About this Book
Written by Gordon Lightfoot and illustrated by Ian Wallace
Published by Groundwood Books
Age range: 4 and up
Synopsis:
Award-winning artist Ian Wallace beautifully illustrates this book based on Gordon Lightfoot's classic song about the construction of the Canadian Pacific Railway in all its glory and heartbreak: the cross-country railroad was an amazing feat of nation-building, but resulted in people being dispossessed from their lands and the deaths of many, mostly migrant workers.
The song, "Canadian Railroad Trilogy," was commissioned by the CBC to celebrate Canada's Centennial in 1967.
The book includes Lightfoot's music and lyrics, a brief history of the railroad, notes on the illustrations and further reading.
From the jury:
"A celebration of art, music and history makes this an iconic picture book for Canadians young and old."
Author/Illustrator Bios:
Gordon Lightfoot is an internationally renowned singer/songwriter and folk-rock legend. He was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2010 and is currently in the midst of a North American tour.
Ian Wallace is a Canadian author and illustrator who attended the Ontario College of Art in Toronto. Since then, he has written and illustrated several successful and award-winning books. He has read to over 800,000 kids across Canada, the United States, Australia, Great Britain and China. He currently lives in Boston with his wife Deb.
