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Three Young Pilgrims
In these richly detailed pages, you'll meet three of the young Pilgrims who sailed on the Mayflower, Bartholomew, Remember, and Mary Allerton.
When Bartholemew, Remember, and Mary Allerton and their parents first step down from the Mayflower after sixty days at sea, they never dream that life in the New World will be so hard. Many in their Plymouth colony won't make it through the winter, and the colony's first harvest is possible only with the help of two friends, Samoset and Squanto.
Richly detailed paintings show how the pilgrims lived after landing at Plymouth, through the dark winter and into the busy days of spring, summer, and fall. Culminating with the excitement of the original Thanksgiving feast, Three Young Pilgrims makes history come alive.
When Bartholemew, Remember, and Mary Allerton and their parents first step down from the Mayflower after sixty days at sea, they never dream that life in the New World will be so hard. Many in their Plymouth colony won't make it through the winter, and the colony's first harvest is possible only with the help of two friends, Samoset and Squanto.
Richly detailed paintings show how the pilgrims lived after landing at Plymouth, through the dark winter and into the busy days of spring, summer, and fall. Culminating with the excitement of the original Thanksgiving feast, Three Young Pilgrims makes history come alive.
40 pages, Paperback
First published September 30, 1992
About the author
Cheryl Harness
80 books22 followersAuthor and illustrator. Worked variously as a student teacher, waitress, short-order cook, portrait artist, and needlework designer. Greeting-card artist for Hallmark Cards and Current. Presenter at schools.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews
January 24, 2011
I bought this for my children. It is the story of the Allerton children. Remember Allerton is their 11th great grandmother.
October 20, 2014
Excellent realistic account of Thanksgiving with beautiful detailed illustrtrations that make the journey and the life that the pilgrims lead extremely understandable and visual for an elementry school student. In addition our family is diectly descendant from Isacc Allerton. The people in this story are all real although, of course, the story is fictional. It is of course a family favorite. As a librarian I have seen many authors do presentations to elementary students, Cheryl Harness is one of the best I have ever seen. If you have the opportunity to have her to your school, books store or event you are in for a treat.
November 23, 2019
This story focuses on the Mayflower voyage and the first year at Plymouth. The text is brief and the art is amazing -- full of relevant details. A few pages address the first Thanksgiving.
The add'l pages are the ones that kids are likely to turn to when they want more information. There are maps of the Atlantic Ocean and the Cape Cod area, the layout of Plymouth, and a timeline of relevant events both in the New World and globally. There's also a cut-away view of the Mayflower with everything labeled (including rooms, sails, masts, and other basic parts of the ship) except the "bathroom." Also included are three double-page spreads of the people -- the Pilgrims (named), the 'Strangers' (named), and the 'Indians' (tribes named, a few individuals).
I visited Plymouth one Thanksgiving weekend, and I can attest to some pretty dismal weather -- grey, wet, windy, dark, cold. I kept wondering what the weather had been like for that fateful gathering 400 years ago.
The add'l pages are the ones that kids are likely to turn to when they want more information. There are maps of the Atlantic Ocean and the Cape Cod area, the layout of Plymouth, and a timeline of relevant events both in the New World and globally. There's also a cut-away view of the Mayflower with everything labeled (including rooms, sails, masts, and other basic parts of the ship) except the "bathroom." Also included are three double-page spreads of the people -- the Pilgrims (named), the 'Strangers' (named), and the 'Indians' (tribes named, a few individuals).
I visited Plymouth one Thanksgiving weekend, and I can attest to some pretty dismal weather -- grey, wet, windy, dark, cold. I kept wondering what the weather had been like for that fateful gathering 400 years ago.
August 16, 2021
This is the story of three young children who were passengers on the Mayflower. Through their eyes, the history of the pilgrim's first year in the New World is recounted. The main story is told as a narrative through which we learn of the hardships, illness, and hard work of the Pilgrims. This story follows the traditional narrative of the Pilgrim's 60 day crossing of the Atlantic, the Mayflower Compact, the Great Sickness, and interactions with the native Wampanoag through to the first Thanksgiving. There is some attempt at broadening the Native perspective, but in this the book falls short, glossing over the impacts of colonization in an effort to preserve the Pilgrims' positive reputation.
The unique thing about this book, that I feel gives it value as an educational book, is how the author combines the emotional narrative story with a great deal of factual information presented in the illustrations and captions. This makes the book accessible to students who prefer to learn history through stories, and those who prefer a non-fiction approach. This might be used as part of a unit in which many books are read that explore differing perspectives on colonization, Pilgrims, or the first Thanksgiving.
The unique thing about this book, that I feel gives it value as an educational book, is how the author combines the emotional narrative story with a great deal of factual information presented in the illustrations and captions. This makes the book accessible to students who prefer to learn history through stories, and those who prefer a non-fiction approach. This might be used as part of a unit in which many books are read that explore differing perspectives on colonization, Pilgrims, or the first Thanksgiving.
