The First Thanksgiving (Step-Into-Reading, Step 3) [Paperback]

Linda Hayward (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 5 and up | Grade Level: K and up | Series: Step into Reading

Illus. in full color. The story of the Pilgrims is vividly retold in simple language for beginning readers.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Easy- reader history is in demand, and this one is welcome. Illustrated with plenty of appealing watercolors."--Bulletin, Center for Children's Books.  

From the Inside Flap

Illus. in full color. The story of the Pilgrims is vividly retold in simple language for beginning readers.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 5 and up
  
• Paperback: 48 pages
• Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers (September 12, 1990)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0679802185
• ISBN-13: 978-0679802181
• Product Dimensions: 6 x 0.2 x 9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #315,099 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #41 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > People & Places > Holidays & Festivals > Thanksgiving
  • #51 in Books > Children's Books > Holidays & Celebrations > Thanksgiving

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A good addition to your child's historical library, September 27, 2000

By A Customer

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The First Thanksgiving (Step-Into-Reading, Step 3) (Paperback)

This history of the Pilgrims is very complete, given the reading level of the book. It is written for second to third grade students. The story covers the reasons for leaving England, the journey across the Atlantic, the first horrible winter, the meeting of Samoset and Squanto, the help given by the Indians and the Harvest Feast itself. The artwork is nicely done and adds to the content. Second grade students may find new vocabulary and challenging words to read, while third grade students should find the reading easy. A good asset for the teaching of American history to early elementary students.

25 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Good, but whitewashes history a bit., October 19, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: The First Thanksgiving (Turtleback School & Library Binding Edition) (Step Into Reading: A Step 2 Book) (School & Library Binding)

This is a good, easy-to-read description of the Pilgrim's journey to America, their hard winter, and the first "Thanksgiving" celebration. However, I think it whitewashes history a little too much. It virtually ignores the tension that existed between the Pilgrims and Indians. There needs to be a happy median struck between telling the truly wonderful aspects of that first Thanksgiving -- how the two peoples were able to come together, if only for a short time, to share the celebration -- while acknowledging there were difficulties in the relationship between Pilgrims amd Indians. This isn't being "politically correct" -- it's just acknowledging the truth to our children that relationships between those two groups of peoples were not usually easy. Life is complex, even for young children -- they will understand and appreciate being told the full story.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars The First Thanksgiving (Step-Into-Reading, Step 3), November 24, 2008

By 

Anna M. Ligtenberg "AnnaLovesBooks" (Chicago) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: The First Thanksgiving (Step-Into-Reading, Step 3) (Paperback)

ISBN 0679802185 - As the final Thanksgiving book on the shelf this year, The First Thanksgiving was one I was really curious to compare to The Plymouth Thanksgiving,. The similarities are almost as interesting as the details the two books differ on.

A group of people, not allowed to follow their own religious beliefs because they are different from the king's, plan a voyage to America, where they hope they will be able to worship as they choose. They know they will face dangers, and they do, but they survive a harsh winter and, with the help of an Indian named Squanto, they learn more about how to thrive in this new land. When the fall harvest comes, and is plentiful, the pilgrims have a feast and invite the Indians to join them.

Like Weisgard, author Linda Hayward calls the settlers "pilgrims", even though they themselves didn't use that name. While Weisgard's book mentions that some "pilgrims" relocated to Holland before returning to England and going on to America from there, Hayward has them going directly to America. Hayward, unlike Weisgard, admits that the pilgrims knew something about the land and the dangers they might face there. Hayward's version details some of the hardships onboard the Mayflower, while overlooking all the troubles the ship had in finding a suitable place to land. Hayward writes that the first Indians the pilgrims meet ran away, while Weisgard has them exchanging fire; Weisgard notes, accurately but vaguely, that the pilgrims took (stole) things they found, while Hayward just says they "found" wonderful things. Hayward acknowledges the tension between the pilgrims and the Indians, but Weisgard writes as if they were friendly at all times. Both books disregard the historically curious fact that, if they were certain that they were simply coming to dinner, Massasoit and his braves would surely have brought women and children. Neither book is historically accurate, but few books are, on this topic, and both reflect what our children are taught in school. If that bothers you, rather than bypass these books, I'd suggest reading both - and others - and using them to open a conversation, or even pursue a little research with your child.

As in Weisgard's book, Indians are Indians (although Hayward refers to Massasoit as an "Indian king", which is silly) - a note for those concerned with political correctness. For the religious and non-religious alike, although religion is mentioned and "a prayer of thanks" is said, no mention of any particular god is made. The book ends by mentioning Lincoln's proclamation that made Thanksgiving a national holiday, another nice opening for further research. James Watling's illustrations are a little pastel for me, at times, but they compliment the text nicely. This book is a Step 3, Reading On Your Own, book in the Step Into Reading set, for grades 1-3, a good fit because the story is exciting enough to keep them interested through new words.

- AnnaLovesBooks