National Holidays

In Melmed’s (The Rainbabies) counting book, one Pilgrim boy “sit[s] in a tree,/ dreaming of the tall, strong ship/ on which he crossed the sea”; on the opposite page, two girls “dressed in deerskin,/ gathering nuts below,/ [giggle] as they tiptoe by,/ too shy to say hello.” Although a passing reference to Squanto suggests collaboration, the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag remain segregated until the final scene. Buehner (It’s a Spoon, Not a Shovel) captures the beauty of autumnal skies and oceanside landscapes, but the uninitiated may be confused about how these two groups came to share the Thanksgiving table. Ages 3-8.

K-Gr 2-Through a simple, rhyming text of 12 short poems, young readers will experience 10 Wampanoag and 10 Pilgrim friends getting ready for the first harvest feast in the New World. Similar in scope and theme, and a great complement to B. G. Hennessy’s One Little, Two Little, Three Little Pilgrims (Viking, 2001; o.p.), this title adds the enjoyment of hidden pictures on each page. There is a turkey to find in each colorful spread and lots of small creatures to count. The feast scene has at least 10 critters, maybe more, frolicking, even making off with food. Lots of smiles and counting practice result in a super read-aloud.Pamela K. Bomboy, Chesterfield County Public Schools, VA