Sarah Morton’s Day: A Day in the Life of a Pilgrim Girl by Kate Waters, with photographs by Russ Kendall, invites children to spend a day with a young girl living in Plimoth Plantation in 1627. The story is based on a real girl named Sarah Morton who is mentioned in period journals and histories.

Sarah’s day offers a look at both the work and the relationships that fill her life. The photographs bring the setting to life and give children plenty to consider as they read.

This book is a natural choice for a Thanksgiving or Pilgrim study, but it is also useful any time you want to help children understand what everyday life looked like in early America.

Book Snapshot

• Author: Kate Waters
• Photographer: Russ Kendall
• Suggested Ages: 4–9
• Themes: Pilgrim life, early American history, family, friendship, work, and faith
• Best For: Thanksgiving studies, early American history, and exploring daily life in the past

About the Book

Sarah’s day begins at sunup when the cockerel crows. After putting on her many layers of garments, she will tend the fire, cook breakfast, feed the chickens, and milk the goats. She also spends time learning her letters, memorizing Scripture, and helping her mother with the cooking.

Sarah enjoys the company of her best friend, Elizabeth. Sarah is also adjusting to her new stepfather after the death of her own father. She wonders whether she will earn his love and learn to call him father.

The personal elements of the story make Sarah a real person with a real life. Young readers can think about the ways her life was different from their own while recognizing familiar feelings about friendship, family, and belonging.

Why This Book Works for Homeschooling

Sarah Morton’s Day helps children approach history through the details of one girl’s life. It offers a manageable place to begin talking about a time that can otherwise feel very distant.

• Early American History: learning about a Pilgrim settlement and the routines of daily life in 1627
• Home and Family Life: understanding the work involved in preparing food, caring for animals, and keeping a household running
• Language Arts: using the story for narration, discussion, vocabulary, and writing about life in another time
• Faith: discussing the place of Scripture in Sarah’s learning and compare it with your family’s Bible reading
• Family and Friendship: talking about Sarah’s friendship with Elizabeth and her feelings about her stepfather

Picture Book Activities

Use these ideas to turn your read-aloud into a simple Pilgrim or Thanksgiving picture book study. Choose one or two that fit your children’s ages and interests.

Compare Daily Life: Make two lists: “Sarah’s Day” and “My Day.” Include chores, meals, learning, and time with friends. What is different? What has stayed the same?

Sequencing: Invite your child to tell you about Sarah’s day in order. A younger child might draw a few pictures and an older child can write a short narration.

Home Economics: Choose an everyday task such as preparing breakfast or washing dishes. Talk about the tools your family uses and how much more work the same task might have required without modern conveniences.

Math: Younger children can practice counting and number order with the free Pilgrims Counting Puzzle for Numbers 1–10 and Cornucopia Counting Puzzle for Numbers 11–20.

Writing and Narration: Use the Thanksgiving Notebooking Pages for a narration about Sarah’s day, a list of things your child noticed in the photographs, or a short comparison of life then and now. The collection includes 50 pages with two writing levels.

Copywork: Add handwriting practice to your seasonal learning with Thanksgiving Copywork in Print and Cursive.

Fun Facts: Explore the season further with the Thanksgiving Fun Facts Cards in your morning basket. Read a card together and briefly discuss.

Poetry: Read “Thanksgiving” by Henry Coyle together as part of your seasonal reading. Invite your child to choose a favorite part to read aloud or copy.

More Picture Books: Continue your Pilgrim study with Three Young Pilgrims | Picture Book Activities and This Is the Feast | Picture Book Activities.

Expand Your Study: If you would like more ideas, visit my Thanksgiving Unit Study Activities.

Discussion Questions

• What kinds of work did Sarah do during her day?
• Which of Sarah’s activities are similar to things you do? Which are different?
• What do the photographs help you notice about Sarah’s life?
• Why do you think Sarah is worried about her new stepfather?
• What would you like to ask Sarah about her life?

Final Recommendation

Sarah Morton’s Day is a helpful addition to a Pilgrim or Thanksgiving picture book collection. Its photographs and focus on one child’s daily life give children a concrete way to explore early American history.

Pair it with a few of the above ideas for a simple study that can grow along with your child’s interest.