This Is the Feast by Diane Z. Shore, illustrated by Megan Lloyd, is a lyrical picture book that tells the story of the Pilgrims’ Mayflower journey, their difficult first months in Plymouth, and the first Thanksgiving. With its colorful illustrations and rhythmic text, it is an appealing choice for families who want a Thanksgiving book that is both engaging and God-focused.

One of the things that makes this book especially memorable is its repeated refrain of gratitude to God. Rather than presenting the Pilgrims’ story in a dark or heavy way, it highlights God’s provision through hardship, friendship, and harvest. It is a strong addition to a Thanksgiving book basket and a natural fit for homeschool families who want history, beauty, and faith woven together.

Book Snapshot

• Author: Diane Z. Shore
• Illustrator: Megan Lloyd
• Ages: 4–8
• Themes: Thanksgiving, Pilgrims, gratitude, God’s provision, early American history, harvest
• Best For: Thanksgiving read-alouds, history connections, and faith-based family discussion

About the Book

This Is the Feast follows the Pilgrims from their 1620 voyage on the Mayflower through the hardships of settling in Plymouth and on to the first Thanksgiving feast. The story does not ignore the realities of the journey and the struggles of that first year, but it presents them in a way that is accessible for young children.

The rhyming text moves the story along, while the illustrations keep it lively and inviting. The repeated refrain, “Thanks be to God for…,” gives the book a distinct focus on God’s care and provision. That emphasis makes it especially meaningful for Christian homeschool families who want to connect Thanksgiving with gratitude to God rather than simply a harvest celebration.

Why This Book Works for Homeschooling

This Is the Feast offers a number of natural connections for simple Thanksgiving learning. It works especially well for:

• History – introducing children to the Pilgrims, the Mayflower, Plymouth, and the first Thanksgiving
• Faith – emphasizing gratitude to God and His provision in difficult circumstances
• Food Study – exploring foods that would have been familiar in early colonial life
• Art and Music – connecting the story with paintings, hymnody, and Thanksgiving traditions
• Writing – encouraging gratitude and narration through simple writing activities

Picture Book Activities

Use these easy ideas to turn your read-aloud into a simple Thanksgiving picture book study. Pick one or two activities that best fit your family.

• Home Economics: Try a food mentioned in the book that may not be familiar to your family, such as herring, codfish, chestnuts, lobster, or venison. Talk about why the Pilgrims had to rely on the food available in their new surroundings.
• Art History: Print a copy of Jean Leon Gerome Ferris’s painting The First Thanksgiving and discuss it together. Then compare the painting’s style and mood with the illustrations in this book. What feels similar, and what feels different?
• Music: Come Ye Thankful People Come pairs beautifully with this story. Read the lyrics aloud, sing the hymn, or listen to it together. Which lines seem especially fitting for the Pilgrims and the first Thanksgiving?
• Writing: Use the Thanksgiving Writing Pages to write a short story or make a list of things your family is grateful to God for.
• Math: Practice counting with Thanksgiving picture puzzles of a Pilgrim boy and girl (1–10) and a cornucopia (11–20).
• Handwriting and Coloring: Add a simple quiet-time extension with Thanksgiving Handwriting and Coloring Pages.

Discussion Questions

1. What were some of the hard things the Pilgrims experienced on their journey and during their first year?
2. Why do you think the refrain “Thanks be to God for…” is repeated so often in the book?
3. What did God provide for the Pilgrims when they needed help?
4. How can our own family practice gratitude to God at Thanksgiving?

Final Recommendation

If you are looking for a Thanksgiving picture book that combines early American history with a clear emphasis on gratitude to God, This Is the Feast is a lovely choice. It is colorful, engaging, and especially well suited to families who want their Thanksgiving reading to reflect both history and faith.