My Canada: An Illustrated Atlas

K-Gr 2--In this engaging picture book atlas, Canada's 10 provinces and three territories are featured on colorful spreads. From British Columbia to Newfoundland and Labrador, the clean, simple map layout includes small, labeled drawings indicating capital cities, notable geographical landforms (New Brunswick's Appalachian Mountains), major bodies of water (Ontario's Lake Superior), cultural attractions (Nunvut's Cape Dorset Inuit Art Gallery), native animals (Yukon's woodland caribou), and regional flora and fauna (Prince Edward Island's lupines). Provincial and territorial flags and symbols are also included. Smith's cheery, whimsical digital cartoon illustrations depict personable vignettes like a little boy and his dog paddling a canoe down Saskatchewan's Clearwater River Provincial Park. A foreword provides "Did you know" facts and trivia about the world's second biggest country: Canada has "More than 60 Aboriginal languages" and "more than half of the world's polar bears." VERDICT This informative trip across Canada celebrates its people, places, and landscapes--and invites further exploration. A fine addition to geography collections.--Linda Ludke, London Public Library, Ont.