The Flying Canoe

The Flying Canoe retells a traditional French-Canadian folk legend about a group of lumberjacks who make a deal with the devil to fly home in their canoe on New Year's Eve. Set in Quebec's wilderness during the lumber trade era, the story follows their supernatural journey through the night sky. The narrative centers on the men's intense desire to return to their families and loved ones, driving them to accept the devil's terms despite the risks. Their adventure tests their faith, loyalty, and willingness to follow strict rules that come with their supernatural transport. The book incorporates elements of Quebec's cultural heritage, rural life, and the historical importance of the lumber industry. This version balances the folkloric roots with deeper questions about temptation, redemption, and the price of wishes granted.

Readers value this book's preservation of a classic French-Canadian folk tale and its ability to introduce children to Quebec's cultural heritage. Parents note that kids respond well to the fantastical premise and enjoy pointing out details in the illustrations. Common praise focuses on Peter Sis's artwork, with readers highlighting the dream-like quality of the images and the subtle visual jokes hidden throughout. Multiple reviewers mention using it successfully in elementary school classrooms to teach about Canadian folklore. Some readers found the narrative pacing uneven and noted that younger children had trouble following certain plot elements. A few reviews mentioned that the English translation feels stilted in places. Goodreads: 3.8/5 (42 ratings) Amazon: 4.3/5 (12 ratings) "The art carries the story when the text sometimes stumbles" - Goodreads reviewer "Perfect for teaching French-Canadian culture but needed some explanation for my 6-year-old" - Amazon reviewer

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🌟 Author Roch Carrier was inspired to write this tale after hearing traditional French-Canadian folklore about "la chasse-galerie" (the flying canoe) during his childhood in Quebec 🍁 The story blends supernatural elements with the real-life historical practice of Canadian voyageurs, who were fur traders that paddled canoes through the wilderness ⛄️ The book's winter setting reflects the importance of this season in Quebec culture, when traditional storytelling would often take place around the fireplace 🛶 The flying canoe legend typically involves lumberjacks making a deal with the devil to fly home to their loved ones on New Year's Eve - though Carrier adapts this for younger readers 🎨 The book features vivid illustrations by Sheldon Cohen, who also animated the National Film Board of Canada's adaptation of Carrier's other famous work, "The Hockey Sweater"