Squanto and the Miracle of Thanksgiving
A Harvest Story from Colonial America of How One Native American's Friendship Saved the Pilgrims
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4.4 • 14 Ratings
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- $6.99
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- $6.99
Publisher Description
Discover the amazing true story of how one Native American's suffering, generosity, and friendship led to the first Thanksgiving with the Pilgrims, by New York Times bestselling author Eric Metaxas.
In 1608, traders came to Massachusetts, captured a Patuxet boy named Squanto, and sold him into slavery. He was later cared for by Christians, taught faith in God, and learned to speak English. Ten years after his capture, he returned to America and learned an epidemic had wiped out his entire village. Yet God had plans for Squanto.
When the Pilgrims arrived at Plymouth Rock, Squanto had the ability to communicate with the new settlers. Imagine their surprise to find an indigenous man who spoke the same language as they did living in the exact place where they landed in a strange new world. Because of Squanto's help translating, the Pilgrims and the Native Americans lived together in friendship and celebrated the first Thanksgiving.
This beautifully illustrated picture book for children 6 to 10
tells the biography of Squanto, his journey to Europe and back, and his life-saving friendship to the new settlers at Plymouth;shows that God can bring good things out of bad circumstances;is the perfect blend of information and adventure; andis a great addition to a Thanksgiving celebration, Sunday School class, family story time, homeschool unit, or fall bedtime routine.
Learn about the people at the first Thanksgiving and how God can work miracles around the world.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
This paper-over-board picture book biography approaches the holiday from an evangelical point of view. Beginning with Squanto's kidnapping, at age 12, by the Spanish from his Patuxet village in 1608, Metaxas (The Birthday ABC) follows him to M laga, Spain. His friends are sold into slavery, "but God had another plan for Squanto." Monks purchase Squanto and teach him their beliefs, then entrust him to a kind man in London until he can find passage back to America. Finally, in 1618, he arrives home, only to find his village wiped out by disease. The discovery tests Squanto's faith but does not destroy it ("As he pondered the great sorrow in his heart, he talked to God"). When Squanto comes to the aid of starving English newcomers, Governor Bradford predicts the hero's role: "Perhaps God has sent you to be our Joseph." In the end, Bradford and Squanto both give thanks to God for using Squanto in "such a way that would bless the whole world for centuries to come." Of all the offerings this season, this account comes closest to describing the holiday's religious roots and historical beginnings, even though many may argue with the book's politics and/or theology. Stirnweis's portraits tend to be stiff and inconsistent, but his realistic renderings of M laga and London architecture are atmospheric. The culminating illustration portrays Squanto in a pose like Christ on the Mount. Ages 5-10.
Customer Reviews
Great historical accuracy
It is so good to once again hear truth and historical accuracy as God once over sought and blessed the founding of this great nation and to hear the truth of Thanksgiving and the pilgrims which is no longer taught in any public school.