Canada Wild

by Maria Birmingham, Alexander MacAskill (Illustrator)

Canada is home to over 308 endemic species of plants and animals—meaning they’re found nowhere else on Earth. In Canada Wild, award-winning author Maria Birmingham introduces young readers to twelve uniquely Canadian animals—many of which are threatened or endangered. Like the Sable Island sweat bee, which lives on a single sandbar three hundred kilometres off the coast of Nova Scotia; the Kermode bear, the rare white black bear also known as the “Spirit Bear,” which calls the coastal rainforests of northwestern BC home; and the Peary caribou, which can be found clomping through the Arctic tundra of the Northwest Territories and Nunavut.
Profiles of each animal showcase their habitat, diet, and status, while sidebars highlight fascinating facts about each animal, and a How’s It Doing section explains where it falls on the endangerment spectrum. Informative backmatter gives young readers practical advice on conservation and combating climate change, while colour illustrations throughout—including a map of Canada, showing the animals’ habitats—offer whimsical yet scientifically accurate depictions.
From the coasts to the prairies to the mountains to the tundra, and every nook and cranny in between, Canada Wild is the perfect read for budding naturalists.

Genres: Nonfiction

56 pages, Paperback

Published October 25, 2022

Reviews

[Michelle Mallette · Rating 4 out of 5]

Delightful artwork by Nova Scotian Alex MacAskill will grab young readers from the start in this informative paperback book about the wild creatures endemic to, or found only in, Canada. According to the introduction, there are more than 300 species, both animals and plants, unique to our beautiful country. A dozen animals are featured here, each with an opening illustration, a two-page spread showing the animal in its natural habitat. MacAskill used a hand-drawn illustration style in what looks like chalk pastels, creating a natural-looking setting for each animal. Each entry has quick facts, including habitat, diet, and endangered status, an introduction that summarizes where it lives and breeds, and a "How's It Doing" discussion of its endangered status, which can range from at high risk of extinction (the collared lemming in Yukon) to stable (B.C.'s Steller's jay). The other animals featured are the whooping crane, the Eastern or Algonquin wolf, the Kermode bear, the Ungava seal, the Sable Island sweat bee, the Newfoundland pine marten, the Peary caribou, the Harris's sparrow, and the fish in Quebec called a copper redhorse or chevalier cuivré. The book ends with an age-appropriate call to action on endangered animals and climate change. It's attractively priced at $15.95, too! My thanks to the Grand Forks (B.C.) & District Public Library for recently adding this title to its children's nonfiction collection.

[Pamela · Rating 4 out of 5]

Neat little book with some cool details and lovely art.

Targeted towards kids, but it still has some interesting facts for adults - for example, even though I love Kermode (Spirit) Bears I never realized they are actually mostly black. I just thought they were a white subspecies of black bears and that ALL Kermode bears are white, but it’s only select Kermode bears that get white fur due to their genetics.

Overall, lovely little book that I hope more people take a look at. I just wish it had been organized geographically by province/territory more clearly. I like the map at the beginning, I wish it had followed a west it east or east to west order to get a quicker sense of where they’re found. I also wish there were a couple more animals because I’m sure there’s more that are found just in Canada outside of these, but glad they made the book with even this many!

[Lynn Davidson · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this beautifully illustrated book is very interesting information about 12 animals found only in Canada. Information includes habitat, diet, status. Some facts are surprising. In the conclusion are constructive ideas for people to help save animals and their environment. Animals included are: whooping crane, eastern wolf, Kermode bear, Ungava seal, Sable Island sweat bee, Newfoundland pine marten, Pacific Steller's Jay, Peary caribou, collared lemming, Harris's sparrow, wood bison, copper redhorse (which is a fish).

[Lolz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Featuring animals that are unique to Canada is special, the fact that most of them are endangered is sad and makes me worried for their future. In many cases there are only a few hundred left, that’s less than the number of children at the local school.