian Garbage Collectors

Joan Buchanan is a writer, storyteller and instructor and author of
Taking Care of My Cold.

These two titles are the first in a nonfiction series called In My
Neighbourhood. They are well researched and fun to read. Bourgeois
explores her topics clearly and engagingly, holding the reader’s
interest by realistic dialogue, expressive language, active verbs,
varied sentence lengths, and fitting story lines.

Canadian Fire Fighters would be an excellent resource to use with
preschool and primary-age children before a visit to the local fire
station. The latter part of the book also contains valuable
fire-prevention tips, along with information about what to do when there
is a fire. LaFave’s lively, detailed illustrations complement the text
well, except for a small inconsistency where one fire fighter instead of
two is holding a hose.

I particularly enjoyed the story line in the Garbage Collectors. The
facts are presented seemingly effortlessly and organically. The story
begins with Sam, the garbage collector, and Mabel, the truck driver, on
their regular rounds. Neighbourhood children eagerly ask them questions,
which they willingly answer. Meanwhile, they wonder why Mrs. Green is
running after the truck in her dressing gown. After Mrs. Green’s false
teeth are rescued, the garbage continues to the transfer station and
beyond. Recycling is integrated into the story simply and
unpretentiously. The expressive and energetic pictures enhance the text,
reflecting a truly wonderful matching of talents.

Any library needs these books.