Canadians made the world’s mightiest cheese. They invented some of its most unlikely place names including Tickle Cove, Punky Doodle’s Corners and Medicine Hat. They imagined legendary characters such as Big Joe Mufferaw. They became amazing athletes such as Vicki Keith. They cooked the best bagels anywhere and savoured some of its sublime edible specialties—Newfoundland toutons, anyone?

Canadian Greats is a celebration of a great nation’s innovations, idiosyncrasies, and icons. Each of the fifty entries explains in lively prose and telling detail just what it is that makes that particular Canadian Great so great. More than 100 evocative illustrations that range from old photographs and period illustrations to specially commissioned artwork bring the entries to life.

Some of these greats cannot be found in conventional Canadian history books but all of them are what help to make Canada special. Kids will pick up Canadian Greats for the fun of it and to gain a deeper appreciation of the diversity and splendour of Canada and Canadians.

IAN COUTTS is an award-winning Toronto-based author. His recent titles include Titanic: The Last Great Images, Dadzooks, The Ultimate Guys’ Q and A, and Backyard Birds.

CATHERINE LYONS-KING has wide-ranging experience as a writer, including stints at the Montreal Gazette and Toronto's Globe and Mail.