O Canada

by Ted Harrison (Illustrator)

"O Canada" was first heard in 1880, but it was not until 100 years later that it became Canada's official national anthem. In this, the first illustrated edition of "O Canada," acclaimed Canadian painter Ted Harrison takes us on a spectacular journey across Canada, "from east to western sea." Through his joyous eye, Canada is revealed as a land of singular beauty.

Genres: Canada, Picture Books, Childrens, Geography, Art

32 pages, Hardcover

First published June 30, 1992

About the author

Ted Harrison is one of Canada’s most popular artists. His love of the land and people of the Yukon has brought him national acclaim. His distinctive style of painting is both colourful and sophisticated yet retains an innocent charm, and appeals to young and old alike. He lives in Victoria, British Columbia.

Reviews

[Sheri · Rating 4 out of 5]

A vivid introduction to the provinces and territories, their characteristics, and what makes each unique and memorable including interesting bits of trivia. Each description, as well as the complete totality, gives a good sense of the vastness of the component part and the entire country. I would like to put his book to the test and take a coast-to-coast trip to see if I could identify which part of Canada I was in without having read any signs. A book that inspires appreciation, patriotism, and exploration.

[Kayla · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very informative of the culture and feel of Canada. You can feel the love the author has for his country in his outlook on each territory.
It loses the children's attention really early on, though.

[Karrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bold and beautiful. Introduction to regions demonstrate fondness

[Ben Truong · Rating 5 out of 5]

O Canada is a children's picture book inspired by the Canadian anthem and illustrated by Ted Harrison. Born Edward Hardy Harrison, Ted was an English-Canadian artist who created many paintings of the Yukon and received the Order of Canada for his contribution to Canadian culture. It's Canada's Day today (1 July), so I thought it was apropos to read this today.

The text is rather simple and straightforward – it's the National Anthem of Canada. What I particularly liked was it also had the French version of the song – very rarely do I actually see the words for the French variant of the anthem. Harrison's illustrations are phenomenal. It has a rustic and vibrant vibe to accompany the words to the National Anthem of Canada and pays a wonderful homage of Canada in general from coast to coast to coast.

All in all, O Canada is a wonderful picture book illustrated by a wonderful Canadian artist that depicts the Canadian landscape extremely well and is apropos to add his art to a book of the Canadian National Anthem – on Canada's Day.

[Lynn Davidson · Rating 5 out of 5]

The national anthem of Canada as portrayed in the artist's unique painting style, with a personal message included about each province and territory. Beautiful!

[Chinook · Rating 4 out of 5]

We loved the art. The girls definitely learned a few parts of the lyrics that they’d been singing incorrectly.

[Donna Henning · Rating 3 out of 5]

Published 1992, so missing Nunavut.