Photo: Michael-N

Something interesting happened when I started working at the Children's Center at 42nd Street in July 2010. I have lived in New York for over 13 years and up until last summer, I could count on one hand the number of times someone has recognized my accent. People would often say "you're not from here," but they could not place me on a map. I now have customers commenting on my Canadian accent on a weekly basis. I always laugh and ask them what tipped them off since I do not say "eh." The word "about" gives me away every time.

Since Canada Day (July 1) is just around the corner, here are some books with Canadian ties to help kick off the festivities:

• Franklin in the Dark by Paulette Bourgeois 
• The Incredible Journey by Sheila Every Burnford
• I Know Here by Laurel Croza 
• Elijah of Buxton by Christopher Paul Curtis
• Stella, Princess of the Sky by Marie-Louise Gay
• Watch Me Grow!: A Down-to-Earth Look at Growing Food in the City by Deborah Hodge 
• Dinosaur Dinner with a Slice of Alligator Pie: Favorite Poems by Dennis Lee
• Hana's Suitcase: A True Story by Karen Levine 
• Anne of Green Gables  by L. M. Montgomery 
• The Paper Bag Princess  by Robert N. Munsch 
• Silverwing  by Kenneth Oppel 
• The Subway Mouse  by Barbara Reid 
• Jacob Two-Two Meets the Hooded Fang by Mordecai Richler 
• Scaredy Squirrel by Melanie Watt 
• Please, Louise! by Frieda Wishinsky 

Enjoy! Do not forget to register for your library's summer reading program.