Canadian Curriculum Classics

Looking for supplementary reading material for your classroom or home school? Check out our list of Canadian Curriculum Classics. All titles are available for purchase at the Black Creek Gift Shop & Café.

PRE-SCHOOL & KINDERGARTEN (Ages 3 to 6)

cover of Community Garden (Chick and Duckling) Community Garden
Carolyn J. Morris; Illustrated by Richard McNaughton

SUMMARY: Full of curiosity, Chick and Duckling make their way through the vegetable patch.
Ages 3 to 5

cover of Good Morning Railfence Bunch (Chick and Duckling) Good Morning
Carolyn J. Morris; Illustrated by Richard McNaughton

SUMMARY: Take a tour around the farm with Chick and Duckling. Visit the barnyard and meet their friends. A story in rhythm, rhyme and repetition.
Ages 3 to 5

Down on the Farm Goats book cover Down on the Farm: Goats
Sally Morgan

SUMMARY: There’s more to goats than munching! Did you know there is a type of goat that faints when excited? Or that some goats have beards? These and more fun facts about goats are set in an easy-to-read paperback with bright photographs.
Ages 5 to 8

cover of Down on the Farm Sheep Down on the Farm: Sheep
Hannah Ray

SUMMARY: Find out all kinds of fun facts about these “woolly wonders.” Did you know that wool becomes warm when it is wet, or that some sheep have blue faces? Set in an easy-to-read paperback with bright photographs.
Ages 5 to 8

PRIMARY GRADES (Ages 7 to 9)

Christmas from Solstice to Santa book cover Christmas: From Solstice to Santa
Nikki Tate and Dani Tate-Stratton

SUMMARY: Explore the many different ways that Christmas is celebrated around the world. This book contains descriptions of games played, foods, decorations and traditions. Although aimed for middle grades, with facts and recipes, this book can delight Christmas lovers of any age.
Ages 6 to 12

Algonquin Nation book cover Algonquin Nation
Heather C. Hudak

SUMMARY: An exploration into the Woodland people known as the Algonquin Nation. Discusses their past and present-day culture and history, as well as how the climate and land along the Ottawa River helped to shape their complex society.
Ages 7 to 8

Huron-Wendat community book cover Huron-Wendat Community
Todd Kortemeier

SUMMARY: Learn about where Huron-Wendat people live today, and about their communities of the past. How did the arrival of Europeans impact their community? How has this changed their language and education over the years?
Ages 7 to 8

Iroquois Community book cover Iroquois Community
Patricia Hutchison

SUMMARY: Learn how Iroquois life has changed throughout the years, and how they respect their heritage and traditions in the world today.
Ages 7 to 8

Mohawk Nation book cover Mohawk Nation
Dolores Nixon

SUMMARY: A discussion of the history, language and cultural practices of the Mohawk Nation, both past and present.
Ages 7 to 8

Ojibwe Community book cover Ojibwe Community
Laura K. Murray

SUMMARY: Traditionally, Ojibwe moved with the seasons; today many live across Canada. Learn about traditional Ojibwe ways of life and how they honour this heritage today.
Ages 7 to 8

Indigenous Peoples in Arts and Music book cover Indigenous Peoples in Arts and Music
Erin Nicks

SUMMARY: Part of the Indigenous People’s Contribution to Canada series. This book provides information about Indigenous peoples in the arts, including sculpture, painting, performance, theatre, film, and music, as well as traditional fine art and crafts. Includes inquiry questions and web links.
Ages 7 to 10

Settler Life in Canada Clothes book cover Settler Life in Canada: Clothes
Anita Yasuda

SUMMARY: A look at pioneer clothes and fashions between 1870 and 1890. Considers how clothes were made and functioned. Includes a hands-on project to extend learning.
Ages 7 to 9

Settler Life in Canada Food book cover Settler Life in Canada: Food
Anita Yasuda

SUMMARY: An introduction to pioneer food practices between 1780 and 1890. Which ingredients were available to settlers? How was food prepared? Includes a hands-on project to extend learning.

Settler Life in Canada Homes book cover Settler Life in Canada: Homes
Joy Kita

SUMMARY: A look at pioneer homes between 1780 and 1890 and how things were built in pioneer times. Considers how buildings may ave varied across the country. Includes a hands-on project to extend learning.
Ages 7 to 9

Settler Life in Canada school book cover Settler Life in Canada: School
Joy Kita

SUMMARY: An introduction to education in Canada between 1780 and 1890. What were classes like? What were the expectations of students? What did they learn? Includes a hands-on project to extend learning.
Ages 7 to 9

MIDDLE SCHOOL & INTERMEDIATE GRADES (Ages 10 to 13)

Governance book cover Governance
Simon Rose

SUMMARY: An exploration into the history of Indigenous government in Canada, including the various treaties and Acts of Parliament that have influenced the development of government systems across the country. Also looks at the role of the Canadian federal government, the nature of Indigenous governance today, and the future of Indigenous self-government in Canada.
Ages 10 to 12

Truth and Reconciliation book cover Truth and Reconciliation
Simon Rose

SUMMARY: This book is an exploratory introduction to the historical relationship between Indigenous peoples and European settlers in Canada. It addresses government treaties and Acts of Parliament, the residential school system, and other issues — including reflections on the future
Ages 10 to 12

Indigenous Relations in British North America book cover Indigenous Relations in British North America
Heather C. Hudak

SUMMARY: An introduction to the relationships between Indigenous peoples and colonial European settlers in Upper Canada from 1713 to 1850.
Ages 10 to 12

Speaking Our Truth book cover Speaking Our Truth: A Journey of Reconciliation
Monique Gray Smith

SUMMARY: Acclaimed Indigenous author Monique Gray Smith explores the lives of survivors of the residential school system, and examines the impact that this system had upon the relationship between Canada and Indigenous peoples. Healing and repair must begin with education, awareness and an understanding of the legacy still experienced by survivors.
Ages 8 to 13