Uncle John's Bathroom Reader Weird Canada

Uncle John's Facts and Trivia

by Bathroom Readers' Institute

The Great White North is revealed as the Great Weird North in this entertaining tome from the best-selling Bathroom Reader series.

Did you know that Canada was almost called Hochelaga? That’s just one of thousands of wacky facts awaiting readers in Uncle John’s quirky celebration of Earth’s second largest country. You’ll find page after page of bizarre history (like why the beaver was once classified as a fish), plus head-scratching news items (like the crook who returned to the Tim Hortons he’d just robbed to tip the workers), odd places to go (like Mr. Spock’s birthplace in a town called Vulcan), and crazy eats (like the restaurant that makes you eat in complete darkness). So whether you live in Come By Chance, Joe Batt’s Arm, Starvation Cove, or anywhere else inside (or outside) of Canada, yukon count on Uncle John to deliver a world of weirdness from all over this great country. For

- Cow-patty bingo in Alberta (Rule #1: Wear gloves)
- How to enforce the new Quebec law that requires dogs to be bilingual
- The sea of Molson Golden that once shut down an Ontario freeway
- The mystery of the mini earthquakes in a New Brunswick town
- Why it’s illegal to kill a sasquatch in British Columbia
- The Nova Scotia company that makes mattresses for cows 
- Saskatchewan ’s Willow Bunch Giant, a real man who could lift a horse over his head
- The giant fiberglass “Happy Rock” statue in--where else?--Gladstone, Manitoba
 And much, much more!

Genres: Nonfiction, Humor, Canada, Reference, Comedy, Travel, History

400 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2013

About the author

The Bathroom Reader's Institute UJBR boasts more than 12 million books in print and a membership base topping 40,000 loyal readers . . .

Reviews

[Jen Well-Steered · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like trivia. I am Canadian. I read in the bathroom. What is not to like about this book? Just read it with a grain of salt, as there is no Saskatoon in Alberta (there is a Lake Saskatoon, but that's not what they meant), and don't use it as a spelling primer, as there are many variations of Niagara, only some of which are correct.

[Dan Stern · Rating 3 out of 5]

Full of grammar and spelling errors, and even geographical ones (Saskatoon, Alberta. Really?) Even spelled Niagara as: Niagra in bold type right on the back cover, even my Chrome browser spell check picks that up. A lot of stories that consist of hearsay, dubious "facts", or just downright made up stuff. I like the UJ series as what it is intended for, but hiring some good editors would make something half-assed into something that you could be proud of.

[Teresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Uncle John's Bathroom Readers. I was thrilled to find one all about Canada on a bookstore bookshelf. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this one. I would have given the full five stars, but this book was full of editing errors. There were so many that I was tempted to contact Uncle John's Institution and offer my editing services. I caught a couple of fact errors as well.

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not bad. Some interesting stuff. Also some stuff that could have been left out. Spelling errors and I think one time the city did not match the province that it said it was in. But I did learn a few things still despite that.

[Kathryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

More odd facts about Canada. Learned new stuff from this book as well.

[Paulo Reimann · Rating 2 out of 5]

I would not waste any time on this book. Maybe in the bathroom. Max.

[Patricia Atkinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

lots of canadian history and trivia

[Eliz · Rating 3 out of 5]

For those who like to read on the throne... Or for people who'd like to learn some weird facts about Canada. Likely best if you know nothing about Canada first.

[Noelle Walsh · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book, like I enjoy every Bathroom Reader I get my hands on. It had all the humour and tidbits I've come to expect from Uncle John though I did notice a little accident, so to speak, in the book near the end. There was a quiz, that had no answers, as in the answers were to be on another page (408 id I'm not mistaken) but the page was non-existent in the book (as the book only goes to page 400), thus no answers to see if one was correct. Otherwise I enjoyed this book immensely. I spent a great deal of time in the bathroom finishing this book (much to the annoyance of my housemates), from a long toilet trip to an extra long bubble bath. I hope I can get my hands on more Bathroom Readers soon!

[Cyberpope · Rating 5 out of 5]

A delightful collection of trivia, facts, & funny stories all relating to Canada. A must read for every Canadian trivia buff (it omitted that we invented Trivia the Pursuit board game, so here you go, a bonus freebie to get you started)

Like all Bathroom Reader big book digests, the stories/etc. are short enough to easily read on occasional visits to "the Throne" or equally suitable for waiting at bus stops, doctor's office, etc.

[Jamie · Rating 3 out of 5]

As someone who lives in Canada, I have to say I'm appalled at just how many errors there are in this book, from typos to factual errors. BRI: please proofread and factcheck.

[russell barnes · Rating 2 out of 5]

I feel I know legendary Canadian's John & Hayley Harlock so much better now.