GIVING THANKS

Actors from the Plimoth Plantation Restoration and members of the Wampanoag tribe reenact an early harvest celebration in this glossy photo essay set in Plymouth Colony in 1621. The story, loosely based on letters and other historic documents, is told in two voices on alternate pages by Dancing Moccasins, a 14-year-old Wampanoag and Resolved White, a six-year-old English boy. Photographs on every page compare and contrast the appearance and activities of the people. Both actors and Wampanoag appear self-conscious and stiff. Though the dialogue is spiced with information on food, food preparation, games, and activities it is often wooden and unconvincing. For example, Resolve says: “Mother calls me home. I help cook, since the celebration will last several days. As swiftly as I can, I grind corn for samp while mother roasts one of the ducks I plucked.” Elsewhere, Dancing Moccasin says: “Some of the men dance to the songs. They do the warrior’s dance. I can see the English boy watching from the hill.” Literally accurate perhaps, but not enough information to be helpful for young readers. Endnotes give additional information about food, clothing, and thanksgiving customs of the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag. There is a word on the actors and contemporary members of the Wampanoag and a glossary of words as well as a few titles for additional reading. Purchase where other titles by Waters in the “Children of 1620’s” series are popular. (Nonfiction. 8-10)