Books

Sarah Morton has been living in the Plimoth colony in the New World for four years, she tells readers. Now age nine, we get one jam-packed day in her life. A Pilgrim girl, she speaks in the vernacular of 1627: "Come thee with me. Let me show thee how my days are," she invites. And thus we see her milking goats, cooking meals, learning her letters, playing knickers (marbles) with friends, reciting her Bible verses, and — in a fascinating sequence of ten pictures — getting dressed: her "overgarments," which include three petticoats and a separate pocket. Photographed on location at Plimoth Plantation, an actual living-history museum, the images are largely unposed and provide a historical verisimilitude with which young readers will easily connect. A recipe for cornbread is included, as well as a glossary, and biographical information about the real Sarah Morton, who traveled on the Mayflower and is mentioned in several Pilgrim journals. Patterned mauve end-papers contain a 17th century version of "Three Blind Mice" and three riddles that Sarah would have known. After absorbing this book, young readers may enjoy creating photo essays of their own life in the 21st century.