THIS FIRST THANKSGIVING DAY: A Counting Story

In Melmed's (The Rainbabies) counting book, one Pilgrim boy "sit[s] in a tree,/ dreaming of the tall, strong ship/ on which he crossed the sea"; on the opposite page, two girls "dressed in deerskin,/ gathering nuts below,/ [giggle] as they tiptoe by,/ too shy to say hello." Although a passing reference to Squanto suggests collaboration, the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag remain segregated until the final scene. Buehner (It's a Spoon, Not a Shovel) captures the beauty of autumnal skies and oceanside landscapes, but the uninitiated may be confused about how these two groups came to share the Thanksgiving table. Ages 3-8. (Sept.)