Ring Around the Maple

This book provides an in-depth look at the experiences of children in Canada from 1850 to 2000, highlighting diverse perspectives and historical contexts. Ring Around the Maple is a vital resource for understanding childhood.

Exploring the condition of children in Canada from approximately 1850 to 2000, Ring Around the Maple delves into a transformative period where modernity increasingly disrupted traditional ways. Authors Cynthia Comacchio and Neil Sutherland meticulously trace the lives of children during this 'long century,' synthesizing a rich body of interdisciplinary literature that has developed since the 1970s. Their work presents a comprehensive overview of childhood, highlighting the complexities and nuances that define this critical aspect of society.

The authors incorporate new research, drawing from a diverse array of archival and published primary sources. They emphasize that 'the child' and the concept of childhood are sociohistoric constructs, employing age as both an analytical and relational lens. This allows for a discussion of the constants and variants in childhood experiences, revealing how the modernization of childhood was not universally experienced but rather shaped by factors such as race, gender, culture, and region.

Ring Around the Maple also prioritizes children's perspectives through critical readings of diaries, memoirs, interviews, and oral histories, many of which are found in obscure archives. This book uniquely intertwines the experiences of First Nations, Métis, and Inuit children with those from various settler groups, making it a significant contribution to historical discussions. The authors utilize a variety of visual and aural testimonies, including photographs and media, to illustrate the lives of ordinary children, ultimately appealing to historians, social scientists, and general readers alike.