Eating the Plates - A Pilgrim Book of Food and Manners

This lively account draws young readers into the Pilgrims' daily life as it explores the food, customs, and manners of these early American settlers. Written in a straightforward and down-to-earth style, the book includes historical line drawings, savory descriptions of food preparations, and quotations from writers of the era.

About the author

Lucille Recht Penner was born in New York City and is an alumna of Barnard College. She has written 35 books for children on subjects ranging from dinosaurs to Native American food.

Summary

Penner's Pilgrims are heroes, and deservedly so. She takes the story of their crossing on the Mayflower and establishment of Plymouth Colony, and fleshes it out with all the distasteful, even disgusting, details of their struggle for survival. Everything that made life difficult in the 1600s is mentioned--the acceptance of insect infestation in one's hair, clothing, bed, and food; the lack of efficient implements for home construction; the danger of crossing the Atlantic on an open vessel; and the deadly aftermath of disease. The author makes it clear that without the Indians' help, these settlers would not have made it through their first year, dependent as they were on European agricultural methods not suited to the New World.

While Penner gives a complete picture of the Pilgrims' daily life, her prime focus is on food--what the people ate; how they raised, prepared, served, and preserved it. Her writing style has a light touch that makes this interesting reading, often with a wry slant. The book concludes with a ``Pilgrim Menu'' for readers to prepare with adult supervision. The illustrations include pen-and-ink drawings and lithographs that show period artifacts and various food items.

Product details

• Authors: Lucille Recht Penner, Penner Lucille Recht
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster N.Y.
• Languages: English
• Age Recommendation: ages 7 to 10
• Product format: Paperback / Softback
• Released: 01.09.1997
• EAN: 9780689815416
• ISBN: 978-0-689-81541-6
• No. of pages: 117
• Dimensions: 178 mm x 235 mm x 10 mm
• Weight: 227 g
• Illustrations: illustrations
• Subjects: Children's and young people's books > Non-fiction books / Non-fiction picture books > History, politics; Education and learning > Schoolbooks, general education schools; JUVENILE NONFICTION / Social Science / Sociology, Children’s / Teenage: General interest, Personal & social issues (Children's / Teenage), Children’s / Teenage: Personal and social topics, Children's / Teenage: general non-fiction, Educational: Social sciences, Educational: Social sciences, social studies, Educational: Citizenship and social education, Educational: Citizenship & social education, JUVENILE NONFICTION / Social Topics / General