Trailblazers: The Black Pioneers Who Have Shaped Canada – A Book Review

Title: Trailblazers: The Black Pioneers Who Have Shaped Canada
Author: Tiyhana Ridley-Padmore
Illustrator: Merryl-Royce Ndema Moussa 
Publisher: Indigo Press
Age Range: All

Trailblazers Book Summary

Trailblazers introduces readers to Canada’s Black history through the under-told stories of over forty incredible Black change makers.

Some of these trailblazers, such as Josiah Henson, have saved lives through their bravery. Some, such as Viola Desmond and Bromley Armstrong, have improved laws through their advocacy. Others, such as Albert Jackson and Bernice Redmon, have broken down barriers by being the first in their fields and inventing new ways of doing things.

With each short story carefully written in poetic form and accompanied by beautiful illustrations, this tribute brings complex topics and historical facts to life. Engaged readers will finish Trailblazers feeling enlightened, inspired, and ready to blaze their own trails.

Thoughts on the Book Trailblazers: The Black Pioneers Who Have Shaped Canada

As we work to be inclusive of many different perspectives and experience in our study of Canadian history, finding resources that are engaging and accurately represent diverse groups is important. Trailblazers: The Black Pioneers Who Have Shaped Canada is a great example of a resource for kids that creates interest while showcasing Black history. This book features different Black Canadians across our history and presents their stories through poetry.

Inside the pages, you will find some fairly well-known profiles such as Harriet Tubman and Viola Desmond, but also people whose stories you might not be as familiar with. For example, Bernice Redmon – Canada’s first Black nurse. Or Albert Jackson – Canada’s first Black mail carrier. Or Beverly Mascoll – who founded Mascoll Beauty Supply, one od the most successful beauty supply companies in Canada.

Each profile is a two page spread – one with the illustration and a short biography and the other with a poem about their story. The illustrations are so incredibly well done – caricature-like almost, but totally recognizable.

What I appreciate about this book is that it offers a great place to introduce people of importance that aren’t just politicians or prime ministers as many of our history stories do. It reminds us that there are every day heroes and trailblazers in our history and our every day. It’s a great starting point to consider who we study in our history, to think about the faces and voices that have impacted our world today, and know that we haven’t heard them all. Trailblazers reminds us to include more than the traditional Euro-centric experience. And the book makes it easy for us to do that with our children.

This book is available from Indigo Books and Knowledge Books.

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