Celebrations are never complete without stories.
And our American Thanksgiving is full of stories.
You can Learn from the Pilgrims and Puritans in my blog, but there are many more picture books and chapter books that are lovely to read aloud to your children or grandchildren.
Here are some picture books to read aloud.
Picture Books to Read Aloud
Samuel Eaton’s Day: A Day in the Life of a Pilgrim Boy by Kate Waters with Photographs by Russ Kendall (Scholastic 1989) is a lovely picture book with photographs taken at Plimoth Plantation, a living history museum. Samuel sailed over on the Mayflower with the Pilgrims. At the beginning of the book, you meet Samuel and he shows you his village. Then we go through his entire day with him, from putting on his stockings to doing his chores, from helping with the rye harvest to gathering mussels for the evening meal.
My children loved this book when they were little. Children love to learn about other children! Samuel is obedient and prays before he goes to sleep. The family says a blessing before their meals. It’s refreshing to see prayer included in a Scholastic book. I don’t know if this has been edited out of more recent versions. The photographs are vivid and attractive. There is a also a section in the back where you can learn more about Samuel Morton, Plimoth Plantation, and the rye harvest at the back of the book.
My children loved this book when they were little. Children love to learn about other children! Samuel is obedient and prays before he goes to sleep. The family says a blessing before their meals. It’s refreshing to see prayer included in a Scholastic book. I don’t know if this has been edited out of more recent versions. The photographs are vivid and attractive. There is a also a section in the back where you can learn more about Samuel Morton, Plimoth Plantation, and the rye harvest at the back of the book.
Sarah Morton’s Day: A Day in the Life of a Pilgrim Girl by Kate Waters with Photographs by Russ Kendall (Scholastic 1989) is similar to Samuel Morton’s Day with photographs taken at Plimoth Plantation too. Sarah introduces herself at the beginning of the book and you follow her through her day. She came over on the Anne in 1623 to Plimoth Plantation. Like the pilgrims who came over on the Mayflower, the family had first lived in Holland. The story is set in 1627. Sarah’s father has died and her mother has remarried. The story line is based on her relationship with her new father.
Girls will appreciate not having to wear so many petticoats when they see Sarah get dressed. Don’t worry—all photographs are completely modest. Sarah helps her mother, feeds the animals, churns butter, cooks, polishes brass and has a writing lesson with her new father. After supper, Father quizzes her on her Bible memorization.
This picture book was another favorite with my children. Though children often prefer art illustrations, these photographs will capture the interest of children of all ages.
Girls will appreciate not having to wear so many petticoats when they see Sarah get dressed. Don’t worry—all photographs are completely modest. Sarah helps her mother, feeds the animals, churns butter, cooks, polishes brass and has a writing lesson with her new father. After supper, Father quizzes her on her Bible memorization.
This picture book was another favorite with my children. Though children often prefer art illustrations, these photographs will capture the interest of children of all ages.
Cranberry Thanksgiving by Wende and Harry Devlin (Parents Magazine Press 1974) is one of my favorite Thanksgiving picture books. Set in Massachusetts, near a cranberry bog, this story introduces Maggie, who lives with her grandmother. Grandmother is famous for her secret recipe cranberry bread. Grandmother and Maggie both invite a guest to dinner. Grandmother invites Mr. Horace who smells of lavender while Maggie invites Mr. Whiskers who just smells like he needs a bath. When the cranberry bread recipe is stolen, the excitement begins. Who will save the day? This is a fun story! Maggie and her grandmother model hospitality too.
Don’t forget to try the cranberry bread recipe at the back of the book. It’s grandmother’s secret recipe!
Don’t forget to try the cranberry bread recipe at the back of the book. It’s grandmother’s secret recipe!
Squanto and the Miracle of Thanksgiving by Eric Metaxas (Thomas Nelson Publishers) is a delightful story that is beautifully illustrated. The story opens with Squanto’s kidnapping by Spanish conquistadors in 1608. He is kidnapped from his Patuxet Village in present-day Massachusetts. All the other captives are sold into slavery in Spain, but God has a plan for Squanto’s life. He is bought by some monks who teach him to read and write. They also teach him about Jesus. The monks entrust him to a godly British man who will take him back to London so that he can get back across the Atlantic to his home. But, when Squanto returns home in 1618, he finds that his entire tribe has been wiped out by disease. He finds strength in God and when the pilgrims arrive in 1620, he provides much-needed friendship to the newcomers. Governor Bradford tell Squanto, “Maybe God sent you to be our Joseph.”
This story is true, but not well-known. Like Joseph, Squanto was treated harshly and found himself a slave. But, like Joseph, God had never stopped caring for Squanto and he was used to be a blessing to God’s people.
This story is true, but not well-known. Like Joseph, Squanto was treated harshly and found himself a slave. But, like Joseph, God had never stopped caring for Squanto and he was used to be a blessing to God’s people.
Celebrate Thanksgiving
If you are interested in learning more about celebrating Thanksgiving, I encourage you to purchase Celebrate Thanksgiving where you will not only learn the entire story of the Pilgrims, but you will read devotions, prayers, Scriptures, and poems that will inspire you. This book has everything you need to make your holiday Christ-centered and meaningful with recipes, crafts, and celebrations to try out in your own home.
What a glorious reason to celebrate Thanksgiving is! How wonderful to set aside time to give thanks to Almighty God who has blessed us with so many incredible gifts. My print copy of Celebrate Thanksgiving is available at Amazon and the E-book can be purchased at PayHip.
Happy Thanksgiving
Merey
(Meredith Ludwig Curtis
What a glorious reason to celebrate Thanksgiving is! How wonderful to set aside time to give thanks to Almighty God who has blessed us with so many incredible gifts. My print copy of Celebrate Thanksgiving is available at Amazon and the E-book can be purchased at PayHip.
Happy Thanksgiving
Merey
(Meredith Ludwig Curtis
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