Hannah+Perkins


 * Children's Literature**



**__ NONFICTION __** 1. Hayward, Linda. 1990. Random House. **The First Thanksgiving**. 48 pages. Tempe Public Library. __ SUMMARY __ : This book talks about the first Thanksgiving. It goes in chronological order from why the Pilgrims left England and how they traveled over to America for religious freedom. The book then goes into how the Pilgrims and Native Americans lived and how they came to find each other in America. This particular book gives a lot of facts and dates on the time during the first Thanksgiving as well. The book mainly focuses on the facts and people that were involved in that time, but it does bring up a lot of the rituals and traditions that both the Native Americans and the Pilgrims shared with each other.

__ INTEGRATION __ : This book would be perfect to integrate in the classroom more for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd grade. This book contains a lot of facts regarding people involved in the first Thanksgiving, and how they came together to celebrate. I think that you could use this book to incorporate writing, as well as this book is an intro to reading book. This would be a good book to have children who read at a lower level prior to reading a more extensive book because it has less words and more pictures. This book could be used to integrate social studies into the classroom, as well as you can create activities that deal with comparing and contrasting.

2. Sorensen, Lynda. 1994. The Rourke Press, Inc. **Thanksgiving**. 24 pages. Balsz School Library. __ SUMMARY __ : This book focuses primarily on Thanksgiving and the history behind it. It starts off talking about Thanksgiving, the Pilgrims, and then goes into more about how Thanksgiving was celebrated and how it is celebrated today. The book is a fairly small book and does contain much information on the different aspects of Thanksgiving. They also talk about Thanksgiving celebrated in different nations. __ INTEGRATION __ : This book could be used to integrate multiple areas of curriculum. Since this book is more general about Thanksgiving rather than just solely talking about Native Americans and Pilgrims, you could teach how they are the ones who came together to celebrate the first Thanksgiving and how they influence the way we celebrate it now. This would be a good book to introduce during reading time and social studies. You could even use this book for sequencing a series of events. 3. Lund, Bill. 1998. Bridgestone Books. **The Wampanoag Indians.** 24 pages. Tempe Public Library. __ SUMMARY __ : This book is a nonfiction book on the Wampanoag Indians. It offers an introduction to the history, customs, and past and present day lives of the Wampanoag Indians. The book talks about the different characteristics and facts about this particular group. They talk about the land they settled on and where they are located now, as well as they talk about the food they eat, the clothes they wear, and the languages that they speak. __ INTEGRATION __ : This book would be really great to use when talking about cultural differences, and that even between cultures, there are differences. This book could definitely be used for a Thanksgiving unit plan, because the Wampanoag Indians were the first group of Native Americans that were part of the first Thanksgiving. This book could also be used for a geography lesson on different areas in the United States or even talking about bodies of water that surround the land. 4. Flanagan, Alice. 1998. Grolier Publishing Co., Inc. **The Wampanoags**. 46 pages. Tempe Public Library. __ SUMMARY __ : This book talks about the Native American tribe, the Wampanoag Indians. They talk about how they were the first to meet the early English settlers, known as the Pilgrims. This book offers kid friendly language, and really gives a plethora of facts about the interaction between the Native Americans and the Pilgrims. This book also goes on to talk about how the Wampanoag Indians were a generous people, and how they helped the Pilgrims to survive their first years in the new land. __ INTEGRATION __ : This book being mainly facts, I think that this would be a fun book to have the children read aloud with the teacher, and then have the children draw and write ways that the Native Americans and Pilgrims helped each other. This book could be integrated into Social Studies as well. You could have the children learn about the cultural differences and similarities between the two groups of people. The teacher could even bring clothing and food into the class for children to explore in a different way how these two groups of people lived during that time. 5. Jackson, Garnet. 2000. Scholastic Inc. **The First Thanksgiving**__.__ 38 pages. Tempe Public Library. __ SUMMARY __ : This book is a kid-friendly book that has simple language for children to read and understand. The book talks about the hardships that the Pilgrims faced during their first years in the new land, and how the Native Americans helped them to survive during those years. This book also describes the first Thanksgiving celebration and what the Native Americans and Pilgrims did during that celebration. The book talks about different traditions and foods that were present during the first Thanksgiving. __ INTEGRATION __ : This book could easily be integrated with writing. The children could write about the differences and similarities between the first Thanksgiving, and the way that we celebrate it now. A teacher could also use this book for Social Studies. The teacher could have the children learn about how you can work together and help each other out in order to make peace, just like the Native Americans and the Pilgrims did. The teacher could integrate this book into dramatic arts by having some children act as the Pilgrims, and some children acting as the Native Americans. This would make it engaging and a way to incorporate student-to-student interaction within a lesson. **__ FICTION __** 1. Accorsi, William. 1992. Holiday House. **Friendship’s First Thanksgiving**. 28 pages. Tempe Public Library. __ SUMMARY __ : This story is a fiction story for young children. The story is told by a dog named Friendship. Friendship talks about being a Pilgrim dog, and his journey to America with the Pilgrims. Friendship meets two Native Americans that he becomes friends with and along the way makes friends with a Native American dog. Friendship talks about how he likes the New World and how he gives thanks at the first Thanksgiving with both the Pilgrims and the Native Americans. __ INTEGRATION __ : This story would be good to integrate into writing about personal experiences with moving and making new friends in new places. This would also be a good book to integrate into art. Students could recreate scenes from the book that are their personal favorites, or create artwork to express what friendship means to them. 2. Alcott, Louisa May. 1882. HarperCollins Publishers. **An Old-Fashioned Thanksgiving**. 32 pages. Private Collection. __ SUMMARY __ : Thanksgiving morning has arrived and the Bassett family’s kitchen is filled with hustle and bustle of the holiday. However, this year something is different. Tilly, Prue, and their brothers and sisters have been left in charge of everything to cook for Thanksgiving. They throw on their aprons and step into the kitchen, but are they really up for the challenge of cooking a Thanksgiving feast? You will find out in this wonderful story that has a spirit of a truly old-fashioned Thanksgiving. __ INTEGRATION __ : This story would be really fun to integrate into science. You can have the children cook different items that were made in the story and taste them to see if they turned out well. That in turn could be integrated into math by having the children take measurements of ingredients to see what they will need to make the food. Children after they have made and tasted the food, can create a bar graph of their favorite foods with the class to see which dishes were liked the least and the most. This book could also be integrated into a writing activity. Children could write a recipe for one of their favorite Thanksgiving dishes and share it with the class. 3. Dalgliesh, Alice. 1990. Scholastic Inc. **The Thanksgiving Story**. 28 pages. Balsz School Library. __ SUMMARY __ : This book is about the very first Thanksgiving that happened more than 300 years ago. The book is split up in sections that focus on different events that took place leading up to the first Thanksgiving. The majority of the story is talking about the Pilgrims and their journey over to America, and then transitions into them meeting the Native Americans and helping each other in the New World. The story ends with both coming together for the first Thanksgiving. __ INTEGRATION __ : This book would be really good to integrate into social studies and learning about types of transportation such as ships. The children could create and label their own ships to better understand the transportation that the Pilgrims used. I also think this book would be good to integrate into a math activity. The story shows what kind of food that they ate during the first Thanksgiving so as a class you can make a chart to show what children like what food the most in comparison to their classmates. I also think that this book would be good to integrate into writing. Children could write about what they think it would have been like if they had attended the first Thanksgiving. 4. DeLage, Ida. 1980. Garrard Publishing Company. **Pilgrim Children on the Mayflower**. 48 pages. Balsz School Library. __ SUMMARY __ : The entire book talks about children who came over on the Mayflower. This particular book would be considered realistic fiction. It talks about their journey over to America, as well as how they lived their lives during that time. The story is from the children’s perspectives and what they endured coming over to America. Towards the end of the story, they talk about how they came in contact with the Native Americans and their experience. The vocabulary used in this story is in pretty simple terms and sentences so children would have an easier time understanding the message of the story.

__ INTEGRATION __ : This particular story would be good to compare and contrast the lives of the children compared to the children in the classroom. This book would also be good to incorporate writing. Children could write about their own personal experience leaving their home to a new land or using a different type of transportation. You can also use this book to talk about comparing and contrasting, as well as geography because it talks about where they traveled.

5. DeLage, Ida. 1981. Garrard Publishing Company. **Pilgrim Children Come to Plymouth**. 48 pages. Balsz School Library. __ SUMMARY __ : This book talks about children who come over to Plymouth. This book is also considered realistic fiction. The book depicts the Pilgrims’ first year at Plymouth, their hardships, their relations with the Indians, and the first Thanksgiving celebration. This book also talks about the historical aspects of where they came from and where they settled.

__ INTEGRATION __ : This book would be really good to incorporate historical events and sequencing of events. Teachers could use this book to be integrated with geography of where the Pilgrims were and where they traveled. This would also be a good book to incorporate into writing. Students could write about their perceptions on the Pilgrim children and how they are similar and different from their own lives.

6. Hillert, Margaret. 1982. **Why We Have Thanksgiving**. Follett Publishing Company. 31 pages. Tempe Public Library. __ SUMMARY __ :

This book relates to the journey of the Pilgrims to America and talks about their struggles during the first year that culminated in the celebration with the first Thanksgiving. It goes in chronological order from the Pilgrims leaving their homeland to come to America on the Mayflower, to the hard winter they faced, to coming in contact with the Native Americans for the first Thanksgiving. The story ends with the coming together of the first Thanksgiving with the Pilgrims and the Native Americans.

__ INTEGRATION __ :

This book would be great to integrate into writing. The children could write about why they personally celebrate Thanksgiving with their families and what it means to them. This book could also be integrated into history. The students could learn the history between the British and why they left their homeland in the first place, which as we know was for religious freedom. Children could learn more about different countries and geographies using this book as well.

7. Kroll, Steven. 1988. Scholastic Inc. **Oh, What a Thanksgiving**! 30 pages. Tempe Public Library. __ SUMMARY __ : This story is about a little boy daydreaming throughout the day about what it would have been like to take part in the first Thanksgiving. The boy, David, transports himself back to 1621 at different parts in his day such as walking home, imagining he’s on the Mayflower, and walking home, imagining it as a small cottage for the Pilgrims. David’s wild imagination takes him right into the action of what was happening when the Pilgrims and the Native Americans came together for the first Thanksgiving. The story concludes with David celebrating Thanksgiving with his own family, and just like the Native Americans and Pilgrims did, being thankful for your family and friends and being together was important then and now. __ INTEGRATION __ : This book could easily be integrated into writing. The children can imagine themselves being back in 1621 during the first Thanksgiving and write about their experience with the Pilgrims and the Native Americans. This book could also be integrated into social studies and learning about the culture and how the Pilgrims and Native Americans lived compared to how we do today in modern America. This book could also be integrated into a math lesson. This book could also be integrated with history since David in the story meets famous figures that took part in the first Thanksgiving. Children can learn the history and importance of those people such as Chief Massasoit and Miles Standish. 8. Pilkey, Dav. 1990. Scholastic Inc. **‘Twas The Night Before Thanksgiving**. 32 pages. Private Collection. __ SUMMARY __ : The author of this book adapts the classic story of the Christmas poem to tell this wacky Thanksgiving tale. It all takes place the day before Thanksgiving, eight boys and eight girls take a field trip to a turkey farm. The children have fun playing with turkeys, but are shocked to learn that Farmer Mack Nuggett plans to kill all the turkeys for Thanksgiving dinners. The children decide to smuggle all the turkeys home, and all their Thanksgiving dinners become vegetarian this year and they saved all the turkeys’ lives. __ INTEGRATION __ : This book could be integrated into reading by comparing and contrasting this story with the original Christmas poem, “’Twas The Night Before Christmas”. This book could also be integrated into writing by having the children try and write their own version of the story, still sticking to the theme, 'Twas the night before… Children could choose any event they like that is of interest of them to write about what happened the night before. This book could also be incorporated into social studies and talking about how different people eat different things on Thanksgiving based on their culture and eating habits, such as being a vegetarian. You could integrate this book with math by having the children talk about how since the story took place the night before, how many hours are in a day, how many minutes are in a day, etc. 9. Ross, Katharine. 1995. Random House. **The Story of the Pilgrims**. 24 pages. Private Collection. __ SUMMARY __ : This book focuses primarily on the Pilgrims and their journey to America for the first Thanksgiving. The book begins with explaining why the Pilgrims left their homeland and how they traveled to America. Then you begin to see their struggles with the hard, cold winter as they come to America. Towards the end of the story, you learn about how the Pilgrims come in contact with the Native Americans and create a treaty for peace between their people. This leads them to celebrate the first Thanksgiving together for their newfound friendship. __ INTEGRATION __ : This book could easily be integrated into history and religion. Children could learn how religion and freedom of religion affected the Pilgrims decision on leaving their homeland to a place where there was religious tolerance. This book could also be integrated into reading by having the children sequence the events from the story in the order that they happened. This book could also be integrated into history by talking about treaties and the reason people created them. The teacher could have the children create a treaty together for peace in the classroom. You could also integrate this book into writing by having the children write about how the first Thanksgiving took place. 10. Ziefert, Harriet. 2004. Blue Apple Books. **This Is Thanksgiving**. 12 pages. Tempe Public Library. __ SUMMARY __ : This book is a modern day family getting ready to celebrate Thanksgiving with their family. The book talks about what kind of foods they are eating and preparing for the day. The book goes into detail about what the food is and what it looks, tastes, and smells like. This book is also a rhyming book and has repetition so it is easy for young children to follow. The book concludes with the entire family coming together, naming all who come to enjoy Thanksgiving together. __ INTEGRATION __ : I think that this book would be really cool to incorporate with math. The students can guess before hand how many people they think are going to be at the Thanksgiving meal, and then at the end of the book see if their guesses were correct. This book would also be good to incorporate with science. Students can taste and make the different foods that were eaten in the book. This book could also be incorporated into a writing assignment. Children could write about who attends their Thanksgiving if they celebrate it, and what kind of foods they eat with their family, friends, and loved ones.

**__ TEACHER RESOURCE BOOKS __**

1. Anderson, Joan. 1984. Clarion Books. **The First Thanksgiving Feast**. 46 pages. Tempe Public Library. __ SUMMARY __ : This book is all filled with real photographs taken by George Ancona at Plymouth Plantation. This book recreates the first Thanksgiving and takes you into the first harvest festival that was celebrated in 1621. They talk about the people involved in the first Thanksgiving, such as William Bradford, and the other pilgrims from the Mayflower, as well as Chief Massasoit and the Native Americans. Because this book has actors reenacting the scenes for the book, it enriches every reader’s perception of the first Thanksgiving. __ INTEGRATION __ : This book talks about the events and people that were involved in the first Thanksgiving. This is a great teacher resource to have because the story reenacts real-life events that happened and people that partook in those events. As a teacher, it’s important to understand those people who played a crucial role in the first Thanksgiving and how they influenced history. This book also contains real photographs that reenact the scene at Plymouth Colony so it helps teachers to get a clearer vision of what really happened and the traditions that surrounded that time period. This book can help prepare a teacher with really understanding the clothing that was worn, the people who were involved, and a better visual of what it would have been like to take part in the first Thanksgiving. 2. Barth, Edna. 1975. Clarion Books. **Turkeys, Pilgrims, and Indian Corn**__.__ 96 pages. Tempe Public Library. __ SUMMARY __ :

This book talks about the symbols that represent one of our most celebrated American holidays, which is Thanksgiving. The author talks about how various symbols came to represent Thanksgiving now. In addition to that, the author also traces our American Thanksgiving to its roots in the harvest festivals that the Egyptians, Hebrews, Greeks, and Celtics celebrated.

