Carson Crosses Canada
By Linda Bailey
The Story
A spirited older woman and her dog pack up their rattlebang car and drive province by province across Canada, discovering something special in each one, on their way to visit her sister in Newfoundland.
Why It's Special
For the kid who loves maps, road trips, and dogs with a favorite squeaky toy, this cross-country journey turns geography into an adventure worth taking again and again.
- Big idea: Getting there is its own kind of gift — the country itself, seen slowly and up close, is worth the trip.
- Vibes: Warm, breezy, and full of open-road charm, with a wink of humor in every province.
Perfect For Kids Who
- enjoy road trip and journey stories
- are curious about maps, provinces, and different places
- like to spot patterns and repeated details across pages
- love stories with a dog sidekick
Ask Your Little Reader
- Story & noticing: What was your favorite thing Annie and Carson discovered on their trip, like the grasshoppers in Saskatchewan or the lobster rolls in PEI?
- Imagination: If you packed a little rattlebang car for a road trip, what toy and snacks would you bring, like Carson's Squeaky Chicken and baloney sandwiches?
- Real-life connection: Have you ever gone on a long car trip to visit someone you love? What did you see along the way?
- Geography & curiosity: Which province or place from the book would you most want to visit yourself?
- Feelings & empathy: How do you think Carson felt when he finally got his surprise at the end?
