Just for Teachers
Bibliographies

Annotated Bibliography for Educators

Annotated Bibliography for Elementary Students

Annotated Bibliography for Secondary Students

Annotated Bibliography for Educators

Plymouth Colony Primary Sources

Highlighted titles are available for purchase

Bradford, William. Of Plymouth Plantation, 1620-1647. Edited by Samuel Morison. New York: Knopf, 1976.
The history of Plymouth to 1647, as recorded in the retrospective history of its second governor. Morison has edited the original text and modernized the spelling. Section titles/headings were added by Morison as were particularly good notes and appendices.

Bradford, William. Of Plymouth Plantation, 1620-1647. Introduction by Francis Murphy. New York: Random House, 1981.
Paperback edition of the Morison version with an introduction by Murphy. No appendices in this version, although notes and titles/headings are included.

Heath, Dwight B., ed. Mourt's Relation: A Journal of the Pilgrims at Plymouth. Cambridge/Boston: Applewood Books, 1986.
A modern reprint of the 1622 account of the emigration of the Pilgrims to New England and their first year in Plymouth Colony. With notes by the editor.

James, Sydney V., ed. Three Visitors to Early Plymouth. Plymouth, Mass.: Plimoth Plantation, Inc., 1963.
Letters of three early visitors to Plymouth, written between 1622-1627, about the town and their experiences there.

Josselyn, John. New England's Rarities Discovered. Bedford, Mass: Applewood Books, 1672. Reprint.
Originally published in 1672, this book was the first to identify New England animal and plant life, medicinal recipes of the Native Americans and other natural lore.

Morton, Nathaniel. New England Memorial. Bowie, MD: Heritage Books, Inc., 1855.
This work covers the early history of Plymouth and its founders, from 1620 to 1668. In addition to his firsthand accounts, the author transcribes writings from other reliable sources.

Wood, William. New England's Prospect. Amherst: University of Massachusetts Press, 1977.
Originally published in London in 1634, this was the first book to provide reliable first hand information on British America for prospective colonists. Particular attention is paid to Native culture and the environment.

Winslow, Edward. Good Newes from New England. 1624. Reprint. Bedford, Mass.: Applewood Books, 1996.
Originally published in 1624, this promotional tract helped persuade others to come and join the settlement in New England. Information on the Native Americans and their lifestyles as well as descriptions of the soil and climate of New England are included.

Other Primary Sources

Markham, Gervase. The English Housewife. Michael R. Best, ed.

Kingston: McGill-Queen's University Press, 1986.
Republished in modern English, this classic housewife's manual includes material on food preparation, medicine and brewing. Originally published in 1615.

Secondary Sources

*Caduto, Michael J. and Joseph Bruchac. Keepers Series. Golden, CO: Fulcrum Publishing, 1997. (Teacher's Guides available)
A wonderful series of books. Titles include Keepers of the Animals, Keepers of the Earth, Keepers of Life, and Keepers of the Night. Each book contains Native American stories and activities.

Cronon, William. Changes in the Land: Indians, Colonists, and the Ecology of New England. New York: Hill and Wang, 1983.
An excellent historical analysis of the Natives, colonists and their impact on the ecology of New England.

Demos, John. A Little Commonwealth: Family Life in Plymouth Colony. New York: Oxford University Press, 1970.
The classic work on family life in Plymouth Colony, with chapters on household structure and early childhood development.

Langdon, George D., Jr. Pilgrim Colony: A History of New Plymouth, 1620-1691. New Haven: Yale University Press, 1966. (Out of print).
A valuable secondary source and fine history of Plymouth Colony. Thorough coverage from the beginning of the Pilgrims' journey to the incorporation of Plymouth into the Massachusetts Bay Colony in 1692.

McIntyre, Ruth. Debts Hopeful and Desperate: Financing Plymouth Colony. Plymouth, Mass.: Plimoth Plantation, Inc., 1963.
Explanation of the financial arrangements for founding the colony and the colonists' subsequent financial problems.

Sherwood, Mary B. Pilgrim: A Biography of William Brewster. Falls Church, Virg: Great Oak Press of Virginia, 1982.
A good, readable biography of Plymouth Colony's first religious leader.