November 25, 2020
I own a paperback copy of this book. I think I bought it because of my new found passion to buy everything Cheryl Harness has ever written and illustrated. I was elated to have it on my shelf because it is part of the new Sonlight Curriculum History/Bible/Literature Kindergarten released in early 2020 for Exploring American History that I am reading with my six-year-old son (Rascal). I was equally thrilled to check it off my list when I was reading through Books to Build On for more ideas. While I'm not quite certain, it wouldn't surprise me to find it recommended by Beautiful Feet and Memoria Press, as well.
This book is vivid with descriptive illustrations and with the bubbles and labels leads to re-reading or exploring later to delve deeper. Written after an adventure to Plimouth in Plymouth, MA and just enough history to be true but not too scary. Following three siblings children from the boat to their lives.
This book is vivid with descriptive illustrations and with the bubbles and labels leads to re-reading or exploring later to delve deeper. Written after an adventure to Plimouth in Plymouth, MA and just enough history to be true but not too scary. Following three siblings children from the boat to their lives.
August 30, 2022
Daughter - We read this as part of your Kindergarten History curriculum. It’s a wonderful way to tell a story, through the eyes of 3 young siblings, traveling to America in search of freedom. You loved all the pictures, anecdotes and maps and so did I, which lead to even deeper discussions. You were sad when the children were sad and hopeful when the children were hopeful. Such a wonderful message of peace and perseverance. As a mother, it made my heart ache to see the lengths this family (and many others like them) went through to seek freedom and here we are years and years later, throwing it all away. I hope you will always know what freedom is baby girl.
November 18, 2021
Fair but short insight into how a typical Pilgrim child’s day would have been beginning on the Mayflower. Good read for kindergartners through 2nd grade.
January 17, 2024
Loved the illustrations. Has a lot of great information but is more for reference or kids reading by themselves versus a family read aloud.
April 1, 2021
This great picture book is a historical account of the hardships and kindness from the Native Americans that the first European settlers experienced as they created their new lives in the wilderness of what is now the US. My children enjoyed the story but I was particularly intrigued by the list of all the other events that were occurring around the world at the same time as the Pilgrims 1620 immigration. It is hard to believe that Galileo was discovering the moons of Jupiter, the Romonavs were in power in Russia and Shakespeare was writing plays in England. This was certainly a busy time in history.
August 6, 2026
I thought Three Young Pilgrims by Cheryl Harness was a really good book that teaches readers about the Pilgrims and their journey to the New World on the Mayflower. The story follows three children and their families as they leave England and travel to Plymouth. At first, Mary and her siblings are excited about their new adventure, but once they arrive, they face many challenges. They experience sickness, a long cold winter, hunger, and the hard work of building homes. They also lose their mother and unborn sibling, which shows just how difficult life was for the early settlers. Later, they become friends with Native Americans who teach them how to plant corn and grow food so they can survive. The story also introduces the first Thanksgiving and shows how the colony continued to grow as more families arrived.
As a teacher, I think this would be a great book to use in a history or social studies unit for 3rd-5th grade. It would help introduce the Pilgrims, the Mayflower, the Plymouth Colony, and the first Thanksgiving. It could also lead into lessons about Native American tribes and cultures and the role they played in helping the settlers survive. I like the fact that the story shares history through the eyes of children because I think it makes it easier for students to understand what life was like during that time.
This is great book which would lead to great discussions, lessons, and projects.
As a teacher, I think this would be a great book to use in a history or social studies unit for 3rd-5th grade. It would help introduce the Pilgrims, the Mayflower, the Plymouth Colony, and the first Thanksgiving. It could also lead into lessons about Native American tribes and cultures and the role they played in helping the settlers survive. I like the fact that the story shares history through the eyes of children because I think it makes it easier for students to understand what life was like during that time.
This is great book which would lead to great discussions, lessons, and projects.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 18, 2022
I love historical children's books. This is an overall good book but I hold some things against it. First, there are hardly any brunettes in the book. Brunettes are not a minority in Europe. Yes, Brits are mostly brunette...only 29% are natural blondes and that's mostly due to invasion by the vikings...and they are mostly concentrated in one area of Britain.
Second is that in Florida we learn that the first Thanksgiving was at St. Augustine, 56 years before the Puritan Pilgrim thanksgiving at Plymouth Plantation (Massachusetts). Although the current national practice is that of the annual reenactment of the Pilgrims’ harvest festival in 1621. This is because the British won out the Spanish and the French...in essence, a rewriting of history by the winning forces. The first Thanksgiving, as taught by National Park Services at The Castillo de San Marcos, took place just 300 yards north of the Castillo de San Marcos, by the Spanish, at what is now the Mission of Nombre de Dios. And when there is mention of Spain in this children's book, it's to note that some Native Americans were sold as slaves to Spain...
No doubt, this is a nice book. But is it wholly accurate? It depends on whom you ask. There isn't even a footnote on the St. Augustine Thanksgiving.
