This Is the Feast

Reviewed by Cayden Aures (age 4) and Mom for Reader Views (12/08) "This is the Feast" is the story of the first Thanksgiving. The book begins with the Pilgrims aboard the Mayflower, struggling, and unsure of what lies ahead. They arrive in America and with the help of the Indians they survive the first year. With their bountiful harvest they hold a three-day celebration, called Thanksgiving. Cayden: "I learned about Thanksgiving and Pilgrims in school. I didn't like when they were on the big boat with the sails because it stormed and they got sick. I liked when they planted food and the Indians helped them. They had weird things to eat for Thanksgiving though like fish and cheese and lobsters!" Parent's comments: Cayden had just learned about Thanksgiving in school so "This is the Feast" was a great tool for reinforcing and building upon what he already knew. The history lesson is presented in a lyrical verse form and the illustrations are excellent at portraying the hardships that the Pilgrims faced. "This is the Feast" by Diane Z. Shore is a great educational reference and one of the best children's books about the Thanksgiving holiday that I have read.

I've looked at quite a few Thanksgiving books, and this was the best one I could find to read to both a 3-year-old and a 9-year-old. I was looking for a description of the history of Thanksgiving (why we celebrate it), and the other books I found were either the "fairy tale" kind that totally glossed over everything but the good stuff, or the drier than a textbook kind. This was a happy medium, and both my kids like it. It was just detailed enough to give me an entry into explaining more to the 9-year-old, and "fun" enough to keep the 3-year-old entertained. Good book!

Opening with images of the Mayflower sailing across the ocean, This is the Feast guides young readers through the arrival of the Pilgrims in America and culminates with the first Thanksgiving. Simple rhyming text paired with light-filled illustrations brings the history of this time-honoured tradition to life. Written for 4 - 8-year-olds, Diane Shore's text avoids delving into graphic depictions of the hardships the Pilgrims experienced during their voyage and consequent arrival in America. Nor does she gloss over them, providing simple explanations of the difficulties and trials facing the Pilgrims. As an experienced children's author and frequent presenter in schools, Shore is well acquainted with the words that create satisfaction in the young heart. Her text is rhythmic and features repetitive elements. Nearly every rhyming couplet begins with the words "This is..." or "These are...". After three such couplets are written, Shore gathers three sets of couplets, starts with her traditional opening in the first couplet only, and closes with a cry of praise to God. Repetitive structures produce some of the strongest children's literature. Rhythm and rhyme feed the child's mind and satisfy the soul, This is the Feast excels in both. Megan Lloyd provides a superb compliment to the text with magnificent illustrations that are full of saturated colours and texture. She successfully uses light to create emotional tension throughout the story the illustrations accompany. The opening picture of the Mayflower on the sea is striking; the play of colours on the water and in the sky makes my heart soar. Her use of layering creates activity in the scenes and she absolutely excels in her detailed depictions of livestock and agriculture. The combination of her talent with Shore's words seals the deal on this title, raising my estimation of their work from good to superb. Many children's books fall short of historical accuracy and consistency in their illustrations but This is the Feast is far above such shoddy workmanship. For example, no forks are shown in eating scenes, only the occasional spoon. Upon first glance readers might be suspect of the shades chosen for clothing colours. Didn't the Pilgrims wear only black? This pervasive myth is historically inaccurate; the Pilgrims wore a variety of colours, though likely not as bright as our clothing due to the vegetable dyes used. To enhance the moods presented the dresses in dark colours are reserved for scenes depicting hardship and travail, while vibrant, jewel-like tones are used in scenes of rejoicing. Some of the colours are perhaps a bit on the bright side, but add to the delicious use of light throughout the illustrations that depict joy and freedom. Shore makes no efforts to disguise or minimize the strong spiritual drive that sent the Pilgrims to America in their search for the freedom to worship God according to their conscience. What a relief in a post-Christian society that is seeking to se