Stratton, Eugene Aubrey. Plymouth Colony: Its History and People, 1620-1691. Salt Lake City: Ancestry Publishing, 1986.
An excellent overview of the life of Plymouth Colony, including a bibliography and relevant historical records, such as passenger lists and the Mayflower Compact. Includes information on the early families and their descendants.

Thatcher-Ulrich, Laurel. Goodwives. New York: Vintage Books, a division of Random House, Inc., 1991.
Focuses on image and reality in the lives of women in Northern New England, 1650-1750.

Colonial Life for Children: Plimoth Plantation. Wynnewood, PA.: Schlessinger Media, 1998.
In this DVD, you will join two students as they blast back in time to Plimoth Plantation. Follow along as they visit with the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag to learn about daily life in 1620s Plymouth. Appropriate for elementary school children.

Mayflower II. Little Compton, R.I.: Fort Church Publishers, Inc., 1993.
A photographic journey on the Mayflower II, with scenes of daily life during the voyage of the Pilgrims. A brief overview of the Pilgrims' history and story as well as the project to rebuild the Mayflower is included.

Note: Books listed as "out of print" may be available at a library.

Wampanoag History and Culture

Gibson, Susan, ed. Burr's Hill. Providence, R.I.: Brown University Press, 1980.
Fascinating descriptions, drawings and photographs of artifacts found in a 17th-century Wampanoag archaeological site in eastern Rhode Island. Burr's Hill was the principal village of the Wampanoag sachem. Ousamequin, also known as Massasoit.

Lester, Joan. We're Still Here: Art of Indian New England. Boston Children's Museum, 1986.

Mills, Earl Sr. and Breen, Betty: Cape Cod Wampanoag Cookbook- Wampanoag Indian Recipes, Images and Lore. Clear Light Publishers, Santa Fe, NM., 2001.
Interesting and easy recipes for anyone who has ever visited Cape Cod (or wanted to). Also a good source of information about the Wampanoag , the People of the First Light.

Peters, Russell. The Wampanoag of Mashpee. Mashpee, Mass.: Indian Spiritual and Training Council, 1987.

Seal, Doris and Zslapin, Beverly; Books Without Bias: Through Indian Eyes. Berkeley, Calif.: Oyate, 1987.
A useful book for anyone who has questioned sources of information about Native Indigenous People. Gives guidance and suggestions to help you choose accurate books.

Plimoth Plantation Publications

A Field Guide to Plimoth Plantation. Plymouth, Mass.: Plimoth Plantation, Inc. 1995, revised 2002.
An award winning comprehensive guide to Plimoth Plantation and the history of Plymouth Colony. Designed to help prepare educators and students for a trip to the museum, it is also an invaluable resource for those who are unable to visit. Includes classroom activities and articles on the food, housing, clothing, and farming techniques of the colonists and the Wampanoag.

Baker, James W. Plimoth Plantation: Fifty Years of Living History. Plymouth, Mass.: Plimoth Plantation, Inc. 1997.
Chronicles, in text and photographs, the vibrant and changing history of Plimoth Plantation.

Investigating the First Thanksgiving. Plymouth, Mass.: Plimoth Plantation, Inc. 2003
This beautiful and comprehensive teacher's guide includes lesson plans, graphic organizers, study prints, and historical background materials. May be used with, or independently of, the You Are the Historian: Investigating the First Thanksgiving online activities.

Journey to the New World. Plymouth, Mass.: Plimoth Plantation, Inc. 1996.
This teacher's packet includes a wealth of information and interesting classroom activities that explore the voyage of the Pilgrims on the Mayflower . For the elementary classroom.

Life in 1627 Plymouth. Plymouth, Mass.: Plimoth Plantation, Inc. 1996.
A teacher's packet featuring historical articles and classroom activities focusing on daily life in 1627 Plymouth Colony. Includes information on Pilgrim clothing and an illustrated children's story.

The Making of a Colony. Plymouth, Mass.: Plimoth Plantation, Inc., 1995.
Using primary sources, this DVD and companion Teacher's Guide trace the journey of the Pilgrims from England and Holland to America. The Teacher's Guide includes several classroom activities.

