Flags of Canada: Flag Literature

This book provides the reader with information on the national flag of Canada as well as the history of national flags in Canada

This popular one-stop reference to the national flag of Canada has been updated and revised. Ann-Maureen Owens and Jane Yealland start with basic background on all the different flags that have flown over Canadian land, and why they flew there. They then turn to the fascinating play-by-play of how today's beloved maple leaf flag design came to be --- including how some government leaders took a personal interest in the design, as well as how ordinary Canadians were given the opportunity to weigh in with their own ideas. The authors further round out the flag topic with illustrations and descriptions of Canadian provincial flags, flag designs from other countries and a brief recap of how people have used flags throughout history. There are two craft activities, perfect for classroom use: one for making a Canadian flag and its flagpole, and one for creating international code signal flags.

The story of the Maple Leaf Flag is the history of Canada as seen through the evolution of our national symbol. Looking back from the first decade of the 21st century, the design we chose seems obvious, inevitable. But in 1964, at the height of Great Flag Debate, the home-grown leaf eked out a narrow victory over the symbols of Canada’s colonial past. Yet in the more than 45 years since its birth on February 15, 1965, the red-and-white Maple Leaf has become indisputably one of the world’s great flags. Source: http://www.flagforcanada.ca/

This book takes a simple look at the Canadian flag, examining its origins, history and on-going significance as a symbol of Canada.  

The only children's book of its kind, Canada's Maple Leaf is a colorful history of Canada's unique flag. Kids will learn about the first flags that flew over Canada, the country's loyalty to the British flag and the great flag debate that led to our current flag. They'll see colorful images of provincial and territorial (including Nunavut's) flags and read fascinating stories about flags from around the world. This illustrated history includes flag etiquette, flag-raising procedures and how to send messages with international flag codes. Kids can also make and fly their own Canadian flag, by tracing the maple leaf in the book!