Pilgrim Cat (Albert Whitman Prairie Books) [Paperback]

Carol Antoinette Peacock (Author), Doris Ettlinger (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 2004 | Grade Level: 2 and up | Series: Albert Whitman Prairie Books

When young Pilgrim Faith Barrett discovers a stray cat on the Mayflower, she names her new friend Pounce. Together they face the long, cramped voyage and the perils of the first winter at the Plymouth colony.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 3–With a mighty leap, a cat chases a mouse onto the deck of the departing Mayflower. Faith, who is sailing from England to the New World with her family, sees the feline and is captivated by it. This book follows their rough trip across the ocean, their arrival in Plymouth, and the building of the new colony. The girl's relationship with Pounce provides a familiar thread throughout the story of the first Thanksgiving. Although Faith had been taught to fear "the Natives," her prejudices are soon dispelled. The Wampanoag are depicted as respected teachers and friends who welcome the newcomers. With a pleasing variety of layouts and perspectives, Ettlinger's soft watercolors portray the setting and add emotion to the narrative. The attention-grabbing cover features the cat, large in the foreground, with a scene of settlement life in the background. Interesting details and a touch of old-fashioned language convey just the right amount of information to introduce readers to this part of history. An excellent choice for units on the Pilgrims and Thanksgiving and for holiday picture-book collections.–Mary Hazelton, Warren Community School, ME
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From Booklist

K-Gr. 3. This charming story of a feline stowaway aboard the Mayflower provides an approachable introduction to the Colonial period, even though Pounce the cat and Faith, Pounce's fellow passenger and the story's narrator, are fictional. Details in both text and art are grounded in historical fact, including the Pilgrims' desire to worship as they please; the cramped, wet conditions aboard the ship; and the Pilgrims' initially amicable relations with Native Americans. Softly colored, realistic illustrations portray Pounce's adventures from a variety of perspectives, on board the ship and ashore in the New World, until he mysteriously disappears. Alert readers may guess the outcome: "he" turns out to be "she," and delivers a litter of kittens, which serves nicely as a symbol of the birth of the new nation. An introductory author's note discusses what is fact and what is fiction. Diane Foote
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 32 pages
• Publisher: Albert Whitman & Company (September 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0807565334
• ISBN-13: 978-0807565339
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 10.3 x 0.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,302,568 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Pilgrim Cat, October 16, 2007

By 

A Mom who reads (Washington State) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Pilgrim Cat (Albert Whitman Prairie Books) (Paperback)

Reading this book children can learn about history and enjoy it. The text is well written and drawings are beautifully done.

In this book a young pilgrim girl becomes very attached to a "mouser" on the ship and keeps it as her pet. This book is sure to be a classic and a fun read for any family or a great addition to classroom study of the pilgrims.

Cats were know to be on the Mayflower but I had never seen one used in such a simple but creative way in the telling of the Pilgrims Story. This book tells of their difficult journey and that hardships followed during the first winter in way children can relate to much more easily because of the girl and her cat.

You will learn how Squanto helped the pilgrims and how they survived because of the kindness of the Indians. The style of speach the girl in this book uses will give children a better idea of the way pilgrims talked but it is simple and not overdone.

The book ends with a Wampanoag and pilgrim feast. Your children may be surprised at the menu. This is not just another turkey and pumpkin pie Thanksgiving book. This was a wonderful idea that was well researched and turned into an enjoyable story for children that is fun for adults to read as well.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Nice Book about the Pilgrims and a Cat, November 16, 2008

By 

Lynn Ellingwood "The ESOL Teacher" (Webster, NY United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Pilgrim Cat (Albert Whitman Prairie Books) (Paperback)

I thought this book was nice because it personifies the pilgrims and makes them people. Apparently the author did find out that the pilgrims did bring cats with them so it is not out of the question that a girl and a cat developed a close relationship on the ship. It is a very nice simple story.