The Flying Canoe: A Christmas Story

A Charming French-Canadian Christmas Folktale

A beautifully illustrated children’s Christmas book based on an old Canadian legend also known as “The Bewitched Canoe.”  It’s Christmas Eve and six lonely fur traders are in the dark forests of the Canadian wilderness, longing to be with their families in Montreal on this special night. As they gather around the campfire reminiscing about home and family, a stranger appears and offers to grant their wish to be home with their families for Christmas.  Their wish will be granted on one condition, that is, no one should speak until they are back home safely in Montreal.  If they speak, they will be returned to the Canadian wilderness.  The men accept the strangers offer and begin their Christmas adventure.
This is a wonderful book, and most children will be charmed by this adventure story.  The pages are beautifully illustrated night scenes by Daniel San Souci and Justin San Souci, and the author has included notes about the history of this legend and information about other versions of the story.  Also included is a short glossary of French words scattered throughout the story.