Second is that in Florida we learn that the first Thanksgiving was at St. Augustine, 56 years before the Puritan Pilgrim thanksgiving at Plymouth Plantation (Massachusetts). Although the current national practice is that of the annual reenactment of the Pilgrims’ harvest festival in 1621. This is because the British won out the Spanish and the French...in essence, a rewriting of history by the winning forces. The first Thanksgiving, as taught by National Park Services at The Castillo de San Marcos, took place just 300 yards north of the Castillo de San Marcos, by the Spanish, at what is now the Mission of Nombre de Dios. And when there is mention of Spain in this children's book, it's to note that some Native Americans were sold as slaves to Spain...
No doubt, this is a nice book. But is it wholly accurate? It depends on whom you ask. There isn't even a footnote on the St. Augustine Thanksgiving.
June 4, 2022
A book (ideal for Grammar level students) chock full of factoids was made fun through:
-colorful illustrations true to history
-whimsical compass rose and map of the Mayflower's journey
-unit study opener with grand cross-section of Mayflower and parts of ship-in proper historical Pilgrim context
-the beloved story filled with drama and action
-Timeline comparison to other explorers
As a historical seamstress, I am especially glad of the "most accurate clothing" rendered in this book for those of us seeking to create historic outfits. (My kids always had fun dressing up like history. They always wanted to be as historically accurate as possible.)
Grammar students focus on facts. This book is full of them in a most pleasing way! Enjoy!
-colorful illustrations true to history
-whimsical compass rose and map of the Mayflower's journey
-unit study opener with grand cross-section of Mayflower and parts of ship-in proper historical Pilgrim context
-the beloved story filled with drama and action
-Timeline comparison to other explorers
As a historical seamstress, I am especially glad of the "most accurate clothing" rendered in this book for those of us seeking to create historic outfits. (My kids always had fun dressing up like history. They always wanted to be as historically accurate as possible.)
Grammar students focus on facts. This book is full of them in a most pleasing way! Enjoy!
May 6, 2020
The pictures are awesome. The text is conflicting: this is supposed to be just one little story, according to the author, and not the whole Pilgrim story and there are pictures that are packed with tidbits—and confusingly way too much information for “just one little story”—from the entire story. This is not a children’s book, just because it has few words (because those few words are too hard for children). The beautiful pictures would have been better with a complete story and written for 4th grade level. Too bad; it missed the mark.
November 13, 2020
My favorite Pilgrim book for children!
This is a corner of the Mayflower story, through one family, but is such a favorite because of the delightful illustrations and maps! There's a stunning cut-away of the Mayflower itself and the maps are charming. "Picturing" everyone aboard the ship gives a better understanding of just how many arrived in the new world, and relative ages. There were so many children among the "Saints."
This is a corner of the Mayflower story, through one family, but is such a favorite because of the delightful illustrations and maps! There's a stunning cut-away of the Mayflower itself and the maps are charming. "Picturing" everyone aboard the ship gives a better understanding of just how many arrived in the new world, and relative ages. There were so many children among the "Saints."
April 23, 2018
This book gives true facts and details about pilgrims, and has good pictures to accompany the text. The author wants this book to be used to gain interest so readers will do their own research to learn more about the topic. This would be a great book to read aloud for Thanksgiving.
March 10, 2021
Introduced as a fiction story about a family, but actually contains a lot of nonfiction information throughout and in the end pages. A pretty thorough look at the life and times of pilgrims for lower elementary students.
April 16, 2026
Children's Book:
This story follows Mary, Remember, and Bartholomew Allerton, some of the youngest passengers on the Mayflower’s first voyage. It tells of life in the New World, the hardships and losses they endured, and how, over time, they came to see Plymouth as home.
This story follows Mary, Remember, and Bartholomew Allerton, some of the youngest passengers on the Mayflower’s first voyage. It tells of life in the New World, the hardships and losses they endured, and how, over time, they came to see Plymouth as home.
September 20, 2017
Love the illustrations!
September 4, 2018
Illustrations are particularly interesting and detailed.
May 9, 2020
A nicely illustrated story of one of the families of the Pilgrims. Additional details and information make you want to pull it out again when the kids get older and ready for more info.
September 20, 2020
Good story for young readers about the Pilgrims.
November 11, 2020
What a wonderful read, my children were very interested. I cried at the loss of Pilgrims and the desire to live in a land where they could worship freely. Very very timely read.
September 15, 2021
So much information. I found the information on the tribes in the area at the time when the Pilgrims arrived fascinating.
December 14, 2021
Love the detail on the illustrations and the story is well written to captivate children and adults alike.
March 14, 2022
Educational and interesting for children. Illustrations are as true to historical records as possible.
September 19, 2022
Well-illustrated maps, diagrams, & timelines abound! Good companion book for Harness’ bio on Myles Standish & one on Squanto by Eric Metaxas.
April 6, 2023
I like the illustrations and also the info of what else was going on in the world at that time. It's a nice mix of fiction and non-fiction.
June 24, 2023
Absolutely LOVE!
October 2, 2023
Seems pretty well researched. The story itself doesn't have much life, but the facts check out.
October 7, 2024
Detailed illustrations and personal story are appealing.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews