Kid's Picks: The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain

We are currently reading The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain. And by "we" I mean my husband is reading it aloud to my five-year-old son, William, and the rest of us occasionally listen.

I asked Will if he likes reading the book with Daddy. "Yes." What do you like about it? "The good guys win." I'm not sure what prompted that response but I know he's begging to read the book every night after supper. That's always a good sign of an excellent book!

Just a word of caution that this book contains some language and themes (smoking!) that may not be suitable for young children. Joel mentioned to me that he's doing quite a bit of editing as he is reading, mainly for language, I think. It's a judgment call for parents to make.

William definitely does not understand everything in this book and has asked many questions as a result. We've had some good conversations about how Tom's actions are disobedient or how he isn't doing the "right" thing and what would be the "right" thing to do. We are comfortable with these kind of discussions at his age.

What about you? What classic characters have you introduced your children to?

Book Review: The Thanksgiving Story by Alice Dalgliesh

The Thanksgiving Story by Alice Dalgliesh is another well-written book describing the journey on the Mayflower and the founding of Plymouth by the Pilgrims. This book sort of tells the story from the perspective of the three Hopkins children.

I say sort of because it uses a third-person narrative voice but includes details sure to capture a child's interest. I am a little disappointed because I thought it would use the voice of one of the children to explain the story of the Pilgrims.

While the illustrations by Helen Sewell don't appeal to me, the book was awarded a Caldecott Honor Award.

Don't let my unfulfilled expectations deter you from this book. For a general outline of the Pilgrim story this is a quality book worth having in your library, though not necessarily a must-have book.

Book Review: The Pilgrims' First Thanksgiving

The Pilgrims' First Thanksgiving by Ann McGovern uses simple language to tell the story of the Pilgrims. Though it doesn't maintain a child's perspective throughout the book, it does emphasize details sure to interest children. Like the lack of toys on board the Mayflower. And the jobs children had in the new village of Plymouth.

I wouldn't say this book is a must have but if you are looking for a book to tell the general story of the Pilgrims and Thanksgiving on a preschool or early elementary level, this one does just that. Filled with color and activity the illustrations will also hold the interest of young readers.

You may find it helpful to know this book is a Scholastic paperback. If you are looking for Thanksgiving activities Scholastic has pages of recommendations. I wish I had found their site when I wrote my Thanksgiving lesson plans!

Squanto and the Miracle of Thanksgiving Book Review

When I started looking for children's Thanksgiving books to go with my Thanksgiving lesson plans I wanted a book that talked about the Indians (or Native Americans). But I didn't want a politically correct book that made them out to be the saviors of the Pilgrims. I wanted a book that let God do the saving THROUGH the Indians.

I discovered what I was looking for in Squanto and the Miracle of Thanksgiving by Eric Metaxas. Metaxas tells us the true story of Squanto, an Indian boy, kidnapped and taken to Spain. Through the Sovereign hand of God he eventually returns to his homeland and finds his entire village wiped out by illness. Not long after his return the Pilgrims settle on the very land his village once occupied. Squanto meets with the Pilgrims, recognizes them as followers of the True God, and helps them survive.

I found it refreshing to read an account of Thanksgiving and the Indians that acknowledged the hand of God in history. As a Christian I believe He has a plan and a purpose for everyone's life. Sometimes we can see the plan and purpose, sometimes we can't. Like Joseph of the Old Testament, Squanto spent many years wondering what purpose God had in his kidnapping. And like Joseph, God used Squanto to save some of His people.

My only negative comment is that the illustrations of Squanto seem to change from page to page. I realize he is growing up and changing cultures but his facial features and hair color should not change that much. I am a little disappointed that the illustrator did not maintain the Indian (Native American) facial features and black hair that Squanto most definitely had.

Other than that minor negative I whole heartily recommend this book to anyone, young or old, who wants to learn the story of how God used one man to rescue many.

Thanksgiving: A Time to Remember Book Review

If you can only buy one book in November, Thanksgiving: A Time to Remember is the one to buy! Barbara Rainey, wife of FamilyLife founder, Dennis Rainey, does a fantastic job informing readers of the history of the Pilgrims and the first Thanksgiving celebrations.

She begins by explaining the origins of the Pilgrims and why they are leaving England. Then she recounts the voyage to the New World, the first winter in New England, and the first Thanksgiving celebration. Also included is a description of the role Native Americans (Squanto, Samoset, and Massasoit) played in the survival of the Pilgrims.

