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| ISBN: 9780763665845 Hardcover $17.99 |
At a young age, John Howland learned what it meant to take advantage of an opportunity. Leaving the docks of London on the Mayflower as an indentured servant to Pilgrim John Carver, John Howland little knew that he was embarking on the adventure of a lifetime. By his great good fortune, John survived falling overboard on the crossing of the Atlantic Ocean, and he earned his keep ashore by helping to scout a safe harbor and landing site for his bedraggled and ill shipmates. Would his luck continue to hold amid the dangers and adversity of the Pilgrims’ lives in New England? John Howland’s tale is masterfully told in his own voice, bringing an immediacy and young perspective to the oft-told Pilgrims’ story. P.J. Lynch captures this pivotal moment in American history in precise and exquisite detail, from the light on the froth of a breaking wave to the questioning voice of a teen in a new world.
My thoughts: This stunningly beautiful children's picture book brings a fresh voice to the usual Pilgrim, Mayflower, and Thanksgiving story. Based a real-life John Howland who as a young man-servant indentured to Pilgrim John Carver, tells his story in an easy-to-read and easy-to-listen to voice from the past.
During the harrowing journey across the Atlantic, the real John Howland actually fell off the ship, The Mayflower. It was a difficult crossing from the old world to the new world and that was only the beginning of the dangers and problems that would beset the Pilgrims once they landed in the new world.
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| Winter conditions were harsh and bitter cold with little food and much sickness |
The author and illustrator, P.J.Lynch has painstakingly represented each scene with meticulous detail, colors that invoke the darkness and troubles endured, and individual passions of the characters. Pictures that are to be treasured.
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| Wonderful minute detail in the London scene prior to sailing. |
This will be a wonderful addition to any library - home, public, school, or classroom. I envision the story being read aloud to young children and older readers reading it themselves. I can see children pouring over the pictures for hours. I can hear and see a teacher reading it aloud to a room full of students - perhaps a different section each day, and the children waiting expectantly for the next page to turn.
Yes, John Howland was a real person. One who signed the Mayflower Compact. One who lived, married, and died here in America where he helped in the early days of America's founding. A super book.
GIVEAWAY
Begins September 10 & ENDS October 1 @ 12:01 a.m. EDT.
Author & illustrator, P.J. Lynch, one of the most accomplished children’s book creators working today, has won the Kate Greenaway Medal twice and the Christopher Medal three times. His meticulous research brings impeccable detail to the twenty books he has illustrated, including The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey by Susan Wojciechowski, When Jessie Came Across the Sea by Amy Hest, A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens, and Mysterious Traveler by Mal Peet and Elspeth Graham. P.J. Lynch lives in Dublin.DISCLOSURE: I receive a complimentary copy from Candlewick Press to facilitate this review. Opinions are mine alone. I was not compensated for the review. Giveaway copy is provided by Candlewick and will be sent directly to the winner.
