FROM THE CRITICS

Children's Literature - Della A. Yannuzzi

Author Legare's biography on Champlain gives a detailed and thoughtful portrait of the man responsible for establishing the French colony of Quebec in Canada. The author, who lives in Quebec City, opens and closes her chapters with excerpts from Champlain's journals. She also uses dialogue throughout the book to tell Champlain's story. This detailed account of Champlain's life explores his marriage to a young girl, his battles with the Indians, and the loss of Quebec to the British, as well as other important events in his life. The author also manages to convey the hardships Champlain and the French colonists had to endure while living in Quebec. Winters were harsh and cold, the threat of Indian attack was always there, and the lack of fruits and vegetables led to an illness called scurvy. Many people died during the early years of the colony's struggle to survive, but Champlain's determination always managed to keep the colony's hopes alive. One little known fact was that Champlain became responsible for three young Indian girls. He called them his daughters and arranged for them to be fed, clothed and educated. Although Champlain's first love was New France, he did long to discover the route to the Orient by continuing farther to the West. However, he is mainly known as the Father of New France. Black and white maps and drawings are included as well as chronology of Samuel de Champlain. 2004, XYZ Publishing, Ages 12 up.

KLIATT - Patricia Moore