Mayflower II. Little Compton, R.I.: Fort Church Publishers, Inc., 1993.
A photographic journey on the Mayflower II, featuring re-created scenes of daily life during the 1620 voyage of the colonists. Includes brief overviews of the Pilgrims' story and the rebuilding of the Mayflower.

People of the East: 17 th-century Wampanoag Life. Plymouth, Mass.: Plimoth Plantation, Inc. 1996.
This teacher's packet offers answers to often-asked historical questions on Wampanoag life. Includes information on traditional foods and clothing, as well on the responsibilities of family members. Includes classroom activities.

Plimoth Plantation: A Pictorial Guide. Plymouth, Mass.: Plimoth Plantation, Inc. 2008.
An overview of Plimoth Plantation's Museum sites, beautifully presented in full color photographs. Includes a brief overview of the Pilgrim story as well as information on the Wampanoag Homesite , the Carriage House Crafts Center, and Mayflower II.

The Thanksgiving Primer. Plymouth, Mass.: Plimoth Plantation, Inc., 1987.
Prepared by the Research Department at Plimoth Plantation, this book gives a background of the American Thanksgiving holiday and information on recreating the 1621 harvest festival for family, friends or church. Includes a menu and period recipes. Illustrated.

Annotated Bibliography for Elementary Students

Big Book Magazine. The Pilgrims. New York: Scholastic, 1996.
This "Big Book" includes photos taken from the award-winning books, Sarah Morton's Day and Samuel Eaton's Day. Supplemented with drawings, lesson plans, a worksheet, and paper dolls which show how Pilgrim children dressed. Suitable for young children.

Brother Eagle, Sister Sky. Penguin Putnam Books, 1991.
The message of Chief Seattle illustrated with paintings by Susan Jeffers.

Brown, Margaret Wise, ed. Homes in the Wilderness: A Pilgrim's Journal of Plymouth Plantation in 1620 by William Bradford and others of the Mayflower Company. 1932. Reprint. Amden, Conn.: Linnet Press, 1988.
Retold for young readers, this version of Mourt's Relation still retains the vigorous flavor of the 17th-century original. Illustrations contain minor anachronisms (such as buckles on the hats).

*Bruchac, Joseph, ed. The Circle of Thanks: Native American Poems and Sayings of Thanksgiving. Mahwah, N.J.: Bridge Water Books, 1996.
A collection of poems and writings gathered from various North American tribes, this book explores the Native American concept of Thanksgiving as a part of daily life, not just a single day of celebration each year.

*Bruchac, Joseph. Thirteen Moons on Turtle's Back: A Native American Year of Moons. New York: Philomel Books, 1992.
A collection of poems, based on Native American legends, which details the wonder of the seasons. Beautifully illustrated with paintings by Thomas Locker.

Cobblestones: Pilgrims to a New World. Volume 10, Number 11. Petersboro, N.H. Cobblestone Publishing, Inc., 1989. (Teacher's Guide available)
An easily readable and understandable magazine which includes articles on the Pilgrims' voyage, the hardships they encountered and their daily lives. "Interviews" with several Pilgrims and some interesting activities are included.

*Coombs, Linda. Powwow. Cleveland: Modern Curriculum Press, 1992.
A Wampanoag girl learns the importance of carrying on tradition and culture while at a powwow with her family.

Dalgleish, Alice. The Thanksgiving Story. New York: Athenaeum-Aladdin, 1954.
A mainly accurate account of the Pilgrims' journey to America and the hardships of the early settlement of Plymouth. A classic of children's literature.

Fritz, Jean. Who's That Stepping on Plymouth Rock? New York: Coward-McCann, Inc., 1975.
A look at the place of Plymouth Rock and the Pilgrims in American History. Large, easy to read text, some illustrations.

Harness, Cheryl. Three Young Pilgrims. New York: Bradbury Press, 1992.
A retelling of the Mayflower journey and the story of Plymouth Colony as seen through the eyes of the three Allerton children. A good story and resource for younger children.

*Jennings, Paulla. Strawberry Thanksgiving. Cleveland: Modern Curriculum Press, 1992. (Teacher's Guide available)
When a Narragansett brother and sister fight, their Grandmother resolves the conflict in the traditional manner by telling them the story of the origin of the strawberry.

