This Is The Feast by Diane Z. Shore is a lyrical and rhyming telling of the Pilgrim’s Mayflower journey and life in Plymouth up to the first Thanksgiving. Illustrated by Megan Lloyd, it is a colorful book that many children would enjoy. It is a great fit for Homeschooling with Cozy Books! 

This Is The Feast

This picture book deals with the realities of what the Pilgrims experienced at sea and during the first months, but not in a dark way as some books do. 

From the back cover:

“This is Thanksgiving, a time to remember the friendships and freedoms we all share together.”

The Pilgrims embarked on their legendary Mayflower voyage in 1620 in search of religious freedom and a better life. The settlers were unprepared for the hardships they would face at the end of their journey, but with the help of their neighbor Indians, the Pilgrims survived the first year in their new world. Then, when their fall harvest was plentiful, the Pilgrims and the Indians joined together in a three-day celebration, the first Thanksgiving.

Noteable about this picture book telling of the story is the oft repeated refrain of “Thanks be to God for…” This story focuses on how God provided what the Pilgrims needed time and again. 

This Is The Feast is a colorful telling of the Thanksgiving story with a focus on God’s provision. I would definitely add it to your family’s Thanksgiving collection. 

Homeschooling Ideas

Home Economics – Try a food mentioned in the book that might not be familiar to your family such as herring, codfish, chestnuts, lobsters, or deer (venison). 

Art History – Print off a copy of the painting The First Thanksgiving by Jean Leon Gerome Ferris. Discuss the painting. Then compare and contrast the two very different styles (artwork versus book illustrations).

Music – Come Ye Thankful People Come is a Thanksgiving hymn that ties in nicely with this story. Read the lyrics aloud, sing the hymn, or listen to the hymn sung by others. Which parts of the hymn seem especially relevant to the Pilgrims and the first Thanksgiving? 

Writing – Use the Thanksgiving Writing Pages to write a story or make a list of things for which your family is grateful to God. 

Venn Diagram – Use this First Thanksgiving Venn Diagram to compare your Thanksgiving with the First Thanksgiving. 

Math – Practice counting with Thanksgiving picture puzzles of a Pilgrim boy and girl (1-10) and a cornucopia (11-20). 

Thanksgiving Themed Learning – Enjoy dozens of learning activities in a variety of subjects with the Thanksgiving Themed Learning Pack.

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