Description
An important and comprehensive exploration of 400 years of Black history in Canada.
This narrative journey through Black history in Canada begins with the arrival in 1604 of Mathieu Da Costa, the first known African in the country, and continues through the Black Lives Matter movement and the ongoing fight for social justice. A one-of-a-kind book, it contains inspiring and thought-provoking stories of the people involved in Canada's legacy of slavery, the Black Loyalist and Exoduster movements, the Underground Railroad and the fight for civil rights. Separate from the chronological history, the book also examines key issues that have affected the lives of Black Canadians, including slavery, racism and prejudice, and representation.
The definitive children's guide to Black history in Canada, this book is an essential update to the bestselling and award-winning The Kids Book of Black Canadian History, which was first published in 2003. With informative and engaging text, author Rosemary Sadlier honors the proud history of Black Canadians on every page. Sidebars with interesting facts, quotations and profiles of historical figures appear throughout the book, making this a perfect fit for social studies lessons on Canadian heritage and history. The back matter includes six pages of profiles of important Black figures in the arts, sciences, sports, politics and more, as well as a glossary of key terms and an index. Redesigned for a new generation of readers featuring Arden Taylor's contemporary style using blocks of color and vivid illustrations, this book is a must-have resource for every classroom and library across the country.
Author Bio
Arden Taylor is a Toronto-based freelance illustrator. A graduate of Sheridan College with an honors bachelor of illustration, she enjoys digitally creating colorful illustrations of architecture and people and designs for wallpaper and other projects. Her clients include Hazlitt Magazine and the California Institute of Technology, and her work has been featured in various magazines, newspapers, advertising campaigns and websites.
Prizes
- White Raven Award (1st ed.), International Youth LibraryWinner 2004
- Hackmatack Children's Choice Book Award; English Nonfiction, Hackmatack Children's Choice Book AwardShort-listed 2025
- Violet Downey Book Award (1st ed.), The National Chapter of Canada IODECommended 2004
- Hackmatack Children's Choice Book Award (1st ed.), Hackmatack Children's Choice Book AwardShort-listed 2005
- Red Cedar Book Award (1st ed.), Young Readers' Choice Society of British ColumbiaShort-listed 2006
- OLA Best Bets, Ontario Library AssociationJoint winner 2024
- May & June Loan Stars Jr. Top Pick, Booknet CanadaJoint winner 2024
Review Quotes
... packed with information I never knew about Canada and Black Canadians. It is a wonderful resource book.
— Youth Services Book Review
... an essential book for all Canadian elementary schools and public libraries.
— CM Magazine
While readers can easily browse the book in search of interesting trivia, the text in its entirety is a solid overview of Black History in Canada ...
— Children's Literature
Biographical note
Rosemary Sadlier, OOnt, is a social justice advocate, researcher, writer and the former president of the Ontario Black History Society. She is a highly sought-after speaker on Black history, anti-racism and women's issues, and she has written multiple books on African Canadian history. A passionate advocate for Black history education, she was instrumental in establishing Black History Month and Emancipation Day in Canada, as well as in the creation of Lincoln Alexander Day. Rosemary was named to the Order of Ontario (OOnt) in 2008 and has received a number of other awards and accolades, including an honorary doctorate from OCAD University, the Queen's Diamond Jubilee medal and the Martin Luther King Jr. Community Service Award. The Rosemary Sadlier Freedom Award was created in her honor and has been presented annually since 2020. Rosemary lives in Toronto, Ontario.
Arden Taylor is a freelance illustrator residing in Toronto, Ontario. She graduated Sheridan College with an Honours Bachelor of Illustration. She enjoys working with beautiful color palettes to create visually appealing, fun and sophisticated graphic illustrations of architecture, people, wallpaper, patterns and more. Her clients include Hazlitt Magazine and the California Institute of Technology. Arden's work has been featured in magazines, newspapers, advertising campaigns and websites. The Kids Book of Black History in Canada is her first book.
Arden Taylor is a freelance illustrator residing in Toronto, Ontario. She graduated Sheridan College with an Honours Bachelor of Illustration. She enjoys working with beautiful color palettes to create visually appealing, fun and sophisticated graphic illustrations of architecture, people, wallpaper, patterns and more. Her clients include Hazlitt Magazine and the California Institute of Technology. Arden's work has been featured in magazines, newspapers, advertising campaigns and websites. The Kids Book of Black History in Canada is her first book.