Kroll, Steven. Oh, What a Thanksgiving! New York: Scholastic, 1988.
A nice account of a young boy thinking about the place of Plymouth in our modern Thanksgiving celebration.

Martin, Ann M. Babysitter's Little Sister: #91 Karen's Pilgrim. New York: Scholastic, Inc., 1997.
Karen wants her report on Thanksgiving to be extra special. She plans to show the class some great souvenirs from a family trip to Plimoth Plantation, but Karen's best enemy wants to ruin Karen's project.

Moger, Susan. Pilgrims: Complete Theme Unit Developed in Cooperation with Pilgrim Hall Museum. New York: Scholastic, 1995.
A well organized teacher's guide which covers many aspects of the Pilgrims' voyage on the Mayflower and first year in the settlement, including the ship, food, clothing, houses and history. Includes numerous classroom activities. The sections dedicated to Wampanoag culture may contain inaccuracies with respect to accepted or current Native viewpoints and interpretations.

Penner, Lucille Recht. The Pilgrims at Plymouth. Illustrated by S.D. Schindler. New York: Random House, 1996.
A delightful retelling of the Mayflower' s journey and the story of the first year of the Plymouth settlement. Prepared with guidance from Plimoth Plantation's Research Department.

*Peters, Russell. Clambake: A Wampanoag Tradition. Minneapolis: Lerner Publications, 1992.
A young Wampanoag boy and his grandfather prepare to host a clambake for their family and friends.

Roop, Connie and Peter. Pilgrim Voices: Our First Year in the New World. New York: Walker and Company, 1995.
Written in a diary format, this book follows the Pilgrims as they leave on their voyage and through their first year in the new Plymouth Colony. Based on the primary documents, Mourt's Relation and Bradford's Of Plymouth Plantation. Includes a glossary of unfamiliar words. Text and illustrations may be more suitable for older students.

Ross, Katharine. The Story of the Pilgrims. Illustrated by Carolyn Croll. New York: Random Housee, 1995.
A wonderful account of the Pilgrim's journey to American and the hardships of the early settlement of Plymouth. Describes the meeting of the Pilgrims and the Natives and their interaction. Prepared with the guidance of Plimoth Plantation's Research Department. Illustrations and large text make this book suitable for young children.

Sewall, Marcia. The Pilgrims of Plimoth. New York: Atheneum, 1986.
Chronicles, in text and illustrations, the day-to-day life of the colonists in the early years of Plymouth Colony.

Storypath. The Wampanoag and the First Thanksgiving. Chicago, Illinois: Everyday Learning Corporation, 1997.
This book examines the close relationship the Wampanoag had with the natural world and their awareness of its seasonal cycles. Includes a brief view of the Pilgrim's arrival in the New world and the interaction between the two peoples.

Swamp, Chief Jake. Giving Thanks: A Native American Good Morning Message. New York: Lee & Low Books, 1995.
A beautiful and ancient message of thanksgiving intended to encourage children to appreciate the natural world. Related by a contemporary Mohawk chief.

Van Leeuwen, Jean. Across the Wide Dark Sea: The Mayflower Journey. New York: Dial Books, 1995.
Told from a young boy's point of view, this book gives a new perspective to the Pilgrims' story. He relates the uncertainty and difficulties of the voyage, what he and the others will find in a new and strange land, as well as the hardships of the first winter.

Waters, Kate. Giving Thanks: The 1621 Harvest Feast. New York: Scholastic Press, 2001.
The latest in this series of books which are illustrated with photographs taken at Plimoth Plantation. This book shows what Plymouth's "First Thanksgiving" might have looked like through the eyes of two children, one Wampanoag and one an English colonist.

Waters, Kate. On the Mayflower: Voyage of the Ship's Apprentice and a Passenger Girl. Photographs by Russ Kendall. New York: Scholastic Press, 1996.
This book tells the story of two children on the Mayflower . The apprentice to the master of the ship befriends one of the young passenger girls and we see their daily responsibilities and life on board the ship during the voyage.

