The Lobster Kids' Guide to Exploring Montreal, 1998-99

Bruce Grainger is head of the Public Services Department, Macdonald
Library, McGill University.

The inspiration for this book was the author’s need to provide for his
own family’s amusement. Although the stated purpose is to identify
activities suitable for children up to the age of 12, much of the
information would be of use to adults. In addition to museums, historic
sites, parks, beaches, theatres, cinemas, bike paths, and other major
public attractions, the author includes many interesting local
activities likely to be educational or entertaining for children—such
as making pottery; shopping at public markets; playing mini-golf;
visiting children’s and toy libraries, fire stations, and amusement
centres; trying out swimming pools and city ice rinks; and traveling on
the subway and commuter trains—as well as a number of attractions off
the island of Montreal.

The activities are grouped into 15 categories and each is rated good,
very good, or excellent. Each entry has a detailed description of the
activity and includes the street address, telephone number, season and
operating times, cost, and directions by car or by public transportation
if available. The guide is enhanced by a general subject index, an index
of named attractions and places, and a handy month-by-month directory of
seasonal activities. Although much of the information contained in this
moderately priced book is available free from various public sources,
the author’s descriptions and evaluative comments make The Lobster
Kids’ Guide to Exploring Montreal, 1998–99 a very useful resource.