Janice Weaver notes that both photography and the nation of Canada were invented in the mid-1800s, an observation that makes a compelling argument for telling our national story through photographs. Weaver, an accomplished non-fiction writer for children, pairs striking images with historical narratives, covering the monumental (e.g., building the CPR, the First and Second World Wars, the Halifax Explosion, the Riel Rebellion) and the quotidian (kids playing, family portraits, costume parties).

Weaver presents a complex view of Canadian history, focusing her lens on abuses of power, such as the internment of Japanese Canadians and police brutality during the Winnipeg General Strike. She gives photography a similarly sophisticated treatment, reminding readers that photographs are highly mediated and therefore must be considered in context. Such approaches challenge young audiences in crucial, but still accessible, ways.

While younger children may enjoy looking at the pictures, the text is best suited for ages eight and up, and assumes general knowledge that many kids may not have (what the KKK is, for instance). Weaver writes very stylishly, which means that adults will also find the book engaging.

However, readers of all ages may share my frustration over the lack of captions, a particularly confusing omission since many passages do not explicitly tell the photo’s story or explain why it is important. (For example, the story of the 1982 repatriation of the Constitution mentions Trudeau, but leaves readers to identify him in the image.) Still, Mirror with a Memory is a beautifully produced and well-written book that teachers, parents, and, most importantly, kids will find useful and engrossing.