Waters, Kate. Sarah Morton's Day: A Day in the Life of a Pilgrim Girl. Photographs by Russ Kendall. New York: Scholastic, 1989.
A typical day of a young Pilgrim girl, beautifully enhanced with numerous color photographs taken at Plimoth Plantation.

Waters, Kate. Samuel Eaton's Day: A Day in the Life of A Pilgrim Boy. Photographs by Russ Kendall. New York: Scholastic, 1993.
The story of a day in the life of a seven year old Pilgrim boy, on his first day harvesting with his father. Includes photographs taken at Plimoth Plantation.

Waters, Kate. Tapenum's Day: A Wampanoag Indian Boy in Pilgrim Times. Photographs by Russ Kendall. New York: Scholastic, 1996.
The story of a young Wampanoag boy, Tapenum, who vows to train to become a pniese , a warrior counselor. Photographed at the Wampanoag Homesite at Plimoth Plantation.

Annotated Bibliography for Secondary Students;

Attaquin, Helen; Atkins, Cynthia; Bingham, Amelia; Jeffers Rachel; Jeffers, Lorenzo; Moran, Virginia; Red Wing; Widdis, Gladys, contributors. Wampanoag Cookery. Boston; American Science and Engineering; 1974.
Within these few pages is a wealth of knowledge, not just about Wampanoag recipes. The food and how it is prepared show the attitudes of the Wampanoag People towards Life.

Davis, Hadassah, translator and editor. What Cheer Netop! Bristol, R.I.: Haffenreffer Museum, Brown University, 1986.
Selections from Roger Williams' A Key to the Language of America (1643) with illustrations and modern notes. Although this work is about the Narragansett tribe, the illustrations and notes give a sense of the daily life of New England Native Americans.

Gibson, Susan, ed. Burr's Hill. Providence, R.I.: Brown University Press, 1980.
Fascinating descriptions, drawings and photographs of artifacts found in a 17th-century Wampanoag archaeological site in eastern Rhode Island. Burr's Hill was the principal village of the Wampanoag sachem, Ousamequin , also known as Massasoit.

Grace, Catherine O'Neill and Margaret M. Bruchac. 1621: A New Look at Thanksgiving. National Geographic Press, 2001.
Over the centuries, stories of Plymouth's "First Thanksgiving" have been told and retold. This book sets aside the myths and reexamines what the event may have been like for both the English colonists and the Wampanoag People. Lavishly illustrated with photographs taken at Plimoth Plantation.

Heath, Dwight B., ed. Mourt's Relation: A Journal of the Pilgrims at Plymouth. Cambridge/Boston: Applewood Books, 1986.
A modern reprint of the 1622 account of the emigration of the Pilgrims to New England and their first year in Plymouth Colony. With notes by the editor. The original work on which Homes in the Wilderness (Margaret Wise Brown) is based.

Lester, Joan. We're Still Here: Art of Indian New England. Boston: Children's Museum, 1986.
The companion catalog to an exhibition at Boston's Children's Museum, this book is a useful source of information on Southeastern New England Native American crafts and artwork as seen both traditionally and from a present day point of view.

Roop, Connie and Peter. Pilgrim Voices: Our First Year in the New World. New York: Walker and Company, 1995.
Written in diary format, this book follows the journey of the Pilgrims as they leave on their voyage and through their first year in the new Plymouth Colony. Based on the primary documents, Mourt's Relation and Bradford's Of Plymouth Plantation . Includes a glossary of unfamiliar words.

Sherwood, Mary B. Pilgrim: A Biography of William Brewster. Falls Church, VA .: Great Oak Press of Virginia, 1982.
A good, readable biography of Plymouth Colony's first religious leader.

The Thanksgiving Primer. Plymouth, Mass.: Plimoth Plantation, Inc., 1987.
Prepared by the Research Department at Plimoth Plantation, this book gives a background of the American Thanksgiving holiday and information on recreating the 1621 harvest festival for family, friends or church. Includes a menu and period recipes. Illustrated.

Winslow, Edward. Good Newes from New England. 1624. Reprint. Bedford, Mass.: Applewood Books, 1996.
Originally published in 1624, these letters helped persuade others to come and join the settlement in New England. Information on the Native Americans and their lifestyles as well as descriptions of the soil and climate of New England are included.