
audiobook
by Catharine Parr Strickland Traill
CANADIAN CRUSOES. - A TALE OF THE RICE LAKE PLAINS
By Catharine Parr Traill - Authoress Of “The Backwoods Of Canada, Etc.”
London: Arthur Hall, Virtue, & Co. 25, Paternoster Row. 1852. Dedicated To The Children Of The Settlers On The Rice Lake Plains, By Their Faithful Friend And Well-Wisher THE AUTHORESS. OAKLANDS, RICE LAKE, 15th Oct 1850
PREFACE
LIST OF ENGRAVINGS (Not included)
CHAPTER I.
CHAPTER II. - “Fear not, ye are of more value than many sparrows.”
CHAPTER III.
CHAPTER IV.
CHAPTER V.
Set against the untamed rice‑lake plains of early Canada, this tale follows a group of settler children who, separated from their families, must learn to survive in a wilderness that feels both beautiful and unforgiving. Their daily struggle for food, shelter, and direction echoes the classic lone‑island narrative, yet the story unfolds amid dense forests, hidden streams, and the ever‑present threat of cold. As they grapple with the land’s mysteries, the children discover that courage and cooperation are as essential as any tool they can craft.
Beyond the adventure, the narrative weaves a gentle lesson in natural history, introducing listeners to the region’s berries, roots, and wildlife through the very challenges the youngsters face. Each obstacle becomes an opportunity to observe, experiment, and respect the environment, turning the harshness of frontier life into a classroom of the wild. Young listeners will find both excitement and insight as they imagine the resourcefulness required to turn scarcity into sustenance.
Language
en
Duration
~8 hours (462K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by Juliet Sutherland, David Widger, and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team
Release date
2005-06-01
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1802–1899
A pioneering Canadian naturalist and writer, she turned settler life in the 19th century into vivid books about the land, its plants, and the practical art of living in the backwoods. Her work blends close observation with a warm, steady sense of curiosity.
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