As a mom of young children (5 years and under) I appreciate the way Mrs. Rainey separated the story into two versions - grown-up and child. This is accomplished through two different sizes of type. "The larger-type sections contain the essence of the Pilgrim story and the parts that would be most interesting to younger children." Just reading the large type should take about 30 minutes, but I recommend dividing the sections and reading it all aloud as a family.

Another feature of this book is an included CD of Thanksgiving instrumental music. As you prepare your heart and home for Thanksgiving while listening to this CD you will recognize familiar hymns and choruses.

While not exactly a "tips" and "activities" book, Thanksgiving: A Time to Remember gives you several ideas for family traditions, as well as stimulating curiosity to learn more about the Pilgrims.

For more activity ideas be sure to read my Thanksgiving Lesson Plans here or the "pretty" jpg version here.

Lesson Plans for October 20 - November 28, 2008; Thanksgiving Theme.

Thanksgiving: October 20-November 28, 2008

October 20-24 Life in the Old World.
Scripture for the week: Psalm 100:1.
Read p. 17-20 in Thanksgiving: A Time to Remember by Barbara Rainey.
Explain religious persecution.
On a map find Rhode Island; Malaysia; Arkansas; Texas; Scrooby Village, England; Holland; Jamestown, Virginia.
Draw a picture of William Bradford walking to church.

October 27-31 Life on the Mayflower.
Scripture for the week: Psalm 100:2.
Read p. 21-22, in Time to Remember
Color picture of the Mayflower (copy printable).
Read p. 25-27 in Time to Remember
Make Lepine's Hard Tack, Drink spoonful of lemon juice, Eat beef jerky?
Read p. 23-24 in Time to Remember
Draw picture of the Mayflower on the ocean, with John Howland hanging on the side of the Mayflower.
Look at route on map- Holland to England to Cape Cod.

November 3-7 Life in Plymouth.
Scripture for the week: Psalm 100:3.
Read p. 29-37 in Time to Remember (large print text only)
Color pictures of Pilgrim houses at Plymouth (copy printable).
Read p. 39-41 in Time to Remember
Color pictures of Pilgrim boy and girl (copy printable).
Read p. 43-44 in Time to Remember
Make popcorn balls.
Read p. 47-49, 51-52 in Time to Remember
Glue 5 corn kernel seeds to a paper plate. Make corn bread.
Make Paper Plate Pilgrim (but not from the kit).

November 10-14 Squanto and the Indians.
Scripture for the week: Psalm 100:4.
Read p. 35-36 in Time to Remember (Massasoit)
Color pictures of Indian home (copy printable).
Read Squanto and the Miracle of Thanksgiving by Eric Metaxas

November 17-21 Thanksgiving Celebration Then.
Scripture for the week: Psalm 100:5.
Read The Pilgrims' First Thanksgiving by Ann McGovern
Read The Thanksgiving Story by Alice Dagliesh
Read Mary's First Thanksgiving by Kathy-jo Wargin
Read “Come, Ye Thankful People, Come” pg. 81 in Hymns for a Kid's Heart Vol. 2.
Listen to “Come, Ye Thankful People, Come” on CD.
Read Lincoln's 1863 Thanksgiving Proclamation. Pg. 53 in Time to Remember.

November 24-28 Thanksgiving Celebration Now.
Scripture for the week: Psalm 100:1-5.
Make hand leaf and write something thankful for each day and hang on Thanksgiving Tree.
Read 2008 Thanksgiving Day Proclamation by President George W. Bush.
Donate food at Stop & Shop for Food Bank. Let children pick out something to donate.
Thanksgiving Day meal.
Read Give Thanks to the Lord: Psalm 92 by Karma Wilson.

*** I can't get the formatting to work so to see a "prettier" version go to my other blog, Stephanie's Mommy Brain.

Also, most days include a reading and activity. These are only my list of possibilities. I doubt we do everything. With the exception of cooking, this will all be done during our "Bible Time" with all 3 children (ages 5, 3, 2).

My 4th child will be born Oct. 21 so I'm trying to be very low key and relaxed about this. I'd rather have too many options than not enough. Also, we don't observe Halloween which allows me to start our Thanksgiving focus a little earlier than "normal."