Mary and her family are new to America, and normally Mary loves her new home. But Thanksgiving has arrived, and the family doesn't have much to celebrate with. Mary misses her best friend in Ireland and hasn't made any new friends, so she begins to think she doesn't have much to be thankful for. Then her father tells her a story about the first pilgrims, and how they struggled to survive. Native Americans showed them how to grow corn and other crops. Despite the many hardships, the first settlers still found much to be thankful for. Mary realizes that she, too, has much to be thankful for. Robert Papp's endearing paintings complement Kathy-jo Wargin's beautifully told story of a tradition that dates back to the Pilgrims--one that will kindle your own family's faith in God. Recommended for ages 4 to 7.
Mary is a modern pilgrim girl whose family came to this country for religious freedom. Her family faces hardships, but through the story of the first Thanksgiving, Mary recognizes her blessings.
Average Rating: 5 out of 5 stars(5 out of 5 stars)
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5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Shaun Tabatt (Cottage Grove, MN), November 15, 2008
Mary’s First Thanksgiving offers the reader a glimpse into the life of Mary and her family. This is their first Thanksgiving in America after leaving their home in Ireland to pursue religious freedom. They’re starting to feel more settled, but life is by no means easy. Mary’s father has secured employment shoveling coal, which allows him to put food on the table and heat their home. They have enough to get by, but there certainly isn’t anything in abundance. On the last day of school before Thanksgiving, Mary is dwelling on their situation as she hears the other children talking about the great feasts their families will be having for Thanksgiving. The more she dwells on it, the more she wonders if she has anything to really be thankful for. When Mary arrives home, her parents sense that something is wrong. She shares her feelings with her parents and they in turn tell her the story of the Pilgrims who came to America in pursuit religious freedom just like Mary’s family. Their first few years in America were far from easy, but they had much to be thankful for. Years after that first Thanksgiving, the colonists had a tradition of placing five kernels of corn on their plates to remind them of both the difficulties and blessings they endured when they first came to America. Just as the five kernels of corn represented five things the pilgrims had been thankful for, Mary’s family shared five things they can be thankful for in the midst of their current circumstances.
Your children will certainly enjoy Mary’s First Thanksgiving. The story accomplishes two important things. First it reminds us of the historical context of the Thanksgiving holiday. Second, it reminds parents and children that there is much we should be thankful for even in the midst of difficult life circumstances. Be sure to sure share Mary’s First Thanksgiving with your family during this holiday season.
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by MJ (Georgia, USA), September 20, 2008
Absolutely wonderful! After reading this book I had chills. This is an inspirational story of gratefulness and Kathy-jo does a great job of telling it. The story is wonderful and a lesson to keep with you always. This makes a perfect Thanksgiving book, but I'd say it could be on the shelf year round. The pictures are incredible, absolutely amazing! I have never seen such in a children's book that I have ever liked more. They are so life-like I almost insist they were from a a camera. Robert Papp is my new favorite artist, they are just that good.
I cannot rant and rave about this book enough. Get it for your shelves, get it for your friends. The pages within are so touching and great. I know this is a definite keeper and I'm glad.
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