One Little, Two Little, Three Little Pilgrims

written by B.G. Hennessy
illustrated by Lynne Cravath

Children's book review by Sarah Denslow

Ages 3-8

Another singable Thanksgiving children's book

As you may have guessed from the title, One Little, Two Little, Three Little Pilgrims is a book to sing – to the tune of “One Little, Two Little, Three Little Soldiers” (or witches, or whatever version you may have learned).

Like Albuquerque Turkey, many verses have been added to this song to make it book length, and these verses tell of all the preparations the Pilgrims boys and girls and the Wampanoag boys and girls set about to make a Thanksgiving feast.

Turkeys are caught, vegetables are harvested, dishes are prepared.

Hennessy certainly highlights nature’s bounty in this book. Although the turkeys get a whole verse to themselves (one big, two big, three big turkeys, etc.), clams are dug, cod are caught, and turnips, carrots, and other vegetables are harvested.

(Webmaster's note: Visit also our children's books about healthy eating page.)

The book is a quick read (or sing, as the case may be). However, the illustrations make you want to spend much more time on each page than the lines of the song might suggest.

Cravath depicts a delightful, colorful world of Pilgrims and Indians. Although they tend towards the cartoonish rather than realistic, they are extremely detailed.

Overall, One Little, Two Little, Three Little Pilgrims is quite a fun book, whether you are singing it yourself or listening to your child sing it to you.

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