Michael Ulmer

The alphabet book has nearly become a genre of its own within the world of children’s literature. With every child’s bookshelf containing one or two alphabet books that proclaim, “A is for Apple, B is for Banana” or alternately, “A is for Ant, B is for Bear,” it’s easy to see how the elegant and informative alphabet titles from Sleeping Bear Press are redefining the genre.

M is for Maple: A Canadian Alphabet by Mike Ulmer is quickly becoming the quintessential Canadian version show more of the alphabet book. Illustrated in rich, glowing oils by accomplished artist Melanie Rose, and covering a broad range of topics that are woven deeply throughout the culture of Canada, this beautiful book is both appealing and useful in a wide variety of age groups and settings.

Each letter of the alphabet is introduced through rhyming text that draws out one symbol, historical personage, location, people group, sport, and so on, that helps to capture the spirit of Canada as a whole.

So instead of a simple, “A is for Anne,” readers are treated to:

“A is for Anne – that’s Anne with an E
a red headed orphan who loved Avonlea.
The Cuthberts had thought they were adopting a boy,
But that red headed girl would be their pride and their joy.”

Informative sidebar text that digs into the presented subject matter provides background information, facts, and trivia – leaving readers ‘in the know’ about important Canadian topics. Adding to the educational element, Sleeping Bear Press also has a free downloadable teaching guide available for grades 2 – 6, helping teachers dig deeper into the presented materials with their students. Literature, geography, social studies, research, writing, and history extensions are provided to accompany each letter and topic as it appears in M is for Maple.

Depending upon the age of the audience, this versatile work can be read several ways. Preschoolers will enjoy the rhyming text and vibrant illustrations that appear in either two-page spreads or on single pages – it is even available in a board-book edition for the tiniest Canada lovers. Early elementary students can dig into the informative sidebars as well, and children who are familiar with basic mapping, reading, and writing skills can delve into a fuller unit-based study of Canada with the book and teaching guide serving as a spine.

Far from being limited in interest to children – the handsome hardcover makes an irresistible coffee table book – relatives have nabbed our copy whenever we visit with it on hand. My twenty-something sister exclaimed in delight over, “B is for Banting, B is for Best,” and my seventy-something grandmother has poured over it several times.

It was her eagle eyes that happened to catch two small errors in the factual text that could have easily been caught by a good fact checker. Downtown Winnipeg is well known for having the windiest corner in Canada, but not the coldest and Cape Breton Island is part of Nova Scotia, not New Brunswick. Thanks Grandma. Other than these two counts, the remainder of the information presented seems sound.

NOTE: These errors have since been corrected in the current version.

In only 26 letters, Ulmer’s introduction to the alphabet and Canada covers a large territory both geographically and in the number of foundational ‘pegs’ for children to hang additional knowledge on as they grow. From coast to coast to coast, from city to field, from past to present, the broad selection of topics join together to form a tapestry familiar to all who know and love Canada. Whether in the library, schoolroom, or home, M is for Maple is sure to hold onto its status as a classic in Canadiana for children for years to come.

Reviewed at quiverfullfamily.com show less

The Toronto Maple Leaf Hockey Club is one of the National Hockey Leagues “Original Six” franchises and one of the most storied teams in hockey history. Only one team has won the revered Stanley Cup more than Toronto’s 13 triumphs in spite of the fact that they haven’t attained that honour since 1967.

Author Mike Ulmer and artist Melanie Rose have joined forces to produce a strikingly illustrated children’s book introducing the rich history of the Maple Leafs to a new generation of show more young readers.

Ulmer’s rhyming text covers a variety of topics, places, people and terminology relating to the Maple Leafs and hockey in general. While there are a few biographical glimpses of the Maple Leafs greats, there is also a great deal of the rather banal and generic. For instance D is for dressing room; E is for equipment; F is for faceoff; G is for goalie [without highlighting the Leafs’ greatest examples]; H is for Hockey Hall of Fame [without mentioning which Leafs are in it]; I is for ice; Q is for quest for the Stanley Cup [without mentioning how many times it was won by Leafs], etc..

In this book M is for Maple Leaf. Unfortunately it might also stand for a missed opportunity to profile the many remarkable individuals and events connected with the iconic Maple Leaf Hockey Club. Pity! show less

I can't help but be bothered by the appropriation. Ulmer admits that the real stories belong to the Inuit and other Native people themselves... but then why didn't he get their ok before publishing this, or just not? It is a nice story, with pretty pictures, but "Own Voices" is important, and here it is ignored.

Although this alphabet book definitely leans towards the Toronto Maple Leafs, 'M Is for Maple Leafs: An Official Toronto Maple Leafs Alphabet Book' is more an alphabet book about hockey in general. Each letter is accompanied by a couple of rhyming lines describing the chosen 'word'. Additionally, the author, Michael Ulmer, has added a few more lines giving more information and/or history about the chosen 'word' for that letter. The extra information adds to the enjoyment of the book and show more helps to keep the book relevant to adults and children alike. Melanie Rose did a fantastic job as illustrator; the pictures are bright, active and engaging. When I read the book I was expecting it to be entirely about the Maple Leafs, but was pleasantly surprised when Ulmer highlighted the Leafs (eg. A is for the Air Canada Centre) but focused on hockey in general (eg. O is for off side). As designed the book is a nice introduction to hockey for a brand new fan and is the perfect gift to give a hockey-enthusiastic family who recently had a new arrival. An extra bonus is the second alphabet list at the end of the book, just in case reader's didn't get enough on the first round! show less