__ INTEGRATION __ :

I really love this book and think it is a tremendous teacher resource to have. This book directly relates to Thanksgiving, but goes into giving a deeper meaning and understanding of the topic. It really talks about the symbols and things that represent Thanksgiving, and how those symbols first took shape, and continue to shape the way we celebrate Thanksgiving now in modern day America. This book also talks about the influences of other festivals that different groups partook in that helped shape the way we celebrate Thanksgiving. This book can really help teachers to better understand the meanings and symbolism behind one of our most widely celebrated holidays.

3. Bartlett, Robert M. 2001. HarperCollins Publishers. **The Story of Thanksgiving**. 30 pages. Tempe Public Library.

__ SUMMARY __ : This story is about Thanksgiving and what it means to us today and how it started off. While most stories talk about how the Pilgrims and Native Americans come together for the first Thanksgiving, this story focuses on what they ate and the games they played. This book also talks about how George Washington and Abraham Lincoln helped make Thanksgiving the holiday that it is today. The story brings in how different celebrations of good fortune during harvest time have influenced the way we celebrate Thanksgiving now.

__ INTEGRATION __ : This book I feel is a really great teacher resource to use for the study. It relates not only directly to Thanksgiving, but gives insight into important figures in history that helped shape the way we celebrate Thanksgiving now. I think it helps for teachers to understand the deeper meanings that help shape the way we celebrate occasions, because they help us to open up children’s understanding of why we celebrate holidays such as Thanksgiving, and how it has become an integral part of our culture.

4. Kessel, Joyce K., Donze, Lisa. 1983. Carolrhoda Books Inc. **Squanto and the first Thanksgiving**. 47 pages. Tempe Public Library. __ SUMMARY __ : This book really visits how the first Thanksgiving initially was started. While most stories focus on how the Pilgrims were at the forefront, this book really begins before the Pilgrims ever landed. It talks about a Patuxet tribe, which Squanto was a part of. The book is about Squanto and how his story was a very important one, and critical part in regards to the first Thanksgiving. __ INTEGRATION __ : I think this book is a really good teacher resource, because it really provides a background for what was happening before the Pilgrims arrived and the first Thanksgiving took place. This book really gives teachers an insight into the Native Americans, specifically the Patuxet tribe and how Squanto played an important role in regards to Thanksgiving. This book gives teachers a better understanding of the Native Americans’ role during this time. This book also relates directly to the unit study. 5. Raphael, Elaine., Bolognese, Don. 1991. Scholastic Inc. **The Story of The First Thanksgiving**. 30 pages. Private Collection. __ SUMMARY __ : This book talks about the first Thanksgiving and the series of events that happened leading up to the first Thanksgiving. The book is sectioned off by subheadings dedicated to talking about a particular event leading up to the first gathering. The book starts off with how the Pilgrims came to America, how they traveled, to their first meeting with the Native Americans to create peace between their people. The book talks about how they prepared for the harvest and how the Pilgrims and Native Americans taught each other things that would help them to prosper in the new land. The book ends with the first Thanksgiving and how they celebrated together. __ INTEGRATION __ : This book is directly relevant to the topic of this unit of study. It talks about Thanksgiving and the book is sectioned off by the different events that took place leading up to the first Thanksgiving. This book could really help teachers understand the content better because of the fact that it is sectioned off, and the content within the subheadings are direct as well. This book also does a really good job of informing about the importance of the first Thanksgiving and how the Pilgrims and Native Americans came together for peace.