Thankful: The First Thanksgiving by Nancy Davis

THIS IS THE SHIP THAT SAILED THE SEA...

How to introduce our Thanksgiving traditions to the very youngest among us?

The historical story is a complex tale, full of human hope, failures, political maneuverings, religious fervor and prejudices, and ironic historical luck (Squanto appearing, speaking fluent English, to save the immigrants from their ignorance of survival skills in the New World, for example).

But little ones need a simple story, and Nancy Davis's The First Thanksgiving: A Lift-the-Flap Book (Little, Brown, 2010) is a good starting place. With rounded figures in a limited autumn palette set against bright white board pages, in simple verse the story is told of a group of hopeful immigrants seeking a better life, having difficulties, helped by the old settlers led by Squanto, and celebrating with a big outdoor party for themselves and their friends. With sturdy flaps to provide a bit of anticipation for young fingers to explore, Davis' text tells the old, old story well.

GRATEFUL FOR THE NEW HOME SO FAR AWAY...
THE PILGRIMS CELEBRATED THE FIRST THANKSGIVING DAY.

Children's Literature says "In addition to the obvious historical lesson about the Pilgrims' settlement of the Massachusetts colony, this book can be expanded to lessons on cooperation, sharing, and helping our neighbors."