On June 26th, we celebrate Canoe Day to help kids (and adults) learn more about canoeing in various bodies of water. Since living in Hawai’i, I have also learned that outrigger canoes are intrinsic to the culture and paddling is the official sport in the state. Outrigger paddling is a sport enjoyed all over Polynesia from Aoteroa to Tahiti, from Hawai’i to Tonga, and beyond. Today we are sharing the Top Children’s Books to Celebrate Canoe Day.
• Top Children’s Books to Celebrate Canoe Day •
THE BOYS IN THE WAKA AMA
A story celebrating the traditional Polynesian sport of outrigger canoe racing.
These are the crew of the waka, which race
side-by-side at a heart-thumping, breath-taking pace.
Their whanau have gathered along the shore –
“Kia tere! Kia tere! Kia tere – give more!”
The waka glides faster, the boys dig in deep.
There will be no rest till this race is complete
as they race in the waka ama.With a lovely singing text and vibrant illustrations, this timely story celebrates all aspects of this incredibly popular and fast-growing sport that is so special to Aotearoa.
Written by Angie Belcher and Illustrated by Debbie Tipuna
Published by Penguin Books New Zealand
RIVER
Caldecott Honor winner Elisha Cooper invites readers to grab their oars and board a canoe down a river exploration filled with adventure and beauty.
In Cooper’s flowing prose and stunning watercolor scenes, readers can follow a traveler’s trek down the Hudson River as she and her canoe explore the wildlife, flora and fauna, and urban landscape at the river’s edge. Through perilous weather and river rushes, the canoe and her captain survive and maneuver their way down the river back home.River is an outstanding introduction to seeing the world through the eyes of a young explorer and a great picture book for the STEAM curriculum.Maps and information about the Hudson River and famous landmarks are included in the back of the book.
RIVER
Written and Illustrated by Elisha Cooper
Published by Orchard Books
IN THE RED CANOE
Fish and herons, turtles and dragonflies, beaver lodges and lily pads–a multitude of wonders enchant both the child narrator and any other nature lovers along for the ride in this tender, beautifully illustrated picture book. Baby ducklings ride their mama’s back; an osprey rises with a silver fish clutched in her talons; a loon cries in a star-flecked night. Rhythmic, rhyming quatrains carry the story forward in clean paddle strokes of evocative imagery.
In the Red Canoe celebrates the bond between grandparent and grandchild and invites nature lovers of all ages along for the ride.
IN THE RED CANOE
Written by Leslie A. Davidson and Illustrated by Laura Bifano
Published by Orca Book Publishers
OVER AND UNDER THE POND
A secret underwater world brought to life: This gorgeous companion to the acclaimed Over and Under the Snow and Up in the Garden and Down in the Dirt is an excellent addition to any emerging reader’s collection.
In Over and Under the Pond, readers will discover the plants and animals that make up the rich, interconnected ecosystem of a mountain pond. Over the pond, the water is a mirror, reflecting the sky. But under the water is a hidden world of creatures–minnows darting, beavers diving, and tadpoles growing.
These secrets and many others are waiting to be discovered over and under the pond in this sweet children’s book from Kate Messner and Christopher Silas Neal, the latest in their beloved series that offers kids a peek into hidden ecosystems.
OVER AND UNDER THE POND
Written by Kate Messner and Illustrated by Christopher Silas Neal
Published by Chronicle Books
UP THE CREEK
I”There once was a bear, a moose and a beaver who were the best of friends, though they often disagreed.” So when the three friends go canoeing together one sunny day, it doesn’t take long for them to start quarreling with one another. First, they can’t decide who should get to steer the canoe. Later, they debate how best to get across a beaver dam that blocks their way. But when they can’t agree on the proper course for maneuvering through the white-water rapids they suddenly find themselves in, the consequences become truly perilous. It takes a long, uncomfortable night spent stranded on a rock to remind the bear, the moose and the beaver what they often forget: everything turns out better when they work together as a team.
As with his other popular books in the Life in the Wild series, featuring these three lovable animal characters, author-illustrator Nicholas Oldland has created a funny romp of a picture book adventure for young children that will be a favorite choice in the classroom. Oldland’s distinctive, simple and playful artwork tells much of the tale on its own, with lots of visual humor in the characters’ facial expressions and the numerous asides throughout.
At its core, this is a fun, contemporary fable that champions the importance of teamwork, cooperation and communication while also promoting the joys to be found in nature, specifically the wilder parts of the outdoors. This book could serve as an introduction to discussions on animals and their environments in the early grades as well.
UP THE CREEK
Written and Illustrated by Nicholas Oldland
Published by Kids Can Press
Bethany Edwards is an elementary educator as well as a reading and literacy
specialist. On Biracial Bookworms, she focuses on multiracial and multicultural resources for teaching literacy skills using reading, travel, and learning multiple languages. Additionally, she offers online and self-paced courses for parents and caregivers on Biracial Bookworms Academy.
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