Book Description

In an unusual blend of fiction and nonfiction, A Pioneer Sampler chronicles one year in the lives of the Robinson family. Illustrated historical notes enlarge on the social history and describe activities related to the stories, from churning butter to predicting the weather. Young readers are invited to try their hand at these tasks to experience a bit of pioneer life. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Great , engaging book about pioneer life!
I loved this book. I read it before I gave it to my daughter. It is a fictional family, but all the information is true to life. Interspersed with the story of the Robertsons, you can learn how to make your own cheese, dip a candle, or learn to tell the time from the sun.
This book will add to your library, and is a nice complement to Laura Ingalls Wilders books. Homeschooling familys will enjoy it, I know we did.

this is a fanntastic book
The Pioneer Sampler

The Pioneer Sampler is a fun and fascinating book. It tells about a pioneer family. Can Nekeek and Willy catch fish by hand? You'll find out. This is a fun book.
I'd give this book a five *...

Experience pioneer life!!!
Barbara Greenwood has written a wonderful book that is as much fun for adults to read to children as it is for the children to read themselves. She doesn't just 'tell' about the Robertson's, she 'shows', drawing the reader into their lives...a pleasant place to be. I especially love Granny's story about how she came to America,on a ship, from Scotland.

The book is beautifully illustrated...all the way through...by Heather Collins. The pictures are so well done that, even as an adult, I would like to step into the scene!

There are instructions for simple, fun activities such as growing a potato plant, dyeing fabric using an onion, or making a cardboard jumping jack; pioneer games that will even entertain today's children for hours such as shadow shapes or knucklebones; and recipes that are easy for children.

Reading this book to a child is a great 'stress releaver'...it's like a little escape from the treadmill of life!!!

A wonderful book on pioneer life for children ages 6-14
I've read many books on pioneer life, and this is by far the best one for children. The book is about the Robertsons, a fictional family living in the west. While the family is fictional, the material is all drawn from real life.

The story takes you through a year in their lives, each chapter being its own story. After each chapter, the author provides explanatory material, giving detailed information about events and activities from the story. For example, there is a chapter about the children searching for a bee tree in order to find honey. In the explanatory material following the chapter, the author discusses beekeeping, division of labor among the bees, how the honey is actually made and the importance of honey to the early pioneers.

Unlike most books, we found the explanatory material every bit as captivating as the stories. In addition, the author suggests some activities children can do in order to learn more. Yesterday we conducted an experiment to see how the sap in the maple trees resists freezing because of its high sugar content. Today we made butter.

All in all, an excellent book. Thumbs up from [this family]

Excellent teaching resource book!
I love using this book in the classroom because of the way it takes each aspect of everyday pioneer living, and provides a non-fiction type short story along with more information about the job, skill, etc., along with an acitivity for the children to do. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

It tells people wonderful facts about wonderful creatures.
I love this book. It tells you tons of facts about amphibians and It shows brilliant photographs. It also shows the animals related species which is good to know. ... Read more

Book Description

This gorgeous book is the must-have geography resource for every young reader. Leading the reader across Canada, province by province, veteran writer Christopher Moore introduces the things that make this country unique. Each province and territory is explored and defined not only by its physical features, but also by its history, the people that make up its population, and the industry and culture that distinguish each region. The book is lavishly illustrated by well-known artist Bill Slavin, and features 150 full color photos.

The gift book, reference book, and just plain fun-to-read book of the season – and many seasons to come! ... Read more

Book Description

Whether sharing the stories of Anne of Green Gables or Terry Fox, or revealing Canada's importance in growing grain that feeds the world, "M is for Maple" is a shining tribute to Canada.In clever rhymes and informative text that sweeps you away like a sleek chinook, author Mike Ulmer shares the unique details and illustrator Melanie Rose has captured the splendor from the Northern lights to the cities of Toronto, Victoria, and Quebec.From British Columbia to Newfoundland, this alphabet book presents the symbols, history, people and culture of this great northern nation. ... Read more

Book Description

Exciting color photographs capture the beauty and natural wonder ofCanada, from its border with the United States, up to the Land of the Midnight Sun. ... Read more

Book Description

Only in Canada is part of the Wow Canada! series. Richly varied yet intrinsically connected, each unique book in this collection celebrates a part of Canada's story. Together, the books in the Wow Canada! library weave a tale as diverse and exciting as the country itself.

From the innovative team behind the multi-award-winning Wow Canada! (author Vivien Bowers and artist Dianne Eastman) comes Only in Canada! It's a funny, fascinating and fact-filled tour through everything interesting and unique in Canada. With your hosts, Moose and Goose, you will be shuttled through the weird, wonderful, mind-boggling, and just plain fascinating facts that define the nation.

From how Canada was physically formed, to awesome things Canadians have built, to Canada's naturally bizarre plants and wildlife, weather weirdness, a tour through Canada's history, and an introduction to Canadian heroes and famous figures, this is Canada for kids as they've never seen it before. Kids will always be able to find something new in this grab-bag of quirky (yet valuable!) information. ... Read more