Northwest Passage (book) facts for kids
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| Author | Matthew James, based on the song by Stan Rogers |
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| Illustrator | Matthew James |
| Cover artist | Michael Solomon |
| Country | Canada |
| Language | English |
| Subject | Northwest Passage song |
| Genre | Sea story |
| Published | 2013 Groundwood Books |
| Media type | Picture book |
| Pages | 50 |
| ISBN | 978-1-55498-153-3 |
Northwest Passage is a special book for young readers. It's based on a very famous Canadian song called "Northwest Passage". The song tells the exciting story of a traveler exploring the Canadian Arctic. They follow the paths of famous explorers like Alexander Mackenzie, David Thompson, John Franklin, and Henry Kelsey.
The book was written and narrated by Matthew James. He is a Canadian musician, illustrator, and author. Matt James has even won the Governor General's Award for his children's books. The book is filled with amazing and unique drawings by Matt James. These pictures bring the song's story to life. The book also has a timeline of Canadian exploration. You can find short biographies of explorers and their portraits too.
About the Northwest Passage Book
This book is based on the well-known song "Northwest Passage". The song was first sung by Stan Rogers in 1981. The book shares the story behind the song. It also gives facts about the real events that inspired it. A main part of the song and story is the journey of John Franklin. He set sail in 1845 on a voyage that became a mystery.
The Famous Song
The book is inspired by the song "Northwest Passage". This song has many important lyrics. The main part, called the chorus, is about John Franklin's expedition. There's even a final verse that was never officially recorded. Many people think this is one of the best Canadian songs ever. In 2005, it was even named the fourth best Canadian song.
The chorus of the song goes like this:
- Ah for just one time I would take the Northwest Passage,
- To find the hand of Franklin reaching for the Beaufort Sea,
- Tracing one warm line through a land so wild and savage,
- And make a Northwest Passage to the sea.
Matt James' Narration
Matt James narrates the book. He focuses on the story of John Franklin's challenging journey. He shares facts and details about the song itself. The narration includes a well-described story of the mystery. This mystery surrounds what happened to John Franklin and his crew. Franklin is described as brave, but perhaps not always the most careful explorer.
