A Book Review: The Mayflower by Libby Romero (DK Eyewitness Series)

“They sailed for different reasons, but everyone on the Mayflower was literally in the same boat."

Ages: 5 - 9

Grade Level: Kindergarten - 4

Pages: 48

Location: England, Holland, the Atlantic Ocean, and the United States of America

Time Period: 1590 - 1620

Once again, the Separatists stared into the face of looming persecution and realized that, this time, there might be no way out. They had fled England, seeking religious freedom when the monarch had begun to harass and imprison their members. Holland had promised to be a safe haven, but with war with Spain coming (a country not known for religious tolerance), the Separatists were once again trapped. Where could they go?  And that's when the Separatists set their gaze across the Atlantic Ocean....

This special DK Eyewitness book commemorates the 400th anniversary of the Mayflower (the ship that carried the Separatists, more well-known as the Pilgrims). It covers the obstacle-laden journey of the Pilgrims from England (before they fled to Holland), across the Atlantic, and ends with the first Thanksgiving celebration in the New World. Detailed but simple, this book is very informational and very well-organized. Short, free-floating text either quote sentences from the main paragraphs or share a related fact.  Accompanying supporting illustrations range from scenes to diagrams. Sections in the back also include additional information about the Mayflower II, the legacy of the Mayflower, and a glossary.

Resources:

You can find videos, activities, crafts and more that relate to this book on our Pinterest boards below!

Thanksgiving Books

Content Warnings

Content that some individuals may find controversial or objectionable. Attention was given to include content which may offend people of a particular culture, race or religion and details which the sensitive child may find unsettling or troublesome.

"No Spoilers" offers a summary of content issues while avoiding spoilers. "With Spoilers" lists the potential content issues in detail.

No Spoilers:

Some themes related to religious contention and persecution, hardship, and danger; as well as mentions of death, looting, and alcohol use.

With Spoilers:

Religions, Spirituality, & Other Beliefs

• The Pilgrims are a sect of Christianity/Christian domination and the author talks about their beliefs.

  
  

• Religious persecution followed the Pilgrims, because of their controversial beliefs at the time (that the Church of England was not the true Church). The text talks about how this group was forced into hiding, harassed, and imprisoned multiple times. Some of the non-Separatists that traveled with the Pilgrims also treated the Pilgrims poorly.

  
  

• The Pilgrims, at first, did not view their non-Separatist companions favorably (calling themselves "Saints" and the other passengers "Strangers"). This feeling of animosity was also shared by some of the Strangers.

  
  

• A sailor on the Mayflower declared he "hoped to help cast half of [the Pilgrim] overboard before they came to their journey's end." However, he is the first to get sick and die (which the Pilgrims view as "justice from God.") (pg. 19)

Scary Elements

• A young man is swept overboard but survived (pg. 19). An illustration shows him clinging to a rope thrown from the ship's side.

+Other 

• The people drank beer during their time on the ship, because the water caused illness.

  
  

• Death:

  • It is mentioned that large numbers of Native Americans and entire villages were wiped out by plagues brought by the Europeans.

  • A Pilgrim's wife falls overboard and drowns.

  • Pilgrims began to die during the winter in the New World.

    
    

• The Pilgrims looted and dug up graves in what they thought were abandoned villages.

  
  

• Emotional Hardship:

  • Several mentions of families being separated because of prison or because there was no room on the ships.